Adam Lambert was on The View this morning. I was nursing a cold and decided to watch to see how they would handle the recent controversy over his performance at the American Music Awards.
I was impressed. Mr. Lambert made several points I thought were noteworthy. One point was that his performance was on at 11:00 at night, so it really wasn't up to him to make sure the content was appropriate for any young children who were up that late on a school night. Indeed, I agree. It is up to parents to monitor what their children watch, and the AMA was rated TV14. Ample warning was given that this was not all appropriate for the teeny-bopper crowd.
Another point was that the controversy seemed to be fueled by his sexual orientation. He got a laugh when he said, "Yes, my dreidel spins the other way" in response to one of the hostesses remarking that he was "different." The View ladies agreed that many people seem not to care when two women kiss on television, but to see two men do so on prime time exposed some of our cultural homophobia. I have to agree. The costumes and performances by other female artists were equally edgy in my view. As a culture, we have different standards for men and women, and for same sex displays between these two sexes.
Finally, Barbara Walters remarked that with all the horrible things going on in the world, what was the big deal anyway about some sexual expression on TV? Here are some thoughts about that. Parents, it's your job to be aware of what your children are watching and listening to. Adam Lambert is a cutie, and some of his songs definitely lean toward a more mature audience, so check them out if you have young children who want to listen to or watch him. We live in a time when there are a lot of people expressing themselves sexually on television and the internet, so be aware and monitor.
Remember to pay attention to the TV ratings on your screen and know that if it says TV14, you may not approve of what your 8-year-old or 10-year-old may see on that program. And lastly, when they do see things you wish they didn't (and they will), use the opportunity to discuss the situation, educate them about what they saw, answer any questions, and discuss your values. Your conversations and the information you give them are what they will remember long after Adam Lambert is gone.
Amy Johnson, MSW, is a Personal Life and Parent Coach who is passionate about working with parents regarding balance, self-care and faith and sexuality. She is co-author of the book, Parenting by Strengths: A Parent's Guide to Challenging Situations. To read more by Amy, go to her website. Amy is also a member of the Best Parent Coaching Directory. Click here to contact Amy.
