In fact, as a parent, I'm very disappointed by The Age. It is choosing to take a cautious, rational approach and refusing to immediately blame "emo" for these deaths, even though it's something I've only recently heard of and am fairly sure I don't like:
While mystery surrounds the apparent suicide pact of Melbourne teenagers Stephanie Gestier and Jodie Gater, attempts to blame the 'emo' subculture - based on overtly emotional and angst-ridden rock and its punk-gothic fashion - appear baseless.
What, I'm going to have to turn on a current affairs show to get the indignant parental outrage I demand? At least Monday's MX was willing to selectively quote a couple of unrepresentative R.I.P. messages on the myspace page of one of the girls to conclude that it was "littered with dark and disturbing messages". THAT'S THE KIND OF MANIPULATIVE REPORTING I, AS A PARENT, WANT TO READ.
Fortunately, The Age slightly redeemed itself with an online reader poll where I could express my concerns about this "emo" thing in a way which would really get the message across. "Are you concerned about 'emo' kids?" it asked. As a parent, YES I AM. And I clicked the radial select button to tell them so.
Then, whilst I was waiting for the evening's current affair shows to come on, I had a look (as a parent) on this "internet" thing to see if I could find out about "emo". And I came across this chilling documentary series about a teenaged "emo" girl named Hope, called "Hope is Emo".
It's so SAD! I hope someone out there is watching her plaintive cries for help and can offer her the advice she needs to become a happy young woman and not this strangely depressed teenager. As a parent, I know that teenage girls are supposed to be cheerful and full of life, not wearing black and crying and talking back to their families. And whilst we're on the subject I don't know who her parents are, but I can't believe they let her get her mouth pierced. No wonder she's on the internet crying about chalk.
After that I found this article about a father who has lost his son to "emo". It's a cautionary tale:
Mr Sisky said that rather than revealing a dysfunction in his relationship with Brian, Thursday’s Eyelash’s music confirms his intuition that “there is actually no point in pursuing a rapprochement with the boy."
"I admit I have barely spoken to Brian since he was ten. Frankly, that was the last time he said anything sensible."
As a parent, I feel Mr Sisky's pain.
And now two girls are dead who are said to also have had something to do with "emo". Coincidence? You go ahead and bury your head in the sand. I'm dialing up Neil Mitchell's talkback programme tomorrow to let everyone know how against this "emo" thing I am as a parent. It must be stopped! In fact, I don't think it would be overreacting to demand that the colour black be banned from schools and shops should not be allowed to sell black clothing of any sort to anyone under the age of 18. Same with eyeliner and body piercings (which I've been against for a while for other reasons).
For the kids. Let's together, as parents, show them that there are better things to do with their lives than "emo". Please.
