HCM CITY — Parents and educators in HCM City are troubled by the fact that the lack of quality children's music albums is forcing children to turn to albums meant for adults.
"I am worried when my students are excited about love, money, and social troubles that the music albums depict than about schoolwork, friends, their parents, and country," Nguyen Thi Khanh Van, a primary-school teacher in Thu Duc District, says.
However, shockingly, many parents allow their children to listen to adult music, she said, adding efforts are needed to change this attitude.
Albums targeted at children and pre-teens are few and far between, with most containing just old, boring stuff, while, admittedly, music albums for teenagers and adults are skilfully performed and packaged.
The few children's albums that there are in the market are copies or copies of copies of old ones.
Composer Quang Long of the Viet Nam Music Producer (Dihavina), says: "Most of the duplicates are alike, with the same songs, only different packaging or accompaniment.
"A shortage of songs means children listen to – even sing – songs about loneliness and broken hearts, though they don't have a clue what the lyrics are about."
Long also laments the fact that music producers prefer to make albums for adults because of the misconception that children too enjoy such music.
Nguyen Minh, father of two daughters and a resident of District 3, says: "I don't want my kids to listen to love songs. We need more songs about our country, schools, teachers, and friends."
Long agreed, saying musicians must spend more time composing songs suitable for children and pre-teens, songs that celebrate childhood.
Psychologist Le Minh Nga says today's children are more burdened with concerns and issues than their parents were at a similar age. They have much more exposure to western lifestyles through music, films, and books, and are sometimes overwhelmed by what they see, hear, and read, she explains.
"Therefore, it is critical that children have access to good-quality music albums that are appropriate for their mental needs," she warns.
Quality albums like Bo La Tat Ca (Dad Is All), Meo Con Be Be (Kitten) and Giac Mo Cua Be (My Dream) continue to sell like hotcakes 10 years after they were first released.
In the past talented musicians like Xuan Giao and Trinh Cong Son wrote songs for both children and adults. Their songs like Co Giao Vung Cao (A Highland Teacher) and Em La Hoa Hong Nhoû (I'm A Small Rose) are still popular among kids.
Social organisations and educators are working with music producers to create albums for children and are urging teachers and parents to spend more time and thought on guiding their children in selecting healthy music.
"I think music for children and pre-teens is a promising product for the entertainment industry," musician Dao Van Su says, adding there is good profit to be made by producing and selling music videos and CDs for young audiences during summer and other holidays.
"Cultural authorities should organise music competitions and festivals to encourage musicians to turn their attention to children's music," he adds.
But musicians simply seem to have forgotten their most uncritical fans. — VNS