Article: Can Music be a Bad Influence

Web Address: http://www.livestrong.com/article/1000832-can-music-bad-influence-kids-teens/

Music has the potential to be a major influence in a child's life. According to the Kaiser Family
Foundation, the average child listens to more than 2 1/2 hours of music daily. Music does not
necessarily pose problems for teenagers who live a balanced and healthy lifestyle, according to
the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The site does warn, however, that,
"If a teenager is persistently preoccupied with music that has seriously destructive themes, and
there are changes in behavior such as isolation, depression, alcohol or other drug abuse,
evaluation by a qualified mental health professional should be considered."
Sexualized Behavior
Most song lyrics don't discuss dangers of sexual activity, such as unplanned pregnancy or
sexually transmitted diseases. Instead, music often glorifies promiscuity and promotes gender
stereotypes. According to a study published by the journal "Pediatrics" titled "Exposure to
Degrading Versus Non Degrading Music Lyrics and Sexual Behavior Among Youth,"
adolescents who listen to degrading sexual lyrics are more likely to engage in riskier sexualized
behavior. Degrading lyrics tend to objectify both genders and portray men as sex-driven and
women as sexual objects.
Suicide
Research about whether music can increase a teen's suicide risk is mixed. When song lyrics
focus on death and suicide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry warns
that it can make suicide seem like a good solution to problems. According to an article published
by the journal "Pediatrics," "Heavy metal and some rock music have been associated in some
studies with an increased risk of suicide." However, a more recent study published by the
"Journal of Youth and Adolescence," states, "It seems that listening to music to express
uncomfortable emotions could be a rather effective coping mechanism for girls since it reduces
the risk for suicidal behaviors."
Aggression
Listening to lyrics that involve guns, violence and aggressive behavior can have a negative
influence on youth. According to a 2003 study published in the "Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology," violent lyrics increase both aggressive thoughts and aggressive feelings.
The study also warns, "Repeated exposure to violent lyrics may contribute to the development
of an aggressive personality."
Substance Abuse
Drug and alcohol use is often glamorized in song lyrics and in music videos. John Hopkins
Children's Center reports that alcohol is portrayed in music videos once every 14 minutes.
According to a study published in the journal "Pediatrics," "Increased television and music video
viewing are risk factors for the onset of alcohol use in adolescents." Music often portrays
substance use as cool without showing the negative consequences of addiction.

A: Paraphrase
Par. 1: Music is big thing. The average child listens to 2 hours of music every day.
Music is a very effective thing and it poses many problems for teenagers.

Par. 2: Song Lyrics can include a lot of gender stereotypes. It can also engage the
listener by having sexual thoughts and by that leading to sexual activity.
Par. 3: Some Song Lyrics can focus on death and suicide. Genres like Heavy metal and
Rock Music associate with a lot of suicidal behaviors.
Par. 4: Aggression is a big part. It can have a negative influence on youth.
Par. 5: Drug and Alcohol associate a lot with song lyrics and is portrayed a lot in music
videos.
B: Explicating
1. Music is a big thing and has a purpose in the world but it can create many side
effects and have a negative influence on a youth.
2. In Other Words, Music is affecting kids in a bad way and it is changing them, but
they do not realize it.
3. The mood of the text is very forward and reaching to the audience.
4. The Author's Tone is very Direct and Confident because it feels like he is trying to
reach out to the audience and inform them what is happening.
5. For example, if a 13 yr-old was listening to rock, then that thirteen year old would
act more aggressive because of the music and how it reacts to his body.
6. It is very important to what kind of music you listen to because you do not know
how your body can react to it. If you do listen to music and it has very strong language
then I suggest not learning from it or listening to it.
C: Analyzing logic of what we are Reading
1. The main purpose of this article is that Music has a purpose in the world but not a
negative one. It is their for a reason. Music can have many side effects if you take it the
wrong way.
2. The Key question that the author is addressing is How can we fix this and treat
Music in a positive way?
3. The most important information in this article is that Song Lyrics can lead to
sexual behaviors and also other effects like aggressiveness and suicide.
4. The main inferences/conclusions in this article are that Sexualized Behavior,
aggressiveness, suicide, and substance abuse all lead up to one thing and that is
because youth today are learning from the music they are listening.
5. The author is trying to convince the audience that Music changes people but one
way to avoid it is to not learn from Music because it can definitely change your world.

D: Inference vs. Assumption

1. The Key idea you need to understand in this article is that all Music is bad but
when faulty music comes on, you learn from it and you do not realize how much it can
change you.
2. The Author wants readers to take this seriously because it is very important that
Music can affect people and have an impact on them.
3. The main point of view presented is showing the side effects of what Music can
do to you and how it changes you. It also depends on how you dress and talk. There is
many ways that it can influence you.

Article: Under the Influence of Music?

Web Address: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/under-the-influence-ofmusic/?_r=1
Teenagers listen to an average of nearly 2.5 hours of music per day. Guess what theyre hearing
about? One in three popular songs contains explicit references to drug or alcohol use, according
to a new report in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. That means kids are
receiving about 35 references to substance abuse for every hour of music they listen to, the
authors determined.
While songs about drugs and excess are nothing new, the issue is getting more attention
because so many children now have regular access to music out of the earshot of parents.
Nearly 9 out of 10 adolescents and teens have an MP3 player or a compact disc player in their
bedrooms.Studies have long shown that media messages have a pronounced impact on
childhood risk behaviors. Exposure to images of smoking in movies influences a childs risk for
picking up the habit. Alcohol use in movies and promotions is also linked to actual alcohol use.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine studied the 279 most popular
songs from 2005, based on reports from Billboard magazine, which tracks popular music.
Whether a song contained a reference to drugs or alcohol varied by genre. Only 9 percent of
pop songs had lyrics relating to drugs or alcohol. The number jumped to 14 percent for rock
songs, 20 percent for R&B and hip-hop songs, 36 percent for country songs and 77 percent for
rap songs.
Notably, smoking references arent that common in music today, with only 3 percent of the
songs portraying tobacco use. About 14 percent of songs spoke of marijuana use, 24 percent
depicted alcohol use, and another 12 percent included reference to other substances. About 4
percent of the songs contained anti drug and alcohol messages.The study authors noted that
music represents a pervasive source of exposure to positive images of substance use. The
average adolescent is exposed to approximately 84 references to explicit substance use per
day and 591 references per week, or 30,732 references per year. The average adolescent
listening only to pop would be exposed to 5 references per day, whereas the average
adolescent who listens just to rap would be exposed to 251 references per day.
Whether any of this matters remains an open question. While the impact of exposure to images
of smoking and alcohol in film has been well documented, less is known about the effect of
music on childhood risk behaviors.
Although music lacks the visual element of film, adolescent exposure to music is much more
frequent, accounting for an average of 16 hours each week for music compared with about 6
hours each week for movie images, according to the study authors. But frequency of exposure
is not the only factor. Unlike visual media, music is a powerful social force that also taps into an
individuals personal identity, memories and mood.
Music is well-known to connect deeply with adolescents and to influence identity development,
perhaps more than any other entertainment medium, said the study authors.
A: Paraphrase

Par. 1: Teenagers listen to Music daily for about three hours. What they do not realize is
that 35 references of abuse is being received for every hour they listen to.
Par. 2: This paragraph talks about the effects of music and song lyrics. It can lead to
drugs and alcohol abuse.
Par. 3: Only 9 percent of songs on the Billboard chart had lyrics related to drugs and
alcohol.
Par. 4: Drugs and smoking is not used in many songs.
Par. 5: Many effects can be handed to your child because of the music they listen to
Par. 6: Music lacks film, but music accounts for 16 hrs every week. Music is a very
powerful social force that affects your mood and personality.
B: Explicating
1. The Main point is that Music has its values. It can really change a person. It can
also tap into a persons mood and individual identity.
2. In other words, Music can change your mood and emotions because you can be
happy, sad, etc.
3. The mood is very direct and commanding.
4. The tone is very hopeful and understanding. The author is trying to communicate
with the reader by stating his opinion and being confident in his words.
5. If a young child listens to Rap for a year then she would definitely have a different
attitude and personality.
6. I usually do not listen to very aggressive music because I do not like it, but if it
comes up, I try to avoid the lyrics.
C: Analyzing logic of what we are Reading
1. The main purpose of this article is that Music has a purpose in the world but not a
negative one. It is their for a reason. Music can have many side effects if you take it the
wrong way.
2. The Key question that the author is addressing is How can we fix this and treat
Music in a positive way?
3. The most important information in this article is that most Song Lyrics do not
have drugs involved in it. Also Music can really get to your emotions and change your
attitude.
4. The main inferences/conclusions in this article is that Mood and emotion all lead
up to one thing and that is because youth today are learning from the music because of
the bad decisions they make.
5. The author is trying to convince the audience that Music changes people but one
way to avoid it is to not learn from Music because it can definitely change your world.

D: Inference vs. Assumption

1. The Key idea you need to understand in this article is that all Music is bad but
when faulty music comes on, you learn from it and you do not realize how much it can
change you.
2. The Author wants readers to take this seriously because it is very important that
Music can affect people and have an impact on them.

3. The main point of view presented is showing the side effects of what Music can
do to you and how it changes you. It also depends on how you dress, talk, and how you
act personally. There is many ways that it can influence you.