Music and its Censorship

Music today comes in more forms and is used more frequently then anytime in our history. As in many years past it is available on the radio, tapes, and CD's. One particularly strong use of music is used in advertising and movies. Therefore, it is obvious that music can influence the way people act and think. For this reason, the question must be asked, how should music be censored? Should the music be controlled? And if so, who should control it?

More teens have extra time, and nothing to do. Something to do is to escape into music. Since freedom of speech is a constitutional right, this right also applies to music. Artists have used their right, and sometimes abuse their right, and produce music that has a high content of violence, hatred, and sexual content. It is being suggested that music can influence people to do violent acts, such as the Columbine High School massacre.

Due to the people influence, the government has persuaded the record companies to place a rating system on their music similar to the movie rating system. So the offensive material can be identified. Some people say that’s that is not enough, because some people play their offensive music very loud and they are forced to listen to it. We can't get rid of all the offensive music.

Also, should parents have the responsibility to monitor the music their children listen to? In many cases, they provide the income and the equipment to play the music, they have the responsibility to supervise what their children are exposed to, but that is a 24-hour job in its self. The parents could control what their children are exposed to a certain extent, but society has deemed what children should know about violence, hatred, and sexual content.

In a perfect society, record companies would take the responsibility for their impact on their customers but if parents cannot influence, and help guide their children, then who should?