In all fairness, I have no children but if I do, my children would be exposed to the types of music I listen to at a young age.
I say this because sometimes, lets be honest, music today can be crap. And when I mean about crap is that they mostly talk about sex, drugs, butts and violence. Some music are quality with messages don't get me wrong, but its a matter of the environment you grow up in.
As a young girl, my father would play songs as old as I am, maybe even older like Bread or the Beatles or even Simon and Garfunkle. And I was born in the generation where Westlife and Backstreet Boys were a hit! Thank goodness I was a nineties baby, but what people my age don't understand is that I'm not a hopeless romantic who just listens to these old love songs, I love music especially those with a story, those with quality.
People often sexualize songs as if they're simply noise in the background, they're not, and todays music is pretty much those kind of music you question how they are even 'a thing'.
Anyway, my father would always play these type of songs and as I grew older I look for these kinds of songs: slow, mushy, cute, heartfelt, and I began to listen to them on my own.
Its not a surprise that when you are exposed to a songs in your youth you'll appreciate these kinds of songs too, its not that I dont listen to modern songs, I actually do, its just that some people will over generalize it and assume you're a hopeless romantic or tell you in your face that you dont listen to other songs.
Just the other day I was watching this show and this lady told a story of how she used to play these music to her son and as he grew older he began singing them. Today this millenial is a famous hearthrob who enjoys songs older than he is.
In the same respect my brother and I are the same. Because we are not that much apart in age, we have similar tastes in music despite our contrasting personalities.
In the same manner I would want to encourage my future children to love the kinds of songs older than them yet are quality and inspirational. Of course I wont force them to like it but rather expose it to them, if they acquire a taste for it, then great. If they don't, at least they know what they like. This could be a lesson to christian parents as well.
If you want your children to adopt a healthy musical taste, expose them to songs that promote purity and encourage the faith in the Lord by listening to them as well. I'd do that. I could imagine myself blasting my playlist of Owl City, Hillsong United, and Casting Crowns while I prepare breakfast or while my children are sitting on the counter munching on their cereal.
Just a thought.
- Jen.
