Music had contributed to the downfall of this generation - at least that's what many politicians, parents, and lobbyists say. Music does have a great impact on our lives, but is it strong enough to make us commit violence? If our parents have taught us right from wrong, it doesn't matter what someone on the radio tells us. Although music may influence us, it has little impact, on it's own, to cause acts of violence. We"re a lot stronger and more intelligent than people think we are. This paper will analyze the destructive themes in music; list concerns parents should have, and include positive solutions to lower destructive behavior.
When kids are younger, they"re interested in Radio Disney, cartoon theme songs, School House Rock, Sesame Street, and Mister Rogers. According to, Joan Raymond, author of "Radio Active", around the critical age of 9, their "allegiance switches" to a top 40 rock station (25). Co-authors of It's Not Only Rock & Roll, Christenson and Roberts, agree it is common for people to question what role music plays in teenager's lives (3). After all, as research from the American Academy of Pediatrics proves, "from infancy to adulthood, it is an integral part of our lives. Teenagers become absorbed in songs they believe help better define them during this rocky transition into adulthood".
Mike Nappa, founder of Nappa-dot-com, declares it is unbelievable to think that in just the short six years between ages 12 and 18, the average teenager will listen to about 10,500 hours of music. During all these hours of music listening, Allan Bloom, author of The Closing of the American mind uncovers that only three lyrical themes exist in rock music sex, hate, and a hypocritical version of brotherly love (74). Even recent president Bill Clinton feels uncomfortable about the current situation. For in his campaign, he "admonished the entertainment media" making references to music companies (Christenson, Roberts 7).
