The idea that music does not directly affect the youth and culture of today is farcical, music has been the foundation of human civilization since the time of the cavemen. As long as there have been stories to share and cultures to pass down there has been music. While music was once a way to preserve that culture of a people, today it is paving the way to the destruction of modern values and culture.
“In our amusement obsessed culture much of our lives is spent in the pursuit of the next big media ‘thrill’” (Bass 1) and the most popular “thrill” currently being fed to the masses by the way of music is promiscuity. That is, the act of having sexual relations with more than one partner. While America and the world as a whole are suffering from this push of promiscuity, the group most impacted by the increased sexuality in music is today’s “young people who are steeped in the rock culture” (Bass 2). Everything people surround themselves has an impact on who they become; this is especially true for teenagers who are still in the developmental stage. Teenagers listen to specific genres of music for a multitude of different reasons, the most prevalent being social conformity. Teenagers need to feel like they belong to a group and music allows them to feel important, to feel included. So they listen to this sexual, explicit music because their friends do and whether they realize it or not, this music affects their behavior. They listen to this music that objectifies sex as just an act. This music promotes and socially condones promiscuity. It is not only the words that are sexually explicit, “the sexuality of music is usually referred to in terms of its rhythm- it is the beat that commands a directly physical response” (Bass 1). Teenage...
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Rock n’ roll gave people the voice they did not have in the early years. As the genre of music became more wide spread, people actually began to speak out. Altschuler touches on the exploration of how the rock n' roll culture roughly integrated with replaced and conflicted with preceding cultural values. Many of these values were very touch topics. Besides black civil rights, sexuality were one of the most sensitive t...
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
"Teen Sexuality and Pregnancy." Growing Up: Issues Affecting America's Youth. Melissa J. Doak. 2007 ed. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Information Plus Reference Series. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.
In the late 90's, it was suggested that youth who took part in heavy metal culture had higher than average rates when it came to substance abuse, depression, greater delinquency, and problems with both educational systems and family relations (Scheel, 1995). For many, an obvious picture could be woven between these listed behaviors and suicidal tendencies of youth. However, a study conducted on a sampling of fans showed that less than 1% reported feelings of sadness when listening to their music of choice (Scheel, 1999 p.263). This study alone shows that other factors are key in the attitudes and emotions of youth outside of their preference for heavy metal music. An idea suggested by Hereld offers a different view of the thoughts on heavy metal and suicide. This idea is that many youth's are defined by the content of the music they listen to, and that heavy or alternative music choices are to blame for any type of negative behavior that occurs (Hereld, 2014 p.10). With the combination of controversy woven into heavy metal, and the rash of scares incited in the peak times of it's popularity. It becomes easy to see why heavy metal was associated with devience and the coruption of youth, but through taking a closer look at various studies, one can easily find the benefits of such extreme
In conclusion this report has helped us understand the significance of Music in America. Also, the impact it has on music we listen too. Music is very much like a big chain reaction. Rock ‘N’ Roll, much like music today, stood out and was in a way rebellious. Parents now hate Rap and we love it. People in the 70’s loved Rock ‘N’ Roll and parents hated it. This shows that maybe no matter how much older people deny it, the time gap and generation gap is not too far apart. Without Rock ‘N’ Roll the World would without a doubt be changed. Any guess to that of which way would be a good one.
Chen, Grace. “Schools, Parents, and Communities Should Contribute to Educating Teens About Sex.” Teenage Sexuality. Ed. Aarti D. Stephens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. From “Public Schools and Sex Education.” Public School Review. 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
Since the explosion of music videos in 1981, a large portion of their popularity has been due to the objectification of women and their sexuality. “Early content analyses showed that anywhere from 40% to 75% of music videos contained sexual imagery”(Arnett, 2002). Hip-hop music videos especially have a reputation of degrading women. In these videos “women are often depicted in positions of submission to men” (Sommers-Flanagan, 1993).On the flip-side Country music videos are “known for [their] socially conservative themes”(Frisby & Aubrey, 2012).
Hip Hop and Rock music are today’s people choice of music. People will find that teens and adults from the age of 20 to 34 listen to these two types of music. Not too often will you see or hear a teen listening to Blues, Opera, Reggae, or Oldies. Reason being is that they were raised up in toady’s society where really all they will here is either Hip Hop or Rock. There is a lot of argument that these two different types of music are the same old sing about money, drugs, and sex. But actually they are tot...
Teenagers have for long been a constant bother to many parents, for many years. It is during this stage that a large number of individuals engage in rebellious acts and are anxious to try out almost everything they lay their hands on. It is clear from the illustrations that music does have a great effect on teenagers. Parents should therefore combine effort in instilling a sense of responsibility and good morals to their young ones since they are the future leaders of the world.
Although some may say that music doesn’t directly affect the way a person acts, there has been evidence to prove that it does in fact change emotions and the way people act. Music heavily influences a person’s mindset by shaping what they place value on in the world or what they might hold dear. Music also tends to affect people’s persona and how they portray themselves to the world. Certain types of music are associated with certain demographics of people. For example, hip hop music is usually associated with the black community, and black men and women have strong connections with its songs and lyrics. Objectifying hip hop music
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2012). Refocusing national attention on the hiv crisis in the united states. Retrieved from website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/2012/AAAFactSheet-0712-508c.pdf
The most trending music genre gets a lot of listeners because of its the discrimination. As the songs and advertisements gain followers, it starts to become realized by the citizens. Pop culture artists sing about drugs, alcohol and women. The portrayal of women by these composers is dreadful because it degrades the significance and importance of their existence. Pop culture has always been a home for gender domination and discrimination. It is becoming increasingly “pornified.” As Valenti quotes, “After all, while billboards and magazines ads may feature a ripped guy from time to time, it’s mostly women who make up what sexy is supposed to be. And it’s not just sexy-it’s straight-up sex” (Valenti, 44). The pornography has been a part of the culture and has been accepted by younger women. Feminists have argued that this has increased the inculcation of “raunch culture” in the lives of younger women who fall into it as they feel it empowers them. However, it is a kind of faux empowerment. This illustrates that the media is promoting and utilizing pop culture to change the social norms in an attempt to instruct women on their role in the society. In essence, pop culture with its propaganda desires to change women’s view on nudity until it can become inherent in American culture, and thus eliminating opposition to benefit pop culture in the long run. Valenti persuades her readers by saying, “ the ‘show’ is everywhere. In magazines like Maxim and Playboy. And in the insanity of Girls Gone Wild, with teens putting on fake lesbian make-out sessions so guys will think they’re hot.” Levy also mentions a character, influenced by raunch culture and a reader of Playboy magazines, named Erin who is piqued her curiosity and provided her with inspiration because of this culture. Erin says, “There’s countless times in my life where I know I’ve turned people on just by showing off (by putting on a
Music plays a huge role in the structure of a society. It can have both negative and positive influence on cultures and communities. First, musical sounds and instruments can be a dividing factor between the people within the same culture. These opposing social and economic identities within these cultures can lead unnecessary animosity between the members. However, music can also be one of the forces that unite members of a culture and provide a sense pride for everyone. This makes it easier for people to display their identification to that culture.
Martinez, Gladys, Joyce Abma, and Casey Copen. “Educating Teenagers About Sex In The United States”. CDC.GOV. Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Feb.2014
The idea of waiting till marriage to have sex is no longer as effective with teens as it was in the past, due to the outcome of the “sexual revolution liberalizing social and moral attitudes toward sex” (Findley, Sarah, Chelsea Mageland, and Gabriella Pastor). For years the media has promoted sex in music, movies, television shows, and even with people. In the music industry we have many song with hidden sexual content that many teens listen to. For example, the song