This week, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated and much talked about album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” This is Swift’s ninth studio album, and it has already caused a stir among moms of young fans, who are wondering if the album is suitable for their children.
The album has a noticeably darker and more mature tone than Swift’s previous releases, with seven of its songs containing explicit lyrics. This means that parents will be alerted if the songs include themes such as strong language, violence, sex, or substance abuse, making them “inappropriate for kids.”
Some parents have taken to social media, particularly to the Facebook group Taylor Swift’s Vault, with close to 500,000 members, to voice their concerns about the album’s content and whether it is appropriate for kids.
Many mothers of “Taylor Tots,” a term used to describe younger Swift’s fans, are concerned about the explicit themes of the album, specifically references to sex and violence. In one of the group’s posts, member Crystal Barkley expressed sympathy for young fans, saying, “I feel bad for all the Taylor Tots because most parents are not going to deem this album appropriate.”
Another member, Tana Hancock, replied, “This album is definitely NOT suitable for kids.” Other members echoed the same sentiment, with Stephanie DeVaughn adding, “It’s called ‘tortured poets’ who thought this would be a kid-oriented album?.” It is clear that parents of young Taylor Swift fans are struggling with how to handle the album’s darker and more mature themes.
Despite the concerns of some parents, there are also those who defend the album and its content. One member wrote, “Taylor isn’t for the little girls anymore, she grew up and so did we and we’re here for it and we love it.” This sentiment was echoed by another member who commented, “It’s so hard to explain to her younger fans who love her so much.” The discussion continued, with some parents discussing how they would approach the topic with their children and even texting their daughters to discuss the album’s content.
Many parents expressed concern not only about the explicit lyrics but also about the album’s themes of self-harm, violence, and death. “The self-harm, violence, and death talk is what I’m not feeling comfortable with at this second,” Casey McDonald Smith wrote.
Another mom added, “I’m going to sleep on it and give it a few more listens before I decide how I’m going to approach it with my 9-year-old.” The discussions show that parents are grappling with the album’s darker content and how to explain it to their children.
The album’s content has sparked a debate among moms, with some feeling that it is not appropriate for children. This is a change from Swift’s earlier releases, which were more kid-friendly. However, many fans have grown up with Swift and appreciate her growth as an artist.
As one member of the group wrote, “I have been debating this myself, not because of swears, but just because of the deep, mature feelings. It’s definitely got some darkness.” These discussions highlight the fact that Swift’s music continues to resonate with her fans regardless of their age and that the album’s themes are worth exploring, even if they may not be suitable for children.
