How can I convince them about the music I listen to?

Question

My parents think that I am "gothic" which is FAR from what I really am: Skater...I listen to bands like AFI, System of a Down, KoRn, Misfits...etc...and my favorite band is HIM...all of my family says that HIM is satanic and that the heartagram is a pentagram and all this stupid ****...they are SO ignorant...but I can't change their minds...I told them that I am getting a Heartagram tattoo when I turn 18(in 3 years) and they say "oh it's just a phase...you'll grow out of it" and I can hear them talk about how concerned they are...I feel like total ****...not because I feel guilty...because I don't...but because they can't accept me for who I am! What should I do?
I am NOT going to stop listening to that music EITHER!!!!

Answer 1

devil child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
ignore them listen to what you want, in a few years you will be old enough to move out n do what you want so.....

Answer 2

Don't worry about getting a tattoo, that's a long ways off...when they say it's just a phase, they say it because some people go though one. For example, I LOVED rap when I was in high school, I thought I'd listen to it forever. Now, I can't stand it, it's all garbage. If you told me that when I was in high school, I would have never believed I would feel this way. Maybe you'll change your taste in music, maybe you won't. It doesn't matter, parents very rarely like the same music as their kids so get used to it. If you started listening to rap, they'd find a problem with that. It's a generation gap, your parents grew up on totally different stuff, you know? Just brush it off, your parents love you, they just don't get the music.

Answer 3

Yeah sister, whatever you do, don't stop the rock. You've got to be true to your tastes and what yourself. What do they want you to listen to? Jars of Clay? Creed? DC Talk or some of that other "music"? Wouuld they feel better if you started listening to gangsta rap?

What did your parents listen to growing up? Just about EVERYBODY to come up with something new since Elvis has been deemed "damaging" or "immoral" or what have you. People used to be outraged by the Beatles for chrissakes.

Symbols are drawings; the meaning is not in the loops or lines or angles, in the heart of the beholder. They see Satanism because to them everything they can't understand or are afraid of is "Satan". You can't be responsible for their lack of understanding. Pictures can't hurt you, music can't hurt you, words can't hurt you. Baby Jesus isn't crying because you're listening to Miseria Cantare while skateboarding.

I don't think you're going to be able to "convince" the about it; them being in the role of parents aren't likely to budge and I think it might cause more frustration for everyone. You're growing up in a totally different world than they did, and I don't see them ever being able to understand or enjoy what yo do.

My advice would be to try to keep it on the down-low as much as you can. If you can keep it from being an issue, then it might all just wash over...

Answer 4

Just listen to it and don't worry about it. But be respectful, turn it down when they come in a room, don't blast in the car if they're in it. Also try explaining to them that a pentagram isn't satanic, it was a pagan symbol the Christians switched around to make us appear satanic. What better way to make people switch of being pagan or hate pagan then to make them satanic? I love HIM too, and I put a heartagram on my car, I was surpised that my parent's didn't freak, don't think they knew anything about it! Good luck.

Answer 5

Just explain to them that this is music, it's not something to be concerned about! Its just something to listen to, not worship. I listen to all that music, and more. I do also listen to some lighter stuff, but still, I'm not gothic, or skater, I am me, my music isn't influencing my style, my personality, or my beliefs, my music is there because I enjoy listening to it.

If you do have like aworship issue (not saying you do) you should believe this youself before you tell them. And don't think I'm some freaky parent. I'm 16 and I went through the same thing with my parents, when I sat them down and explained this to them they came to accepted, and scarily enough, my mom picked up some of my music and likes to listen to it, even if I'm not there. If they don't understand don't get mad, try to be calm about this, i hope everything turns out well for you!

Answer 6

I am a mom and my youngest son is 15, he is a skater and listens to that kind of music...like you and I love his music, even thou I don't agree with all of the lyrics.. Parents should understand their teenage kids.. The best thing you should do is...Try writing them a letter because if you talk to them in person you will end up fighting. And by writing them..they will be able to read the letter in private and have time to think about everything...Tell them in the letter to understand you.. to remember when they were your age and they liked something that they thought their parents would not agree with.. how would they have reacted??. Tell them parents don't have to like what there kids like, and that you understand that they are trying to protect and show you what is good and what is bad.. Tell them that your music is very important to you. I think that you should print your question and answers and include them at the end of your letter and I'm sure they will understand and see how serious you are and how this is affecting you. Good luck!

Answer 7

I hear ya, I'm 16 and I listen to the exact same music...and let's just say, it's not my family's choice listening style...I think they believe that the words of the songs I hear are going to influence me in negative ways, which is 100% untrue. Keep listening to what you want, forget what they all think, I live by my own philosophy, and I'm much happier. Try explaining again that you love this music, that it's what makes you who you are, and it's most definetely not a phase. Also, tell them what I did, that it's just music, the song lyrics don't rule your ways of thinking. Good luck, and remember, it's your life...your music...try asking what they listened to at their age, and what their parents thought...

Answer 8

Your family accepts you for who you are!!! They just don't like the music you listen to. It the law of the land. 90% of parents don't approve of the music their kids listen to.

Just keep listening to what you enjoy. You seem to have good taste. The tattoo thing.. put it somewhere that your parents won't see and when you think they're ready for it, then they'll have no option but to say "you're an adult".

Don't sweat it too much.

Answer 9

You sound like me....I listen to band's like that and my family say's it's strange and my brother called me goth...And i'm just a physco path

Answer 10

i totally agree with u, i listen to the same bands, my mom is like "r u on drugs" NO!!!!!!!!!!! why cant they just leave them alone? just because we dont listen to their 80's crap! just tell ur parents to not worry about u so much, u need to learn how to make decisions on ur own to make it in life. u need to learn from ur mistakes on ur own. i hope i helped, good luck.

Answer 11

dudee my parents are the same way!!! SAME MUSIC AND EVERYTHING. afi, him, fob, system of a down is NOT goth. i just comtinue to listen to it. and i am deff. getting a tattoo. they just now say i can't listen to it when they are around/close to me. (such as in the car) it will be fine. mine are the same way.