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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Worry about my teenager

39 replies

onionsndsage · 05/02/2021 23:25

My son is 17, he has aspergers and ADHD. He can react quite loudly and can get upset when he disagrees with us.

I'm very worried about the music he's listening to (always through earphones) I only found out by accident the type of music it is. It's full of the worst swearing you can imagine and describes very graphically the sexual things going on. It made me feel sick. I tried calmly to explain why this sort of stuff is harmful and definitely not what I'm happy for him to listen to. I've told him I'm stopping his Spotify and he says he will just use you tube. His response was actually very scary, I'm worried he's addicted to it, he certainly came across as though he needed to listen to it, trying to justify that it's fine because everyone else does. I've threatened to switch off the wifi but he needs it for school work. I hate being in this situation, I don't want to provide the means for him to listen to such nasty material. I didn't even know it existed. I know he likes to listen to music when studying as he says it helps him focus, he's doing well at school and I believe him that it might help, but not this. He's over 6ft and scares me sometimes when he's melting down etc, what am I to do? I'm pretty sure I'm not be unreasonable to not want this to go on?

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Sparklesocks · 05/02/2021 23:27

Do you know which bands he’s listening to?

TheChip · 05/02/2021 23:33

When I was in my teens the music I was listening to was horrendous, the lyrics and the language. It didn't change my outlook on life or prevent me from knowing right from wrong etc.

He may not even pay much attention to the words and getting more from the beats.
At 17, I really don't think id think too much into it and just accept you have different taste in music, maybe?

Serin · 05/02/2021 23:34

How do you know what he is listening to? I have an 18 and 19 year old and have no clue about their musical tastes.

Serin · 05/02/2021 23:35

The being afraid of him is a different matter though, what does he do to scare you?

Flipper39 · 05/02/2021 23:46

If I’m honest, your approach comes across as somewhat controlling. I don’t have any experience of dealing with children with Aspergers or ADHD but My feeling would be that perhaps the content is suggesting room for discussion and debate rather than outright disapproval. If the content involved issues that you’d disapprove / disagree with perhaps they could provide fodder for discussion where you can air your opinions and he can reflect his, allowing him to reach his own opinions rather than just forcing yours. He is 17 which means that very soon he will be out of your ‘control’ and the way forward may be to establish a successful adult relationship with him. He will always be able to access this sort of music by some form or other and you can’t stop him, but you can make him think, talk about it, consider it’s impact on himself and others etc.

onionsndsage · 05/02/2021 23:47

I've asked him before and others have just out of interest what he's listening to at the moment and his secretive and vague reaction raised my suspicions. I know what he is listening to now because I have access to the account as I am paying for it. I didn't think this sort of stuff existed so I thought it wasn't something I'd need to keep an eye on. He can be naive about things because of his Aspergers and it's my job as his mom to point things out and protect him. It's a bit like the porn issues kids have, they become desensitised and think it's normal but this is serious stuff.

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onionsndsage · 05/02/2021 23:50

I have spoken to him on different occasions and approached it with caution and reason but it always ends up in meltdowns. Yes he's 17 but not a worldly one so to speak.

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Feelingconfused2020 · 05/02/2021 23:50

I'd be interested to know what the music is as it might help to know whether you are overreacting. I think it's normal for teenagers and doubt I'd be worried too much but maybe the music.is.worse than I'm imagining?

Take the ADHD and Asperger's out if it and your talking about a teenager listening to inappropriate music. It's not a new problem, let's face it.

TheChip · 05/02/2021 23:52

Are they meltdowns though, or are they reactions because you are trying to control him? He is almost an adult and you are trying to tell him what he can and can't like.

onionsndsage · 06/02/2021 00:02

The content worries me. Alot of it is degrading towards women. I'm not sure if people replying have actually heard this type of music. It's not the occasion f word.

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onionsndsage · 06/02/2021 00:05

Here is an example if you have a method of listening to it,
Mr Traumatik - I love females

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LimitIsUp · 06/02/2021 00:14

I've just googled the lyrics to that song and they are horrendous

I was going to say that you are maybe overreacting and shouldn't be so controlling - but now I've seen the lyrics I can see why you are concerned

Flipper39 · 06/02/2021 00:15

I too would be interested to know what exactly the music is as my idea of ‘normal but not nice’ may be completely different to yours and it completely changes the context of the response. The fact that it is on Spotify makes me think is is ‘acceptable’ to some parts of society. Either way, the fact that he may leave home fairly soon means that this is the time to build trust and honest communication with him rather than punishments or threats. Even if he doesn’t agree with you, if he is able to listen / talk with you, you may find a very different child in 5 years if so. Have faith in yourself and your ability to influence him, even if it doesn’t feel like it and you have to wait some years for the result.

TheChip · 06/02/2021 00:18

Yep those lyrics are quite disgusting. But other than speaking to him and seeing if he understands what is wrong with the lyrics, I dont believe there is much you can or should do.

He may not even be interested in the lyrics, it could be the beat.

babbaloushka · 06/02/2021 00:20

I've heard some Mr Traumatik, I think it was 'Let's get naughty', some of the lyrics include:

I'm not wasting time I leave her clit all covered in drips
I don't wank and vomit but I'm still coming in sick
I masturbate and ejaculate in a pasta bake and then come on her tits
I leave some on her hips, and I leave some on her waist
I'm a dirty nympho I link one of your mates

It's very full on stuff, I know one of my DDs said it was the sort of thing they play at house parties and raves, and made me listen to have a laugh. Would be more concerned if it's a teen with ASD listening to it alone and possibly taking the lyrics seriously, if you see what I mean.

Not much advice I'm afraid, but I think you're right to be cautious. Not a case of "you're too old to get it". I hope more posters can offer better ideas.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 06/02/2021 00:20

Omg ok that stuff is awful. What's his internet history like? Any red pill sites, incel sort of stuff? Serious mysogyny there. Envy

babbaloushka · 06/02/2021 00:24

@HoneysuckIejasmine

Omg ok that stuff is awful. What's his internet history like? Any red pill sites, incel sort of stuff? Serious mysogyny there. Envy
That's what I was thinking, check for intel/pick up artist type sites. Recommend 'Men who hate women' by Laura Bates if you want to understand it better, but I think autistic teens are vulnerable to these communities, as they prey on insecurity and lack of social ability. (that is not to say your DS is a man who hates women, it's about the communities)
Maskedcrusader · 06/02/2021 00:25

Sadly these lyrics are more mainstream now. Cardi b Wap, even driving this morning Rihanna on the radio ' beats me black & blue but he fucks me so good!. I guess all you can do is tell him why you are so concerned & maybe a good conversation will come out if it. Its more extreme now but haven't parents always frowned upon teens musical choices.

OnwardsEverStridingOnwards · 06/02/2021 00:34

@onionsndsage

Here is an example if you have a method of listening to it, Mr Traumatik - I love females
The lyrics of that song are vile, I can see why you're worried.

As others said, he just might like the beat/construction of the song, rather than the lyrics. I would have a word with him, if you can, and explain your concerns.

onionsndsage · 06/02/2021 00:36

@HoneysuckIejasmine

Omg ok that stuff is awful. What's his internet history like? Any red pill sites, incel sort of stuff? Serious mysogyny there. Envy
Omg what do you mean? I'm going to have to look up what you are asking, now I'm feeling old
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Silencia · 06/02/2021 02:04

Aspie (I prefer HFA) mum of a much younger suspected HFA boy here and I think I get some of your concerns. I was easily led/pulled into strong obsessions at your son's age so I suppose an issue to consider might be how healthy his peer group's views of women (or people generally) are - whether the music (I haven't listened) could be symptomatic of something that could become a wider problem, if that makes any sense. As I am sure you know (but others on the thread may not) even high functioning individuals on the spectrum can have real struggles with peer relationships and be vulnerable to bullying and exploitation. It is also easy to fall in with people who aren't the best just because they act like they accept us. We can also take things literally when they may just be dramatic posturing for others.

In terms of the meltdowns I would wonder about how important identifying with this music (or using it as a means to be accepted in a particular peer group) is for your son. But (from painful experience) he could equally be vulnerable in a group built around politics, religion, programming, gaming or whatever else if the group itself was an unhealthy one, if that makes sense?

Alternatively of course it could be a special interest. From my own experience it feels pretty tortuous to be unable to indulge in my own special interests - it is like sleeping or eating (which I will happily forgo for extended periods without even noticing, in favour of the interests!) In my 40s, I am far more able to self regulate than in my teens, but when I was unable to pursue an interest due to the location in question permanently closing, I experienced strong grief, like a death. I cried for days. I don't do involuntary change about (what I feel as) important stuff easily, even when it's no big deal to others. And that tends to be part of the aspie profile.

I don't know how ADHD complicates things but I wonder how your son would react to you as non judgementally as possible asking him what the music means to him and whether it is more about relaxing, belonging or something else? It might not work, but it could help you to help him understand situations he might find himself in, again if that makes sense? That connection may be more important than this particular battle in the long run. Once he grows up and moves out he will likely still need support to understand the world he finds himself in. Do you have any external support around his diagnosis? (Some charities provide peer support).

I'm not looking forward to being in your position - I am sure it will come, with music or something else. If it is any consolation, when I went away to uni and made a new group of friends my interests changed a lot when my routine changed. I also worry about my son attracting some of the painful experiences I have had - but at the same time, I know I lived through them. It's amazing the amount of resilience you pretty much have to develop by the age of 17 as an aspie just to survive to that point in school. (Possibly also worth mentioning that my special interests are a lot like a release valve for stress - they let me block it out for a while. If that is what is going on with your son, lockdown might be an especially difficult time to be without his music. For me, obsessing about special interests can be one of my first indicators that I am under a lot of stress, even if there are no other obvious signs. I don't emote in a typical way.)

Oh, and again I am no expert on ADHD, but at 17 I thought I needed music to study. A few postgrads later I know that for me anything but utter silence is a massive distraction because I tune to the aural input over what I am reading and the change in songs interrupts my concentration. Your son's profile may be the opposite of course, but at 20 I completely convinced myself I needed to do my special interest to focus while studying. What was actually happening was that I found studying stressful, needed to build in time for the special interest as a release, but felt I had to optimise the study time (all or nothing) so did both simultaneously and very much non optimally. That may not be what is happening, but it's not impossible. Are there other ways your son could be helped to recognise/mitigate his stress levels if that is what is leading to the obsessive behaviour?

Sorry this is so long - I hope some of it is helpful, though. Good luck!

Silencia · 06/02/2021 02:13

Sorry as well if you already understand all the stuff I said as you have years of experience of parenting your son. Others have put things a lot more succinctly than I could - having now seen the lyrics I would absolutely be worried, whether this is stress release/special interest or fitting in.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 06/02/2021 07:57

Incels are a community of "involuntary celibate" men, often only teenagers themselves, who think women owe them sex. It starts usually with feeling a bit rejected and descends from there is to proper disgusting stuff where they view women as good only to sex and reproduction, and dehumanise them completely. It's a predatory group, reeling in young vulnerable people by giving them a sense of community.

Red pill is a woman hating community, see www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/14/the-red-pill-reddit-modern-misogyny-manosphere-men

onionsndsage · 06/02/2021 08:18

Thankyou all so much for pointing out things I had no clue were out there.

It's difficult with my son being 17 and I do try to trust him and give him personal space but in the past things have gone to far and I've had to step in and was so glad I was being nosey, so I feel I do need to keep an eye on what he's doing. He has no close physical friends, there are non I get to meet, I hate having to look into what he's been doing but he is vulnerable because of his Aspergers.

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onionsndsage · 06/02/2021 08:20

Silencia Thankyou for sharing your personal struggles it means a lot

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