by JRR

Created on: November 03, 2008   Last Updated: December 27, 2008

Technically the teenage years range from 13-19, a mere six years in a persons life. During those six years a great deal of changes take place, both physically and emotionally. Maturity increases, knowledge and understanding expand, even though sometimes it may not seem like it.

The teenage years are a time of self growth, exploration and expression. It is a time unique in some ways to each individual, yet also the same in general ways. One of the ways they express themselves is through their music. If they are anything like my teen, their music changes as they do.

With all the explicit and violent lyrics present in some genres of music parental monitoring is essential. Especially with younger teens. Where older teens are concerned it is different. At 18 they are legally an adult. They are legally old enough to join the military and get married. By this point their choice in music is beyond parental control or monitoring. it is the values you taught them that to a point will influence their choices. Due to this fact I will direct this more toward younger teens. Now why should parents monitor and control what their young teens listen to?

Some teens idolize these artists. Want to be like them. They sometimes can't differentiate between the lyrics they hear and the artists themselves. They don't realize that just because the singer is singing about killing someone or themselves, or being derogatory to women that it is something they actually do.

Teens sometimes try to emulate what they hear. Acting out the lyrics. Imitating what they think the artists do. Some types of music may put thoughts and ideas into their heads into their heads they wouldn't otherwise be exposed to, or they may reinforce ones that are already there.

I do not feel there is any one specific genre that is worse than others, or more harmful to listen to. It is more about specific songs or artists. It is up to the parents to pay attention to what their teens are listening to and take the appropriate action from there.

Certain lyrics talk about multiple sex partners, rape, degrading a certain group or gender. Songs like Chicken Hunting by Insane Clown Posse (ICP) talk about killing a certain group because of who they are; "...Barrels in your mouth, bullets to your head, The back of your necks all over the shed..."

Even country songs have questionable lyrics such as Brad Paisley and Allison Krause's Angel Lullaby; "She put the bottle to her head and pulled the trigger, finally drank away his memory...", making reference to suicide and the use of alcohol to deal with heartache.

It is up to the parent to be sure their teens understand the differences. That they don't just say you can't listen to certain music but to take the time to explain why. To be knowledgeable in what they are saying, and willing to understand their teens point of view also.

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