A new study like that comes out every few years. They've been saying this since rock and roll became popular in the 50s. Teens are curious about sex. If given the opportunity they will have sex. This will happen with or without music. The best thing we as parents can do is be an active part of our kid's lives, watch them as close as we can without getting weird, and hope they listen to what we've tried to teach them.
I listened to hard rock and heavy metal as a kid. A parent once called my Mom and expressed concern over the "violent and satanic lyrics." My Mom laughed, explained the relationship of shock value and record sales to this person, and told her she knew what I listened to because she bought it for me. We listened to it together, talked about the freaky stuff, and moved on. Mom saw weird music no differently than watching a slasher flick. It's make believe. She also knew that she had taught me about right vs. wrong and real vs. fantasy a long time before I became a teenager.
I have noticed that artists are pushing the limits of shock a lot though. I always thought I would be open minded and cool like my Mom. Then my younger brother brought a CD home that was by a band that I can best describe as, the most zealous and devote group of satanists I've ever heard. Their music and imagery so bother me that I forbid my brother to play it on my stereo or anywhere near me. It was at this point that I knew I was getting older. lol
Now I'm a Dad. My daughter is into rap and hip hop. Aside from a song or two by a couple of artists, I pretty much can't stand the stuff. I find it to be annoying, one dimensional and without any real claim to be called music. Anyone who knows how to string words that rhyme together in a simple rhythm and say them over a sampled cut of an established good song in the studio can sell a million CDs. This is a true insult to musicians who can actually sing and play an instrument. If anyone is doubting the validity of my point, listen to Kanye's hit "Heartless" on CD. Then YouTube his recent American Idol live performance of the same song. Without the polishing of studio magic, Kanye sounded worse than Roseanne Barr doing our national anthem. He has no real talent, but is a millionaire. He's not the only one and it's pathetic IMO.
I'm now going to get back on topic. lol
Despite my great disdain for my daughter's musical choice and the behavior that comes with it, ie: the "gangsta/hustla/diva" attitude and assorted BS, the total butchering of the English language, I try and remain tolerant. After all, I once had hair to the middle of my back, wore nothing but Levi's and black t-shirts, thought knee high moccasin boots were cool, and wore bandannas tied around my leg. I was a rock and roll rebel. lol
Then I heard the lyrics to some of the stuff she was listening to...OMG! It was like "Porn" the musical! These guys left positively nothing to the imagination. If you want to know what I heard, Google the lyrics for "Lollipop". My Mom was cool and open minded, but I still wasn't allowed to check out porn at the age of 15. (at least and have her know about it
)
So we now have a PG-13 only rule concerning song lyrics and any new additions to the IPod library have to go through me.
I wasn't concerned that these lyrics were going to cause my daughter to run out and have sex. I simply thought that she was not old enough to be hearing things so graphic. She can watch certain rated R movies, but only after I've seen them first. I figured if she wasn't allowed to watch a porno, she shouldn't be allowed to listen to one either.
My daughter was at first upset about my rule. When I reminded her of how badly she berated her older brother when he was caught looking at inappropriate stuff on the computer and explained that she was basically listening to what he was looking at, she changed her tune. She still isn't crazy about how much I stay "in her business', but she'll get over it.
