So my oldest daughter is about to enter Middle School, and has moved from the Elementary Sunday School program up to Youth Group at our church. So far she seems to be really enjoying it.
I'm realizing, though, how "between cultures" we have raised her. It's becoming more and more common for her friends at school (including the ones from Christian families) to give her a bad time because she doesn't know much about their culture icons - celebrities, music, TV shows, etc... On the flip side, she's starting to realize that she doesn't really fit in the "young evangelical Christian" scene very easily either - when asked in youth group who her favorite Christian musicians were, she answered "Dave Matthews and Sting" (yes, these artists get a lot of airplay in our house!). She was a little embarrassed when she later realized that those artists probably wouldn't be considered "Christian" by most of the people she was with.
So I'm torn and a little confused. Should we just continue on our merry way, listening to what we enjoy, not watching much TV, being our geeky little selves - and just let our daughter deal with the chips as they fall, find her own way in the cultures she's a part of? We did explain to her why we listened to the music that we did, and she seemed to understand, but I still think that she really wants to fit in to the "youth group" culture more - and I'd rather encourage her in that direction than towards much of what she'll be exposed to at school.
Really I want to encourage her to think independently, to hold her own opinions - and she does that fairly well. But she still wants to fit in, she's still a normal 11-year-old with a strong drive to find her social scene. I'd rather start by supporting her in finding something like some CCM that she would like, while I still have some influence over what we purchase and can steer her towards what we might tolerate listening to as well!
So any recommendations for adolescent-accessible CCM music or groups that don't drive you musically crazy?
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2 comments:
Sounds like you are doing a great job raising your daughter. Keep allowing her to think for herself. As far as the music goes I don't know, I've been out of the Chirstian music loop for awhile. I would recomend HM Hard Music magizine, or relevant magizine. HM is just for hard rockin' christian music. Relevant is a mag that looks at the intersection of religion and pop culture without being demeaning to either side, and how religion can be relevant in today's culture. Both are good reads and info on christian groups. Also many Christian book stores allow you to listen to demo copies of artists before purchasing. Good luck and congratulations on raising what sounds like a well rounded, secure daughter.
Sparky
superchick, superchick, superchick!! i actually listen to them myself!
also switchfoot has a cd coming out in early august - haven't heard it yet, but they're past 2 are great - and none of these are mindless christian propaganda, and they are great to listen to.
my son loves audio adrenalaine (he's 7) and i can stomach them, and my daughter really likes bethany dillon - her song 'beautiful' is really powerful.
david crowder band and chris tomlin are both worship leaders who have beautiful and yet thoughtful lyrics and music and i don't think either will melt your brain. dcb is very post modern and they have some really truly beautiful poetry-filled lyrics, and musically they are quite talented.
talent has come a lot farther than evie and 2nd chapter of acts that we had when we were kids! :)
if you need any more let me know.
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