The way the music industry started utilizing a rating system is an interesting story in itself. Tipper Gore bought her daughter a Prince album and was shocked by the lyrics. She could not believe she had unknowingly purchased her little girl an album containing such explicit lyrics. She was one of the leaders who helped form the Parents Music Resource Center.
The PMRC partnered with the National Parent Teacher Association to pressure the recording industry to come up with a warning label to put on albums that contain explicit lyrics. The sticker simply says Parental Advisory or Explicit content and is a voluntary measure.
As you can see, the music industry has the least informative rating system. The music industry’s standard simply states that “explicit lyrics, including explicit descriptions of violence and sex, be identified so parents can make intelligent listening choices for their children.”
How stores deal with the stickered items is also voluntary. Some music stores will simply not carry music that contains the labels while others limit the sale of the items with the stickers to patrons above the age of 18. There is no provision within the system to state that minors can’t buy the music utilizing the sticker. It’s very broadly open to interpretation, unlike the R rating utilized by the motion picture industry that states patrons can’t be admitted if under 17 without an adult.
As always if there is concern about a particular piece of music being purchased research is key. Parents can buy the album and listen to it themselves but that can be an expensive process if it’s unsuitable and goes in the trash. Parents can try to find a copy someone else has and listen to it as well. There are a number of websites dedicated to reviewing music choices as well and can give very detailed information as to why the particular piece of music carries the warning label.