Behaviour adviser's rap warning

Sir Alan says music can fill a moral void for a minority of children

The government's school discipline adviser has warned that children might learn from violent rap lyrics if parents do not assert moral values.

Head teacher Sir Alan Steer complained in particular about the "anti-women aspect" of some songs.

He told journalists at a National Union of Teachers behaviour conference some music motivated a small number of children in a violent sub-culture.

"We can't be bashful about saying this is unacceptable," he said.

Sir Alan, head of Seven Kings High School in Ilford, east London, led a team that produced a report for the government on behaviour in England's schools.

Some of their proposals are in the current education bill.

Force for good

"If you don't stand up for your morality when bringing up your children, it's damn sure they will pick up somebody else's," he said.

It was unacceptable to talk about women as "bitches and whores".

The NUT's general secretary, Steve Sinnott, backed up Sir Alan's remarks.

"Using disparaging language as part of every-day conversation is entirely unacceptable, no matter who does it, where they do it or when they do it," he said.

"It is possible to use rap music for good, rather than seem to try to make acceptable insulting and demeaning images of women, or anybody else for that matter."

Recently the lyrics of a rap song had to be changed so it could be performed at the Oscars ceremony.

The French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, was moved to dismiss claims by some of his party colleagues that rap music had fuelled suburban riots.