How Influential is the Music on Today's Youth ?
In today's society, the teenage population has experienced an increase in violence. Teens face many situations that cause these problems. One of the most criticized media that has been found to be influential is that of music. Music has always been viewed as a heart felt art form. It is thought to be attached to not only our hearts, but as well as our minds. Therefore when violence or degrading lyrics are found attached to music, such lyrics also leave impacts to our inner sides.
Some people argue that negative lyrics are harmless, that nobody listens to them seriously, and that they have no impact on society. These statements are highly questionable since the situation where nineteen year old Ronald Howard shot and killed a Texas State trooper in 1992. Mr. Howard claims the music he was playing in the stolen vehicle he was driving at the time made him do it. A jury didn't buy this defense and convicted Mr. Howard of capitol murder after 45 minutes of deliberation.
Entertainment is a way of transferring messages to people. Teens hear the words of their supposed role models and think it is okay to follow in their foot steps. The outcome of this was the incident that was taken place in the 1980s, when three teenagers committed suicide after hearing Ozzy Osbourne's "Suicide Solution."
This industry has been faced with a lot of destructive behavior. Marilyn Manson was blamed for the Columbine shooting that occurred on April 20, 1999. The student shooters were highly influenced by Marilyn Manson's enchanting music. It captured both their minds and soul to a point where it shifted them to take action based upon his lyrics.
Although music is a form of providing escapism, relief, and change of environment, some entertainment goes against society trying to advance negativity. Specific examples are songs that advocate religious intolerance, such as "Aint Necessary So" by George and Ira Gershwin. This song follows up on the faith of atheism. It declares that the Bible is unreliable, sending out negative influential messages to many of positive faith.
Music is a possible way to express ourselves, yet why do many people find the suicidal way to be the correct and easy way to express theses emotions? Kurt Cobain for instance, was one of the most talented rock stars of the 1970s. He was also one of the most high profiled drug-related rockers. He was still battling heroin addiction until he committed suicide in 1994. Speaking of expressing emotions and dealing with stress, we are faced with another guitarist from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Navarro. He started drug abuse at the age of 15 to release pressures after his mom's death. How does this help the situation? It itself drags you closer to the jaws of death yourself.
Although created by black youth on the street, hip hop's influence has become worldwide. Its culture has been included in teen's daily lives. Teens base their culture on famous hip-hop artist from the way they talk and the way they dress. This is what our generation enjoys listening to, disregarding the fact that it overall involves and spreads advocate drug-use, racism, vicious violence, and domestic assaults. Music provides the opportunity to express different human emotions, ideas and concepts. It needs to be recognized that some ideas, emotions and concepts are negative and can go against individuals, relationships, families, communities, and society.
Hip-hop has also been blamed for many violent incidents dealing with teenagers. Hip-hip itself is based on violence, due to all the fatal feuds in the industry. Hip-hop also gives teens the sense that taking drugs isn't as harmful as it really. In music videos, role-modeled artists are seen doing un ordinary things such as smoking, drinking and taking drugs. They make it seems as if its no big deal to be doing all these things. Hidden messages of hate are put into their lyrics, not only towards one another but also towards all cops, Example = song "Cop Killer." Degrading lyrics are always directed to women of all races, and give women a manipulative image.
Teenagers who follow their own morals and good judgment will find that they will be in less troublesome situations. Learning not to believe everything they see and hear will help to come to reality with this ever changing world. Self esteem and confidence in one's self are very attractive qualities to possess. Violence will lessen as teens become more alert and smarter. As we all can tell media is a powerful means of communicating and has powerful impacts. It can be very manipulating. The bottom line is, as long as violence and drugs have a place in our society, they will have a place in our music.
