The influence of rap music is a debatable topic in today’s society. Children and young adolescents are the main targets for this type of music. Scientists strongly believe that rap music is a violent subversion of language and encourages risky behaviors such a criminal activity, alcohol and substance abuse. Unfortunately, listening to this popular music categorizes adolescents into “Goths,” “metal heads” or “punkers.” Suicide is a common outcome from categorization in educational environments. Rap music is the main cause for increased sexual activity amongst 14 and 18 year olds. Although, scientists believe that rap music can promote bad behavior, this kind of music can positively influence a young adolescent’s life. Teens are able to relate to rap music and revive their interest in poetry, self-expression, helps build communicative and language skills. Rap music provides pleasure to all of its listeners of all ages. This influential music can control someone’s mood and enhance certain emotional states. According to Donald F. Roberts, “Music is driven primarily by the motivation to control mood and enhance emotional states. Music’s ability to communicate emotion and influence mood had been widely noted” (Roberts). The influence of rap music is heavily argued among scientists, psychologists and parents nationwide.
“Gangsta” music is believed to encourage risky behaviors amongst young people. The more time teens spend listening to vulgar behaviors administered by rap music, the more teens will practice the language and attitude in real life. Roberts believes that violent lyrics “encourage experimentation with illicit drugs, young audiences presumably must fine violent or substance related messages in the songs.” Violent lyrics are one of the main causes of aggressive behaviors in young adolescents. Many studies show that college students that prefer rap music have more hostile attitudes than other students who prefer a different genre of music. After a one-year study of 522 black girls, living in lower class families, scientists concluded that these girls who viewed “gangsta” music videos and listened to rap music were more likely to hit a teacher, get arrested or partake in destructive behavior, than those who didn’t listen to rap music at all (Kirchheimer). While many scientists believe that rap music influences destructive behavior others think otherwise. According to journalist, Ralph Heibutzki, “rap music can be credited with reviving young students’ interest in poetry and self-expression” (Heibutzki). It also helps build linguistic, communicative and oral narration skills. Rap artists use several literary elements in their songs like similes, metaphors, analogies and rhyming schemes (Anderson). These important essentials provide children with a basic foundation for a long-term development of literacy; which is critical for students receiving a college education (Heibutzki). Rap music is a form of literacy that teens can relate and understand. It’s considered to be a form of urban story-telling and allows today’s youth to tell stories in a more comfortable way while still being heard by others (Anderson). Rap music is beneficial to the youth in today’s society.
Works Cited
Anderson, Aisha N. "Positive Effects of Rap Music | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. 26 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.
Heibutzki, Ralph. "The Effects of Rap Music on Kids | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. 13 Feb. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.
Kirchheimer, Sid. "Does Rap Music Put Teens at Risk?" WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. 3 Mar. 2003. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.
Roberts, Donald F. "Chapter 8." Media Violence and Children: a Complete Guide for Parents and Professionals. By Douglas A. Gentile. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003. 153+. Print.
Probably the worst thing ive ever read, i suggest you just drop out.
ReplyDeleteJk, it was a good paper with good substance, a few more supporting details would be nice, other than that good stuff