boy, could this thread go on and on in a million directions.

11 sounds a little young to me, but if dad was there, then there's some parental guidance going on. it's impossible to censor everything that kids can be exposed to (not to mention ethically undesirable if not rather hypocritical, coming from us rabid free-speechers). the best you can do is be there, to explain, answer questions, provide perspective. it's called parenting, an increasingly lost art in this society.

as for Eminem, he's obviously troubled, and working out his demons very, very publicly. this appears to be a function of deep need - or perhaps courage. and i hope he gets a handle on 'em. i recognize his talent and am occasionally amused and even impressed by him. he's showing some heart and soul by revealing rather than concealing, writing very personal songs about his life, and isn't that what we want from our artists? the fact that many consider his manner of expression to be crude, negative and/or excessively confrontational has to do with where he's from and who he is as a person at this point in his life. who knows what he'll be writing in the future?

i primarily consider artists such as Eminem and Madonna to be blank canvasses, upon which many people from many viewpoints can project whatever they need or wish to. it makes for endless and occasionally enlightening debate, does it not?