Music Lyrics and Today's Society
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Welcome back and thank you for visiting. It is truly a pleasure working with Jessica on our new publication - Variety of Views. We will be adding a new team member very soon. I am eager to share my personal experience along with research on topics that elicit various responses and opinions from our readers. This weeks topic is music lyrics and today's society. As I briefly mentioned in my bio, I am studying to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor. Last semester in my class, Drugs, Society, & Human Behavior, our professor asked us to bring in music lyrics that mentioned illicit drugs, for extra credit. There are songs that mention all types of drugs from heroin to marijuana, therefore the assignment wasn't difficult.
Throughout the semester, my mind raced with countless thoughts when it came time to complete this assignment. I began to wonder, "Did I truly ignore the lyrics to every song, prior to the assignment?" or, "Perhaps, I have been fixated on a specific verse or maybe the instrumental tune or beat?" I believe we tend to focus on what stands out to us. The assignment was easy because I was searching for drug-related words and did not consider whether or not I enjoyed the actual music. I had difficulty with the realization that I never truly paid attention to the lyrics. I now hear everything. Our society doesn't support drug use, or does it? It shouldn't, however, the message being brought forth is negative. The music artist speaks about illicit drugs with purpose and justification. Yet we teach our children not to use drugs - contradicting!
In fact, The New York Times published a post that discussed that while illicit drugs have always been present in song lyrics throughout music history, teens and young adults have increased access to music with advanced technology. They are hearing drug references much more frequently, 35 times per hour for every hour of music they listen to. Just the other day, my 14-year-old son was playing a song that made several references to cocaine, using slang. Acting as if I didn't know what the artist was referring to I asked, "What the heck does he mean?" My son replied, "Oh, cocaine - the drug!" Naturally, I asked him to turn it off. He asked, "Why?" My reply, "Do you think this is a good song?" The conversation abruptly ended. The song was turned off, but what happens when they are alone? Or, other parents and caregivers do not realize the extent of these explicit lyrics. There is only so much that is under our control. Something else to think about are the areas in society that believe it is the norm to use substances and act-out according to the lyrics. This is happening, too!
We cannot simply force society to STOP listening. We also cannot ignore what we hear. One recovery expert shares suggestions about talking to your children about what they are listening to. Shelley Mowrey, the Director of Communications for DrugFreeAZ.org suggests using the lyrics we hear as teachable moments. Don't lie when communicating with your children. It is best they hear the truth from their parent rather than a friend or the internet. Encourage good choices and open communication. Don't leave them believing drug use is the norm as depicted in many of today's lyrics. Teach them about consequences and the true dangers of drug use.
I'd love to hear from our readers. What are your thoughts and opinions on music and today's society? Has it gotten worse over time? What should be done?
Throughout the semester, my mind raced with countless thoughts when it came time to complete this assignment. I began to wonder, "Did I truly ignore the lyrics to every song, prior to the assignment?" or, "Perhaps, I have been fixated on a specific verse or maybe the instrumental tune or beat?" I believe we tend to focus on what stands out to us. The assignment was easy because I was searching for drug-related words and did not consider whether or not I enjoyed the actual music. I had difficulty with the realization that I never truly paid attention to the lyrics. I now hear everything. Our society doesn't support drug use, or does it? It shouldn't, however, the message being brought forth is negative. The music artist speaks about illicit drugs with purpose and justification. Yet we teach our children not to use drugs - contradicting!
In fact, The New York Times published a post that discussed that while illicit drugs have always been present in song lyrics throughout music history, teens and young adults have increased access to music with advanced technology. They are hearing drug references much more frequently, 35 times per hour for every hour of music they listen to. Just the other day, my 14-year-old son was playing a song that made several references to cocaine, using slang. Acting as if I didn't know what the artist was referring to I asked, "What the heck does he mean?" My son replied, "Oh, cocaine - the drug!" Naturally, I asked him to turn it off. He asked, "Why?" My reply, "Do you think this is a good song?" The conversation abruptly ended. The song was turned off, but what happens when they are alone? Or, other parents and caregivers do not realize the extent of these explicit lyrics. There is only so much that is under our control. Something else to think about are the areas in society that believe it is the norm to use substances and act-out according to the lyrics. This is happening, too!
We cannot simply force society to STOP listening. We also cannot ignore what we hear. One recovery expert shares suggestions about talking to your children about what they are listening to. Shelley Mowrey, the Director of Communications for DrugFreeAZ.org suggests using the lyrics we hear as teachable moments. Don't lie when communicating with your children. It is best they hear the truth from their parent rather than a friend or the internet. Encourage good choices and open communication. Don't leave them believing drug use is the norm as depicted in many of today's lyrics. Teach them about consequences and the true dangers of drug use.
I'd love to hear from our readers. What are your thoughts and opinions on music and today's society? Has it gotten worse over time? What should be done?
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