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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Should I let my son be a Michael Jackson fan?

66 replies

lee1103 · 01/08/2013 01:47

My son wants to listen to a Michael Jackson album but i'm not sure If I feel comfortable letting him endorse such a sick and twisted man. I know he argues that it's about the music, but I just don't want his essence or image in my home.

Should I stick to my guns and ban any Michael Jackson content? or should he be allowed to listen to it?

OP posts:
notanyanymore · 01/08/2013 01:52

If you don't want it in your house just say no... In the happy knowledge he'll just listen to it else where and have learnt a very valuable lesson to lie to his mum over the most insignificant of things as she is not open to discussion and does not value his views.
HTH

rubyrubyruby · 01/08/2013 01:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhSoVintage · 01/08/2013 02:08

He's dead so what risk is he exactly to your son? and although many may disagree I actually just think the whole thing was a very tragic story about what life in the spotlight can do at such a young age. I don't think he was sick and twisted but lost and very very naive, longing for his lost childhood but no one will know the truth. Could be wrong but he's not here to defend himself.

However whatever anyone thinks about him he was a very talented artist and his songs actually give out very positive messages.

I can think of more important things to save your battles for than listening to Michael Jackson!!!

BOF · 01/08/2013 02:10

The music is still, to a greater or lesser extent, art, which is part of any popular music education. It is possible to appreciate the music, and put it in context. Wagner is associated with the Nazis, but it shouldn't mean that his work is ostracised. In the current time, however, I would not be comfortable with adulating the work of the still-living Roman Polanski.

You can still inform him of the reality of his biography.

Lots of artists and public figures from the past have been less than salubrious.

It could be an interesting debate about how far you can separate the artist from the art.

Banning stuff is rarely productive.

sonlypuppyfat · 01/08/2013 02:12

I think Michael was a very damaged man but musically brilliant, if you start down this road where would it stop. Banning him from looking at any art work or reading any poetry or watching any films because someone was a bit dodgy who had any part of it? Get a grip.

GiraffesAndButterflies · 01/08/2013 02:53

How exactly is MJ's 'essence' going to be in your home OP?

WafflyVersatile · 01/08/2013 03:04

Maybe they give a free sachet of Michael Jackson memorial sperm with each album.

I hope Brahms didn't use opium. Imagine all those babies listening to Brahms lullaby.

k2togm1 · 01/08/2013 03:47

Grin Are you serious op? I am a music teacher and tell you there needs to be some mj in your son's life!

belatedmaybe · 01/08/2013 04:25

Do you read the daily mail op?

Our local school recently used an mj song for a performance. The children were excellent and, so far, appear unharmed by the experience.

I listen to lots of music and never feel the need to delve into the artists past/politics or whatever. The fact that I like a song doesn't mean I like/agree with/support the person singing it.

nooka · 01/08/2013 04:36

Assuming that your son is a teenager (as you've posted in teens) it seems very odd to be attempting this level of control. Fair enough to say that you personally don't want to listen to Michael Jackson (plenty of stuff I tell my 12 year old I don't want to hear) and to give the reasons why, but your son also has a right to listen to the music he likes in his home surely?

The man is long dead so he is hardly going to pollute you or your son, and any royalties will be going to his children who I presume you don't have an issue with?

NatashaBee · 01/08/2013 08:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 01/08/2013 08:17

Let him listen to it. Headphones if it bothers you.

BackforGood · 01/08/2013 19:14

Surely this isn't a serious post - you're winding us up aren't you ?

amumthatcares · 01/08/2013 19:52

I can't actually believe this is a serious post either, but assuming it is:

Whatever your opinion about MJ, he was a talented musician and produced some wonderful work. I can't think of anything that will harm your DS by listening to his music.

I would have more of an issue with my DD listening to songs that spout controversial, small minded messages and foul language than MJ!

CockyFox · 01/08/2013 19:55

I can think of far far worse for a teenage boy to listen to to be honest and I can't stand Michael Jackson's voice.

LifeIsSoDifferent · 01/08/2013 20:00

I completely agree with notanyanymore and btw you can't "not allow" him to be a fan he will be one of he likes his music and you can't control that.

LittleBearPad · 01/08/2013 20:05

MJ was a brilliant artist. He was also deeply troubled however his music should be allowed to speak for itself.
[anyone else got an mj song in their head now]

runningonwillpower · 01/08/2013 20:08

If you can't divorce the artist from the work (whatever the medium) then you are bound for a life of censorship (which I don't agree with) and mediocrity.

Bowlersarm · 01/08/2013 20:11

Eh? So if you don't let him he'll just be out of the house more listening to it at a mates house, a park or the library.

I don't you'll be able to control what music he listens to.

ZingWidge · 01/08/2013 20:15

"You're bad you're bad you're really really bad!
Who's bad!"

ihearsounds · 01/08/2013 20:16

Is it just MJ or all the Jacksons?
In what way was he sick and twisted?

HeySoulSister · 01/08/2013 20:18

Ha ha how would you stop it? Or even know if he's on YouTube etc listening to it?

ihearsounds · 01/08/2013 20:19

But I tell you what is freaky. After I posted Billy Jean started playing on my ipod.

ZingWidge · 01/08/2013 20:19

*I'm looking at the man in the mirror! "

Stropzilla · 01/08/2013 20:21

Is he asking you to change your ways?

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