How has the music of today’s generation affected the youth of the generation? How has it affected the older generations?
By Warren Davis
The music of today's generation has a pretty big impact on the community. It ranges from Gangsta' Rap to Rebel Redneck Country; and if you ever have heard these two types of music you probably know what impact it has, from clothes to attitude. Usually when you hear Gangsta' Rap, you often notice the attitude right off the bat, but if you hear something like blues or jazz playing, you can't notice right then and there.
Clothes are a present issue, but I think music kind of influences it more than it should. The same goes for attitude. When you are walking down the street and you see a man with his headphones in and you wave, but he doesn't wave back, what is the first thing you think? You know he could see you, but maybe he was too into his music to even notice you. Another example is that when you see a choir singing or if you meet a choir member after practice, they'll usually either make nice conversation with you about the music or just a normal conversation.
I don't really know how it was like back a few generations but I would say it would've be the same issue. I know that in today's society, music is a very, very big part of our lifestyle and we mostly hear music everyday. I know music is very important in my life and I hope that it will spread across my entire family and to my friends.
By Theresa Burns
Music is a powerful example of creative expression. Every generation attaches itself to the music of their own time because it reminds them of everything they experienced during their formative years.
I think it is hard to really determine how music is affecting our youth. I remember growing up and listening to music that my mother hated – because she thought it was inappropriate and corrupting my mind. I never took music to heart in that way – I was definitely aware of the message it was sending, but I never attached to myself to those messages. Music didn’t inherently change my views on world views or personal relationships. I still grew up to be a kind, responsible, upstanding citizen. Youth attach themselves to things that help them understand and express their emotions, and help them to cope or understand current feelings and emotions. I think the violence and vulgarity present in music of our current generation is unnecessary – but I also feel that many of our youth would agree. If anything, I feel it has made the youth of generation less aware of respectful attitudes towards people in general –I have personally witnessed more profanity, more acts of violence, less respect to elders, but I know that is more than music – it is culture in general.
The music of older generations, especially those who grew up during the Civil Rights movement, was a vehicle for social awareness and change. Music of this time period was meant to be uplifting, unifying and the sole purpose was to promote unity. I think older generations are very thankful for music that led to great social change. Music in their eyes wasn’t meant to promote violence and hatred, while some of the music of today does. It saddens the older generation to see the future of America turning to hate as a common theme in music.
Every generation hopes that the next generation will bring positive change to our world. I feel the older generation is concerned for the hope of our country’s future due to the possible effects of violence and lack of respect today’s music.
