Does The Influence of Music Have an Effect Contemporary Youth?

989 Words2 Pages

Does The Influence of Music Have an Effect Contemporary Youth?

Ever since the shocking event in Littleton, which involved two avid Marylyn Manson fans, society has been questioning the effects of aggressive contemporary music on the youth. Although evidence suggests that there is a notable link between violence and aggressive music, it must be realized that other factors influence teenage violence even more so. Shootouts, much like the Columbine incident, are commonly seen in many of today’s films, as well as films years ago. Violence in video games can manipulate one’s perspective on the value of life to the point where killing can seem meaningless. Music is a tool of expression that an artist uses to vent their frustrations and to reveal their emotions; it is not to brainwash kids into believing that violence is the way out. Music is not the problem here. Yet many refuse to realize that violence in movies and video games, which are more vivid and realistic, has a much larger impact on children and their point of view on reality.

Most movies today include a significant amount of violence or death, which has come to be a regular occurrence in our view of society. The actors who die are seen after the movie alive, which gives a false perception of death to the impressionable youth (Pitofsky, 1999). Another factor in this issue is the lack of punishment on the parent’s part when dealing with the violent behavior from their children. A lack of punishment shows children that it’s all right to copy their favorite action-star’s signature move. Children are trained to have a low consideration of life due to what they see in these types of movies. Seeing violence on a regular basis desensitizes children and creates a t...

... middle of paper ...

...der to solve this problem, people need to realize that their desire to see violence has an adverse impact on the youth of today. Music is the least of our worries; we need to focus on the real issues.

Work Cited

Pitofsky, Roberto (1999 June, 5). The Influence of Violent Entertainment:

What is to be done? National Association of Attorneys General.

Retrieved March 23. from http://www.ftc.gov/speeches/pitofsky/naag999.htm

Sherman, Michael (2000, March 4). Influence of Entertainment on the Youth

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved

March 22, 2004. from http://www.beachpsych.com/pages/cc43.html

Villani, Susan (2001). Impact of Media on Children. Journal of the American Academy

Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 40 (4), 392.

Waldron, Larry (1999, June). Effects of the World on Our Children.

World News, 50-54.

More about Does The Influence of Music Have an Effect Contemporary Youth?

Open Document