Entry 5 - Final

Bar-on, M. “Impact of Music Lyrics and Music Videos on Children and Youth.” AAP Policy. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009. Web. 26 Feb 2012.

“Does Today’s Music have a Negative Influence on Our Youth.” North Carolina State University. N.p., 16 Oct 2006. Web. 26 Feb 2012

Foster the People, . "Torches." . Columbia Entertainment, 05 May 2012. Web. 23 april 2012. <http://www.fosterthepeople.com/us/music/torches>.

Murray, Thomas R. What Schools Ban and Why. Westport, Conn: Praeger, 2008 137-144. Print.

Roberts, D. F.. “Chapter 8 The Effects of Violent Music on Children and Adolescents.” Effects of Violent Music on Children and Adolescents. N.p., 2003. Web. 10 Mar 2012

Samantha-King, J.. “Effect of Rap and Heavy Metal Music Lyrics on Adolescent Behaviors” Clearinghouse Missouri Western. Missouri Western State University 2002. Web. 10 Mar 2012.

Skiba, R., and R. Peterson. Indiana University, 2011. Web. 22 Mar 2012.

 Vaidya, G.. "Music, Emotion, and the Brain." Serendip. N.p., 2004. Web. 22 Mar 2012

Entry 4 - Final

I learned that in the future, evidence could show that music is directly to blame for violence, or that there is no link at all. For now, there are too many other factors such as mental health, home environment, and other outside influences.
     When I started researching this question, I thought that there would be absolutely no relation between the two, but as I did more research and thought about what happens when I listen to music, I realized that there is a connection. I realized that for now, it is shown that music will play a role in someone's emotions, but that is it. In a study done by Donald Roberts, it is shown that while lyrics play some part in violent thoughts in youth emotions, they are not as powerful as visual violence from the media. This research reinforced the point that there is no definite link between music and violence. This study was done by observing children across America and asking them questions such as “What would you take a deserted island?” and “How much time do you spend using these items?” and then it would list things like television, video games, and music devices. Then he would watch children and compare their acts to what they said in the survey.
     In my personal opinion, I think that music is not to blame for violence in today's youth. If a child or teenager does something violent or "acts out", then there are probably other reasons behind it. We need to look at more than just the first answer we can think of, and by doing this, we may find a reason as to why youth act violent. This could be because of hormones, example, or just being a teenager, but if we never look past violent lyrics and music, then we will never know.

Entry 3 - Final

While I agree that music can have an effect on emotions, I don't agree that violent lyrics are solely to blame for violence such as school shootings. Artists, like My Chemical Romance or Eminem, are not the reason teenagers decided to shoot up a school. I feel that it is the same as saying that because a gun was around, it is why someone decided to shoot someone else, when in reality, the person chose to pick up the gun and shoot them for their own personal reasons, not because they got the idea from seeing or hearing something.
     People decided to blame music, specifically Marilyn Manson, because it keeps us from having to see the truth that is right in our faces. The real problem is that we do not open our eyes enough to see when someone is crying out for help. For example, there were many signs that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were going to go on a shooting spree in Columbine High School. This is a school shooting that happened on April 20, 1999 where 13 people died and many more were injured when the two students went through the school shooting everyone they saw.

 One huge example is videos Harris and Klebold were making detailing what they wanted to do. There are many other signs such as "violent writings, uncontrolled anger, threats of violence, destruction of property, etc." (Skiba, and Peterson)
     Do people blame music for violent acts such as school shootings? Yes. Should they? In my opinion, no because there would have to be other problems that could be noticed if people paid enough attention. Not all signs of emotional distress are signs that a child is going to commit a crime or do something violent, but we as a society cannot place the sole blame on something that has no concrete proof in the first place.

Entry 2 - Final

I agree with the statement that music can have an effect on emotions. Everyone has listened to or will listen to music that makes them feel sad, happy, or angry. Also, someone's emotions can affect the music they listen to. Sometimes, people will listen to sad music if they are sad or having a bad day; if they feel good, they will listen to happy music. There has been research into whether or not music has an effect on emotions and almost all research has the conclusion that, yes, music has an effect on emotions. There is a problem with studying music, though. This is the fact that "the emotions in music are very subjective" (Vaidya, 3).

     The emotions someone gets from music all depends on how a person interprets the sound and lyrics. What someone thinks could be happy music, someone else could think is bad. The song Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People is a great example. The music is upbeat and fun, but the lyrics, such as "He found a six-shooter gun in his dad's closet, with the box of fun things" could be seen as disturbing. I had a few people listen to this song and some people thought that the music itself made them happy, but at a closer look to the lyrics, they said that the lyrics are the complete opposite to the music. You can listen to it here:  http://youtu.be/T3ldsF65cLM
     Everyone listens to music, and everyone has emotions. Music and emotions tie together, and each one will affect the other. For example, it is seen in many movies and television shows that when someone goes through a break up, they listen to sad music while they are crying. This is because they are feeling sad, so they will pick a sad song. While it is seen in the movies, it happens in real life. Sometimes, when someone is really upset, they do not want to listen to happy upbeat music because it is not how they are feeling. People are known to go to things they are feeling and what they know, so if at the time they know they are sad or happy, then they will pick the music that goes along with what they are feeling.

Entry 1 - Final

Inquiry Question: Is Music to Blame for Youth Violence?

When a teenager or child acts out violently, people tend to blame the music industry instead of looking at the underlying problems. I chose my inquiry question because I want to see if there is any validity to it. A lot of people say teens who listen to violent music also have negative feelings or act out. I thought it would be interesting to look up if there are any connections between the two and if it is possible to change someone if they listen to a certain type of music. This topic is personal to me because I listen to music all the time, specifically the "type" of music that people say have negative effects and I don't commit crimes, or have violent thoughts because of it. I think it is important because if there is no connection, people are not looking at the real problem behind violence in youth, so the problem would not be solved.