by Abby Lynne

Created on: October 28, 2008

Arguments for parental control of teens' music choices

Music is a creative art form used for the expression of feelings. It eases and develops mood through its simple ability to bind emotion with thought. Interpretational, improvisational, rhythmical and dynamic, music is the soul of culture and at the heart of every society.

For centuries music has been used to communicate the unspoken. From the influential and fashionable entry of Rock n Roll in the 1940's to George Michael's sexual displays of the late 80's, music expresses that which is unspoken and communicates with the outside world.

The following article aims to express the reasons of difference between parents and teenagers in an attempt to clarify how and why the subject of music may cause difficulties and potential barriers between the two parties. It is important to remember that every good argument has two sides; thus the beauty of debate and the freedom of choice. This is why I have chosen to take a non biased approach to the factors in discussion. These include content, volume and time restraints (restrictions), all of which are areas of music parents may feel obliged to control.

Content

Content is the organization and communication of words and ideas. Parents will aim to communicate to their children and their children may wish to communicate to the world. Music is often the catalyst or choice of this communication.

The content you connect with in a song will depend heavily on the feelings you are trying to manifest. A teenager may like Metallica because it is noisy, heavy and complicated, much like their emotions and thoughts. Where as an adult may prefer Fleetwood Mac, light and gay in nature, much like a happy adult who is at peace with themselves and their past.

Neither is better, neither is right or wrong, it is simply a matter of expression. The 1960's had the Rolling Stones, the 1970's the sex pistols and today its Eminem and 50 Cent. All were at first deemed politically incorrect but all had their place and time in history and acted as an outward expression for changes in society.

There are good kids out there who love heavy metal purely because it is loud and energetic as they feel they are, they connect to it and it speaks to them. Similarly there are sad and neglected children who prefer laid back and easy listening tracks such as Creed and Alicia Keys.

Anger will be provoked, hearts will be broken and new hope will render strength. All of these emotions will speak to us at different times

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