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Rap Music Warps the Souls of Kids

Dr. Domenick J. Maglio, Ph.D. Neo-Traditionalist

In the world of Rap music children from all backgrounds are being inundated with dehumanizing images. They are relentlessly desensitized with word messages, which are attached to a powerful beat and pornographic videos that warp their sensibilities.

There are no better recruiters and corrupters for the porn industry than rappers. When you hear your child singing Eminem’s “Shake That”, the fourth most downloaded song on the internet, or 50 Cent’s song “Candy Shop” be forewarned that your child is reciting words that graphically depict oral sex. In “Shake That”, it says, “I’m a menace, a dentist an oral hygienist. Open your mouth for four or five minutes. Take a little bit of this fluoride rinse. Swish but don’t spit it, swallow, and now finish. Yeaahh!” These rap songs are the major reason today’s youngsters do not think oral sex is having sex.

Other rapper’s themes include violence against women, killing cops, anal sex, glorifying drugs and other perversions. The music videos of the raps make it easier for kids to understand the evil lyrics.

In the midst of this cultural assault, parents are naďve to believe their honor students are on the right track to be honorable citizens. They often realize too late that children possess moral values radically different from those of the adult world. This is not surprising considering they have been systematically altered by sound and video waves. The honor student’s outward behavior, mannerisms and dress are often satisfactory although they have been contaminated by this cultural debauchery. In the recent past teenagers reacted against the standards and expectations of their parents.

The pop music culture has been a powerful influence driving young girls hysterical from Frank Sinatra’s ballads to Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips. The rebellion against parents was acted out in smoking cigarettes, dressing in black leather jackets and short skirts and driving hot rod cars. In the past the rebellion was in the open over hurrying to be an adult. Conflict existed between parents and children, though neither to the degree nor destruction of society’s moral code, it does today. Today, children appear to be revolting against all of adult society not merely their parents.

Modern kids do not have to leave their homes to be influenced by horrific forces. These mind-altering experiences are entering unnoticed by most preoccupied parents. Children living even in the most affluent gated communities and attending the most prestigious schools are exposed to the same disgusting images as children surviving in the vilest slums. The difference is the less privileged child understands the reality of being trapped in the ghetto while the protected child is merely a “wannabee”. These wannabees are most easily indoctrinated in the glorification of an abusive existence based on exploitive sex, violence and drugs.

The pimp gangster and conniving slut become the role models replacing the less than hip mother and father. Parents attempting to be accepted by their children overlook many disturbing behavioral signals of their children that should be explored and ultimately extinguished. Penetrating the superficial exterior of one’s child takes a courageous, responsible and involved parent. Let the child earn your trust. Giving a blank check to one’s child for electronics with permission to use them at will is a recipe for a morally lost child due to our “in your face’ immoral media.

Parents, this insidious attack on your children can be combated although with considerable effort. You cannot be reactive. You must be proactive by preventing as much as possible their exposure to the Rap hedonistic subculture. Take away their unsupervised access to IPods, TVs and computers. If the children are going to have these instruments of brain washing take them from their bedrooms and put them in the middle of the living room of your home.

In this media driven world, children cannot be allowed to have a “right to privacy”. When you allow them what they think they deserve, a constitutional right to privacy, you are committing child neglect. You are no less guilty than a parent who leaves their kids alone in a red-light district.

Strong involvement with parents is necessary for raising healthy children. By speaking to them directly about the evils of promiscuity, gangsterism and addiction you can inoculate them against the onslaught of the media. Watching TV and movies together pointing out the scenes that glorify the tragedy of living this life style will open their eyes to the reality of choosing this path. Remember you are not attempting to be “cool” in these interactions with your children. Rather you want to convince your child that there are dire consequences in attempting to be a self-destructive deviant.

It is either you or a perverted celebrity affecting your child’s future. A mature adult whose sole concern is the well-being of a loved one can make all the difference in the world. Don’t wait until it is too late.