Can music affect the way people act? Why are violent acts blamed on heavy, metal, hip-hop, and rap?
People blame music for killings and other acts of violence because they think the words in different songs can affect a person's view on how to handle different situations. More often than not, however, a person who commits acts of violence in mentally unstable, with or without music. One example of this is the incident that took place at Columbine High School in Colorado. Where two teenagers killed 15 students, and then killed themselves. Altogether, Eric Harris and Dyan Klebold injured 24 people during that incident in 1999, and metal music, specifically Marilyn Manson, was blamed for what happened. Mental issues were really to blame in this case, as the perpetrators had a history of getting picked on in school, which probably led to a mental breakdown.
In conclusion, I think that the media often blames music and lyrics for acts of violence when the issue really is mental problems. Instead of blaming music, we should focus more on getting people help for any mental issues they may have and make sure we keep our facts straight on criminals who commits these crimes.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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20 comments:
Hi Brandon,
Great analysis!
Here's a question for thought: how can we determine if music exacerbates pre-existing mental conditions (that is, the person already had problems and music made them worse) or if music causes mental conditions (that is, "I heard that song and I starting thinking about doing bad things"). Is there a way to tell?
I agree with you that violence cannot be totally blamed on music, but I have always believed that what you take in (eat, listen to, etc.) influences what comes out. As my grandmother would say, "Garbage in, garbage out." Do you agree with that statement?
Ms. Naomi
This is an excellent piece. Good work, Brandon.
This is a really good topic. I really like what you have written. I think there are a lot of different ways to approach this.
One thing that I wonder is- How can the government condemn musicians for encouraging violence in their music and then turn around and bomb countries that it disagrees with? Does that teach young people that violence is a solution?
I think music can effect your moods. Listen to a LOVE SONG when you are happily "in love" and everything is great, but if you just broke up with someone.... that same song can make you mad at the world or cry like a baby. Lots of athletes use music to get them "hyped" and/or "focused". But does that make the player have a good or bad game???? CVH
good job this is true !
Music stirs emotions in people but it cannot be said to cause people to commit senseless crimes. When society tries to place the blame of peoples wrong doing on things like music and tv it's because they are unwilling to accept responisbility for their actions.
Good job Brandon. I to think music affect people differt. TVF
Hi Brandon. I understand your point. Still, I think that music, media as a whole, influences people. That influence may not be as noticable at the individual level. But music does change the culture. Who knows what that leads to.
JSW
Music has nothing to do with it,... they were already mentally unstable.
I feel you have made a good point about people putting all the blame soully on music. Nonetheless, music isn't totally innocent in putting out their suggestive lyrics to the public airwave,especially to kids who are impressionable. Kids listen to those words as they are literal gospel. In fact, our whole environment has a direct and indirect relationship to shaping kids life!
Hello Brandon,
That was a very good point and observation you made on the subject. However music can still have effects on people with weak will and stability. Google the effects of classical music and you will have an idea of hope music effect the mind and then think of the person with a weak mental state, not necessarily a ill mental state.
Good work. Yahya
the media blames the music because america is celebrity hungry. they want every chance to praise a celebrity and every chance to blame the celebrity. If i listen to 50 cents, most violent record it will not make me go and kill my neighbor. the problem the kids have is that this was going on for a while maybe even years. this is build up anger and hatred.the media should look to the source "the parents"
Hi Brandon
This is a very good observation. Hoewever, it is coming from a person who seems to be mentally stable, thank God. for those who do not have this stability, anything, such as music, can effect them. You are right. More emphasis should be on mental health, for both the listeners and the writers of music.
Hi Brandon,
I agree with you that mental issues play an important part on some of the acts of violence that happen today but I also feel lyrics of songs have an influence on people. Some of the songs today express lots of violence by some of our leading songsters and some of the listeners feel they want to live up to what the songs say.
Hi Brandon,
This is very insightful. I agree music can influence behavior. The good thing is that "good" music has the same power.
Well done!
U have a good point Brandon
Hi Brandon,
I feel the same way about mental health, We try and put it under the table because we do not know how to deal with it, we try to put the blame on music
This is very well done and makes a great point.
Great job Brandon, keep up the good work!
Point well taken
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