Letter of the Day | Violent music negatively impacting youth
Published:Tuesday | February 21, 2023 | 12:21 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
As a proud citizen of Jamaica, I am appalled at the cruel ‘beat down’ of that helpless Denham Town High School male student this past week. We are indeed a violent society.
I wish to draw our attention on one aspect in our culture that I believe contributes greatly to our propensity for violence– our music.
While many people argue that violent music can be a form of self-expression or a reflection of society’s problems, there are dangers associated with young people listening to violent music.
Numerous studies have linked exposure to violent media, including music, to an increase in aggression, both physical and verbal. This is particularly true for young people, who are still developing their sense of self and learning how to interact with the world around them. Listening to violent music can normalise aggressive behaviour, making it more likely that young people will engage in violent speech and behaviour themselves.
An interesting passage of scripture posits, “... for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).
Have we ever listened to how youngsters talk among themselves these days? Where is all this aggression and foul language coming from? A large part of this behaviour is found in the violent music they listen to.
Another potential danger is the impact it can have on their mental health. Some research suggest that listening to violent music can lead to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Further, violent music desensitises young people to violence and makes them less empathetic towards others. Finally, exposure to violent music can also have a negative impact on young people’s academic performance. Studies have shown that exposure to violent media, including music, can lead to lower grades, poor concentration, and a lack of motivation.
This can also lead to a decrease in interest in school and other academic activities, as young people may become more focused on violent or aggressive behaviours instead. It would be interesting to learn who are the favourite artistes of those two Denham Town schoolboys who used their victim as a football.
While music can be a powerful tool for self-expression and creativity, exposure to violent music can be dangerous for young people. As parents, teachers and caregivers, it is important to monitor the music that young people are exposed to and have open and honest conversations about the potential risks and dangers of listening to violent music.
MAURICE BROWN