Rapper 50 Cent is a hot property. He is idolized by millions of young men. For some teenagers he is the closest thing they have to a father; but what kind of a role model is Fiddy? His lifestyle with its glorification of violence is well documented, but what does the man himself say about the responsibilities of fatherhood?

For me, without having every word come out of my mouth make me appear to be a positive role model, I’ll always be inspiring. Because I give them the truth. At the same time, I believe people have a little more interest in reading what I’m saying or hearing me speak because they know I ain’t gonna sugarcoat it. — 50 Cent

50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson III, made his views on parenting known in an interview with London's Metro newspaper. Fiddy's game Bulletproof was banned in Australia because it was so violent, yet he says "My son is nine years old and I play my video game with him. We turn on the music and turn down the volume of the TV because there's a lot of swearing in the game." He continues "My son watches R-rated films all the time with me present so I can explain what he's seeing. He has cable television in his room and he can watch whatever comes on TV. He has a computer in his room and he has Internet access. I came in and he was logged onto an adult site. You've got to understand the kid has access to all these things and his curiosity is there now — keeping him sheltered is putting him in danger." How does 50 Cent view his position as a role model? He feels that people take the responsibilities of a parent and place them on him. As for the effects of his game on young people, he excuses himself by claiming "A person who is influenced by a video game is already so damaged that they are dangerous."

Get Rich or Die Tryin' Movie Poster

The poster for Get Rich or Die Tryin' was criticized by UK advertising watchdogs for glorifying gun culture. The Advertising Standards Authority banned future use of the image which showed 50 Cent holding a baby whilst naked from the waist up with a semi-automatic pistol tucked into his waistband.

Movie director Spike Lee claims 50 Cent is promoting negative values to young people. "I love hip-hop, but there are certain elements that are just problematic, " he says. "50 Cent has made a lot of money. That whole mantra — 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' — for me that's criminal, because young brothers, they took that to heart. They’re like, ’Whatever I got to do to get them rims, get my fly gear, to get my bitches and hoes, I am going to do it. F*** who I got to hurt, who I got to shoot, who I got to kill.’ That’s crazy to me. And his video game, Bulletproof? I'm sorry, I can't get with that."

It is widely recognized that fathers play a major role in the lives of their sons. Weak, ineffective or absent fathers can cause great damage to their upbringing. 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' — Proverbs 22:6

Is 50 Cent right in allowing his son to watch R-rated movies and access adult websites? Let us know what you think.

I am glad my daughter won't be dating his son. We have to dig in and help that generation to rise above the likes of 50c. Communities need men willing to mentor lost children. Just because some kids/boys have dads, doesn't mean they’re good role models. But, those kids need one. — Su

I mean yeah, why not? The man can let his son do whatever he wants. If I was him I'm sure I would do the same thing. — Akot

Yeah I think he's right to allow it. If his son isn't embarrassed about it now, then if 50 tells his son everything he needs to know, it will save him from any embarrassment later on. — Kassie

I waited for ages to get that game. I wanted to kill myself coz I was the only one without the game. The whole of Australia feels that way. — Matt

I'm sure everybody watches porn. Who doesn't? I think 50 cent is right by letting his son watch R-rated movies to judge what is right and wrong in life. — Chris

Everybody is free to raise their children how they see fit. If we keep "protecting" them from violence, porn gangsta violence, they are only going to be more intrigued why they cannot watch or do it, making them want to do it twice as much. Let them explore and be children. Fiddy is doing what he thinks is right for his son, and who are we to judge. Let him be. — Chloe

I think that that whole poster controversy surrounding 50 Cent with a gun tucked into his waist is ridiculous and unjustified. Look at all the other movie posters that have guns plastered all over them. For example, let’s take the TV show The Sopranos. The "r" in sopranos is an actual hand gun. What's up with that? How come nobody ever made a big stink about that? It's on the cover of all their DVDs, magazines, TV ads, movie posters. I guess nobody takes notice because it doesn't have a black rapper on the cover or any correlation to hip hop. That's really sad people. When will this end? How about we start by addressing the home-grown domestic issues with our youth rather than blaming mainstream society? — Melissa

It’s his life and his son. Who cares what if he has a gun in his waist. It’s just a picture. He’s a gangsta, that’s why he don’t care what his son watches. — Lenora

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