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when lyrics attack

when lyrics attack Music is what wakes us up in the morning, makes us want to dance, and soothes us when we’re feeling sad (Palumbo 2). It is a factor in everyday life. Because of the huge amount of weight music has, a large section of society feels that some music and other forms of media has had a major influence on behavior. The first amendment states that the freedom of speech provides broad protection to a wide array of expressions, as well as to forms of communication (2). Therefore, it is the artist’s right to express themselves in their lyrics and other forms of media. However, what seems to concern the public is that Villani’s research prior to 1990 documented that children learn behaviors and have their value systems shaped by the media. Be that as it may, the first amendment forbids the government to regulate speech in ways that favor some viewpoints or ideas at the expense of others (3). “Music is important to teenagers’ identity and helps them define important social and sub-cultural boundaries,” says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Even though it is agreed that there should be some sort of rating program like there is for movies, artists should not be punished by not getting there albums sold in stores or played over the radio. Although music lyrics are sometimes emotionally stirring they do not significantly impact behavior. Music has had significant changes in the last decade. “By 1995 only ten of the forty most popular CDs’ were free of profanity or lyrics dealing with drugs, violence, and sex” (Jippling 3). Music is prominent in adolescent lives: Teenagers spend between four and five hours a day listening to music and watching music videos (Christenson 1). The fact that government officials, researchers and parents alike are concerned about the impact of music on adolescents is not alarming. The power music has on the youth today is incredible. Teenagers already having problems may desire to listen to heavy metal music, because the lyrics mirror their own troubled emotions (2). Often physicians use music preference, usually heavy metal, to determine possible psychosocial problems in adolescent patients (Scheel 2). Sadly, Suicides are very common in America. The National Education Association estimates that many of the five hundred teenage suicides each year are linked to music lyrics. If preference for heavy metal music indeed reflects behavior, the question can be raised as to whether listening to this music ‘helps’ or ‘hurts’, since considering that teens usually turn on music in time of stress. More consistent evidence shows that fans experience positive affect shifts after listening to heavy metal or rap music. The lyrics seem to express how they are feeling and they can relate (3). Several lawsuits have been initiated against rock and rap artists and their recording companies as a result of teen suicide. However, they never hold up in court because of the artists right of freedom of speech. No one forces troubled teenagers to listen to these ‘offensive’ lyrics. Many play a role here, from the record company to the artist and the parents, but society needs to focus on whom the responsibility really belongs to. A 1996 study showed that boys and girls, ages twelve to nineteen, watched MTV (Music Television Network) for an average of 7 hours each week. It is believed that eliminating access to MTV decreases the amount of violent acts among teenagers and young adults (Christenson 4). Yet no evidence has proven that there was a cause-and-effect relationship between the two. According to the AAP, “Music videos dehumanize women, reducing them to body parts readily available for the sexual satisfaction of men” (5). Nevertheless, most networks do in fact have a rating system, including MTV, which tells the viewer that a show has explicit language and violence and it recommends children should be accompanied by an adult. Contrary to the belief of most of society, media does not influence behavior. “Music lyrics are not as big a problem as the underlying social issues and a world where technology is speeding the pace of life to a blur” (Novoselic 2). Music lyrics come from artists just trying to express what they are feeling. Artist may function as role models in some people’s lives there’s no way they can take the blame of behavior. Bibliography:

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