The song "Mano" by Cuban reggaeton artist Oniel Bebeshito has achieved overwhelming popularity on social media and among the Cuban public. It has become so widespread that it's even being played and danced to in elementary school classrooms across Cuba. The artist himself shared a video on Instagram showing three young girls in their school uniforms performing a dance routine to his track in what appears to be a classroom, with other students and adults watching on.
For Oniel, this represents a form of success and pride, seeing his music reach a younger audience. However, this visibility raises important questions about the kind of content that children should be exposed to. The concern isn't about the song's popularity or the often-maligned reggaeton genre, but rather the explicit lyrics of this particular track, filled with sexual innuendos, double entendres, and depictions of women as sexual objects, which are hardly suitable for children.
The normalization of such expressions among young children by parents and teachers brings up some crucial questions: What kind of social education is being promoted? Where are the responsible adults who should be guiding, filtering, and protecting children's environments?
The phenomenon of schoolchildren dancing to reggaeton isn't isolated. Another video shared by Bebeshito shows even younger children in a Cuban elementary school dancing to the song "Tacto que llegó el reparto." In this instance, at least, the lyrics are not overtly problematic.
Rather than demonizing a genre or an artist whose music targets a mature audience, the issue lies in adult responsibility. It's crucial for adults to assess what content young children are exposed to in all aspects of their daily lives.
Controversy Surrounding Oniel Bebeshito's Song in Schools
Why is "Mano" by Oniel Bebeshito controversial in schools?
The controversy stems from the song's explicit lyrics, which include sexual innuendos and objectification of women, making it unsuitable for young children.
What concerns arise from children listening to reggaeton in schools?
The primary concern is the exposure of children to inappropriate content, leading to questions about the social education being imparted and the role of adults in guiding and protecting children.
How should adults address the consumption of explicit content by children?
Adults must take responsibility for evaluating the content children consume, ensuring it is appropriate for their age and does not negatively influence their development.