Is Today's Music Negatively Affecting the Youth?

[Flappycat]

Actually, it's called the "crip walk," I think. The music isn't going to hurt the kids much. Really, I think that more third-graders acting like really bad rappers will just make behaving like a really bad rapper the behavior of a third-grader. Long ago, it was Cowboys and Indians, then they were all wanting to be Rambo, and now they're all going to want to pose and dance around like cretins. I think that posing and dancing is an improvement.

 

[mrscardero]

I listen to various music. Before I met cardero, I was into heavy metal and believe it or not, rap. The only reason I listened to rap back in those so called days, is because my friends were listening to them. I felt out of place when they would talk about the songs and I wouldn't know what the heck they were talking about so I decided to purchase the CD's. I never liked rap. I never understood them because they were talking too fast and I didn't want to take the time to understand what they are saying. I believe that some kids purchase these music for the purpose of being in with the crowd. Like smoking and drinking. If you are not with the latest fashion, you are considered an outcast.

I lost friends when I didn't follow in their footsteps. Why keep those friends that makes decisions that you feel are making a bad influence on you? But then again, popularity is the key. I kept to myself. I had about 2 really close friends when I was in highschool. Why? because I wasn't in with the latest fashion. I wasn't in with the latest trend. I didn't listen to their types of music or the way they wore their clothes. I wasn't in with the sex, drugs, & rap. I was me. I chose to listen to what I wanted to listen to. cardero got me to widen my horizons with the types of music that he listens to. Oingo Boingo, Frank Zappa, Kings X, etc. etc. I listen to all types of music for the music, the rhythm, the instruments, the voice, the way it will make me tingle. Some kids will follow in the creator of the musics footsteps. Manson...some kids will dress like him and act like him. Has Manson actually done anything bad? Rappers get their lyrics from their lives, but they make them for the money. They see fortune and they make more music. I bet you if you ask some kids that listen to rap music that they have no idea what the lyrics mean until they actually think about listening to the words.

It's not the music that affects the youth. It's the youth that affects the youth. Their decision to do wrong or right things. Their decision to have sex, take drugs, etc. etc. It's the youths decision to be who they want to be. The youth will have to learn what is right and what is wrong. Parents will try their hardest to teach their kids right from wrong, but will the kids act on them? Some do and some don't. Parents can teach their youth to listen to classical music, but will the youth comply?

 

[Aqualung]

I don't know if you and I have the same understanding for melody? or beat?

Melody, you know, the song has a definite, predominant tune. Beat, the song is moslty beat with little melody.

But I think I might be miss understanding you anyway? It sounds as if you are saying that this pop generation is going bad because they aren't getting their dose of melody? or that beat makes you bad?

Beat doesn't make you bad, no. If you are listening to beat your entire life, though, and not melody, your brain will be more likely wired for beat rather than for melody, which I see as at least one factor in the rised of "ADHD" in children. (I put it in quotes because I'm sure it's not true ADHD)

 

[nutshell]

Aqua...that's an interesting theory about beat and melody. I wonder if a study would reveal that drummers are more likely to have ADD/ADHD than they more musical counterparts.

 

[fromthe heart]

I don't agree that it comes down to 'beat' verses 'melody'...The deaf can only hear beat via vibrations and some of the deaf can play a melody that would melt your heart. I have to agree with one of the posters that said it's more pere pressure than anything and also it can come down to rebellion. I don't know about anyone else but in certian years through life kids like the shock value they get in cetain stiff cuz they get a BIG reaction out of it. During these years you have to be unreactive as a parent. You get better results in rasing kids in the way in which they should go and they will not (totally) depart from it. (BIBLE). If you want to raise your kid with rap...you'll get a rapper. Believe it or not kids actually get their que from thier parents most often...you want a kid that shouts you yell a lot...you want a kid that's quiet...speak in a lower tone that is more respectful. Kids go for what's 'in' because of other kids...so if you want good kids encourage them to be friends with kids whose families have the same ethetics as yours...if you let your kid go play with the wild family that has vulgar music coming through the walls they see that as you giving your permission to do so. Kids rebel with bad music just for the shock factor...kids also want discpline whether they say so or not...the music is just the noise that starts the debate between you and your kids.