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Original poster

Would really appreciate your opinions

32 replies

jco · 31/01/2006 18:25

Hello, my 7 year old daughter and two of her friends are entering the school talent show in a few weeks. one of her friends who is also 7 has decided that they should sing "my humps" by the black eyed peas.

Given that this is a very sexual song I think its highly inappropriate for three 7 year olds to be singing. I mentioned this to one of the other mums and said that I would not allow my daughter to sing it. The other mum said i was being stupid and because they are too young to understand the meaning then its ok for them to perform it.

Now i'm wondering if i'm being daft but i just don't think its right for a 7 year old to be singing and dancing to such a sexy song. Am i being old unreasonable???

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cod · 31/01/2006 18:25

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mummytosteven · 31/01/2006 18:26

yuck to "my humps" - I agree with you!

cod · 31/01/2006 18:27

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gossifer · 31/01/2006 18:27

totally agree with you, what a way to treat kids, 'they don't understand it so it doesn't matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

DominiConnor · 31/01/2006 18:30

Given that the 7 year olds already know the song, does it change anything ?
That being said, kids don't really "know" the lyrics of the songs they sing, they're just noises, indeed they run them together in ways that make them hard to understand let alone be influenced by.

I had heard the lyrics of the songs from "Grease" many many times without realising that they aren't at all innocent songs of youth.

QE2 · 31/01/2006 18:30

No, I would put my foot down on this too. Highly innappropriate imo.

Stick to your guns.

lars · 31/01/2006 18:30

Two different opinions - tricky one!!!

I think the other parent should respect your views and surely there is a song that is suitable for both of parents and the children.

I think you do have a point. larsxx

Troutpout · 31/01/2006 18:31

No..you are not...other mum is...and she's the stoopid one

harpsichordcarrier · 31/01/2006 18:31

no, I would be extremely uncomfortable in hearing a child sing this
and I would not let my child sing it in a talent show
you are absolutely right

Miaou · 31/01/2006 18:33

no

Regardless of whether the kids understand it, the audience will, and it will make everyone feel very uncomfortable

and who knows what moves they might come up with to go with the song (i guess there is a video with sexy dancing on which they may emulate?)

SorenLorensen · 31/01/2006 18:33

I take it the song is not about camels?

harpsichordcarrier · 31/01/2006 18:34

soren lorenson you get posher every day..

Aloha · 31/01/2006 18:35

You are right, the other mother is wrong. Easy!

At my stepdaughter's summer concert a few years ago, two eleven year olds were writhing about to Lady Marmalade, which left dh absolutely shocked to the core! Ridiculously inappropriate!

tillykins · 31/01/2006 18:35

yuck!
Not at all appropriate for children of 7 - and I agree, what sort of dance will they come up with, to go along with it
Definitely agree with you jco and am quite surprised that this other mother would not be concerned
Have you spoken to the mother of the third child?

Original poster
jco · 31/01/2006 18:35

thanks folk's, that makes me feel better! this other mum made me feel like i was being really stupid. she said i can't protect their innocence for ever!!!! But they're 7 years old, just little girls, surely its right to protect their innocence!

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QE2 · 31/01/2006 18:36

re the Grease thing - ok the songs may not have been totally innocent when you actually understand what the lyrics mean. If you are not of an age to interpret them that way, then it will go right over your head anyway.

Songs such as "my humps" are overtly sexual and therefore not suitable.

DominiConnor - Would you say that just because they have heard Eminem's lyrics and have heard all the effing and blinding in his songs that it would then be ok to sing in front of a load of parents and other kids?

colditz · 31/01/2006 18:38

Oh I hate hate hate this song, I hate it! You are absolutely right not to let your daughter get involved in that song, if the other mother wants to let her daughter strut about like a Lolita on the stage that's her problem, not yours.

Yhis is the only subject to make me feel old, and I am only 25.

the other mothe ris brainless, IMHO!

Original poster
jco · 31/01/2006 18:38

I did speak to the third mother but she just sat on the fence, think she didn't want to upset the other mum. Usually I can see other peoples point of view but can't understand how anybody could find it appropriate

OP posts:
tillykins · 31/01/2006 18:49

Well, if you have put your foot down, they will just have to find another more suitable song
Something from Annie should do it

Original poster
jco · 31/01/2006 19:11

Cod thats so funny!!!!!!

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Original poster
jco · 31/01/2006 19:12

tillykins you are so on my wavelength!!! Annie was my favourite film when i was a little girl and now my daughter loves in too!

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mandieb · 31/01/2006 19:15

NO NO NO NO NO its not nice hearing little girls sing that sort of thing .

Original poster
jco · 31/01/2006 19:30

thanks for all your comments, its like having my own team of experts at hand!!! you're all fab! x

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nannyme · 31/01/2006 19:33

Rude mother of other child. Makes sense though since surely the issue here (after considering that, as dominiconnor said, the girls already know the words regardless of whether they understand it) is that others may find it offensive and for anybody to be performing potentially offensive material is disrespectful to their audience if that audience is not of an age to make an informed choice about whether to listen.

Other mother will not 'get' this as respect is a notion currently not registering in said mother's brain - hence the response you got!

Whether or not the content of said song is that offensive is a separate matter, but if it raised doubt in you I am sure there is the possibility it will raise eyebrows in others!

My plan would be to parody the song with an attempt to redress the balance in terms of song and video which perpetuates the idea that women's bodies are their only worthy asset. She may win the competition with a bit of genuine 'girl power'!!

MaggieT · 31/01/2006 19:36

I think the audience would be pretty shocked too. Not my idea of happily watching a talent show of primary school children