In an ongoing custody dispute, an attempt to show that harm was caused by a mother bringing her 11-year-old daughter to a Pink concert, has failed. The father raised the issue in a hard-fought ongoing post-judgment custody dispute, for which both parties are self-represented, and which involves two children in addition to the 11-year-old daughter.

In December of 2013, the mother took her daughter to the concert, part of Pink’s “The Truth About Love” tour. The father argued that, based on profanities in the lyrics to the songs on the album, “The Truth About Love,” the music is age-inappropriate, and also that the concert contained sexually suggestive themes and dance performances. The father requested that this choice on the part of the mother be afforded a negative inference, which could be used against the mother in future decisions regarding the division of custody.

Judge Lawrence Jones of the Family Part in Ocean County Superior Court examined the CD of the album “The Truth About Love,” as well as a DVD issued in association with the album. He delved into the content of the songs and themes explored by the music in depth, and found worthwhile messages for teens and preteens in the lyrics. He noted that “the lyrics in many of the songs are not only age-appropriate for teens and preteens in 2014 America, but from an artistic standpoint are particularly noteworthy in addressing important social themes and messages which are objectively relevant and very relatable to young Americans in high schools and junior high schools throughout the country.”

While the father pointed to a Hollywood Reporter review of Pink’s concert characterizing her backup dancers as “molesting” the singer, Judge Jones concluded, based on review of the concert footage, that the choreography was in support of lyrics describing “an independent woman standing up to men who acted inappropriately towards her.” The Judge ruled that the mother “in no way, shape or form exceeded the boundaries of reasonable parental judgment” by taking the child to the concert. He went on to discuss that divorced parents need not agree on every parenting decision, and that each parent retains the right to exercise reasonable discretion in regards to their children.
Custody battles can be grueling. Seeking out compassionate, experienced legal counsel to fight these battles on your behalf will make these fights less draining, and ensure that your rights are fully represented before the court. Contact skilled New Jersey family law attorneys at Smith & Doran for a consultation on your custody or divorce dispute at 973-292-0016.