What do parents think of mainstream music?

By Alisha Bentley
Sherman High School

When it comes to music, there’s mainstream music and what most teens would consider old music. Mainstream music is what you hear on the radio - things like rock, rap and country.

Some parents may not find their children’s music appealing so they might listen to bands and artists that were popular while they were growing up. There are also types of music that most teens will never understand such as bluegrass, jazz and blues. So in a world full of popular music, what do parents choose to listen to?

“I listen to mainstream music because my girls listen to it,” said Angie Turner of Whitesville, the mother of teenage daughters.

“I do listen to mainstream music but I mainly listen to the beat of the songs,” said Cheryl Vance of Ashford.

However, not all parents find today’s music entertaining. Cheryl’s husband Ron said, “No, I don’t listen to mainstream music. I listen to bluegrass and old rock because I enjoy the sounds of the instruments.”

But even though some parents may not be interested in mainstream music, they are surrounded by it. It’s played in most movies and on TV, and it’s what their children listen to. This makes you wonder if they would ever consider listening to it

“No, I would never consider listening to mainstream music because I’m just not interested in it,” Ron Vance said.

On the other hand, if parents do listen to mainstream music, do they think their children consider them cool because of it? Ron Vance doubts it.

“I don’t think it would affect their opinion on me just because of the music I choose,” he said.

Turner agreed. “No, I don’t think they judge me by what music I listen to. I just enjoy listening to the music that my kids listen to.”

However, some parents may have a better relationship with their kids if they listen to the same music because it may help them to communicate better. “My kids might consider me a cool parent since we listen to the same music because we sometimes discuss certain songs. This makes me feel connected in a small way,” said Cheryl Vance.

Even though not all parents listen to the same music that their kids do, maybe communication can still be achieved. If you’re a parent, try talking to your children about the type of music that you listen to.

And if you’re a teen, you can do the same. If you have a certain song or band that you like, and your parents appreciate music, ask them to listen to a song or two. Communication between parents and teens is important and sometimes music may be able to help with that communication.