Music's Deadly Influence     8/3/1999

Have you paid much attention to the music your kids listen to? Or do you just leave them alone and attribute their taste to teenage trends? A report recently released by Free Congress Foundation, written by Thomas L. Jipping, M.A., J.D., should motivate you to pay attention to the content of the songs.

The 18-page report, entitled ”There Is a Virus Loose Within Our Culture: An Honest Look at Music's Impact,“ includes 140 footnotes that document the link between violence and certain types of music. More than 200 grassroots organizations, including CWA, have endorsed the report. Eighteen religious leaders-evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish-have also endorsed it. Seventeen elected officials signed on the document, including those from communities devastated by youth violence-Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado), Rep. Bob Barr (R-Georgia), Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Kentucky) and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R).

The topic involves more than entertainment preference. ”Popular music is the single most influential factor for many young people, and intuition, experience and research show this is an issue of potential harm, not just an issue of taste,“ stated Thomas Jipping, Director of the Free Congress Foundation's Center for Law & Democracy. ”[The report] absolutely demolishes the music industry's claim that music stops affecting its consumers after the sale is made“ (Free Congress Foundation press release, 7/16/99).

Mr. Jipping doesn't cast a blanket statement over all popular music, but he does highlight the prevalence of violent images and descriptions in many rock music songs today. He included a list of over 200 controversial bands, many whose names are barely mentionable. Probably the most well-known violent figure in music is Marilyn Manson. Many recent teen murderers indulged in his satanic music. One of his albums is called ”Antichrist Superstar.“

The purpose of the report is not to propose that popular music is the sole cause of violence, but to demonstrate how it contributes to destructive and violent behavior. Some of the facts the document highlights include:

• Estimates of how often teens listen to music range from four to six hours a day. Today's technology makes music more portable (e.g. CD walkmans).

• Dr. Joseph Steussy, professor of music history at the University of Texas, confirms that music affects behavior, psychologically and physiologically.

• Child psychologist Dr. David Elkind states that ”music can influence young people as much as any visual media.“ Teenagers rate music ahead of religion, books and television as factors that greatly influence their generation.

• ”The vast majority of studies conclude that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between media violence [including music videos] and real-life violence“ (American Academy of Pediatrics).

• In the mid-1980s, more than 50 percent of the popular music videos shown on MTV included episodes of violence.

• By 1995, only 10 of the 40 most popular CDs were free of profanity or lyrics dealing with drugs, violence and sex.

• The American Medical Association asserts, ”The vivid depiction of drug and alcohol use, suicide, violence, demonology, sexual exploitation, racism and bigotry could be harmful to some people.“

• ”The National Education Association estimates that many of the 5000 teenage suicides each year are linked to depression fueled by fatalistic music and lyrics.“

• A 1994 University of Michigan study concluded that ”[g]lamorization in the music industry has been an important determinant“ of increased drug use by teenagers.

  [Thomas L. Jipping, M.A., J.D., ”There Is a Virus Loose Within Our Culture: An Honest Look at Music's Impact,“ Washington, D.C.: Free Congress Foundation, 1999]

This important report elaborates upon the facts mentioned above. It is a valuable tool for parents, teachers, clergy, lawmakers and concerned citizens. The issue of teen angst cannot be simplified to a discussion of music. However, undoubtedly this medium has a strong hold on the minds of today's youth.

CWA urges parents to get involved with their children and pay attention to their music choices, television viewing and Internet browsing. Engage your children in meaningful conversations about their lives and choices, and encourage them to get involved in positive extracurricular activities. Our teens have incredible potential for making a positive impact on culture. Let's steer them in the right direction.

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