ADN

Okay... I am writing a feature news article on whether or not Music, More specificaly Hip Hop, is a major cause of Youth Violence in america today. I am looking for honest opinions and true facts.

Any links to any sites or documents [etc] that will prove this right or wrong?
Your thoughts on this? Polls? Surveys? Other Articles?


Any help is greatly appreciated...

Thank you for posting this, I hope we do not dissapoint you...

I for one, love this kind of work, as it is the base for nearly all arguments...On one hand you have observation, and on another, you have experience...

You would be hard pressed to explain the phenomena of the influence of hip hop, "gangsta" rap, etc...I have listened to every imagineable rap song, about every subject...Yet, I've never done ANY of it...I've lived in good neighborhoods, bad neighborhoods...

And, while I won't downplay envioronment as a big factor in such things, it can only explain so much...I hardly doubt that the kids that shot up Columbine high school were listening to Bone Thugs and Harmony, when they did what they did...

I have no real proof of it, but I bet that if you could find a single denominator in all youth violence, it would be related to upbringing, trauma inflicted mentally or physically, IN THE HOME...It all starts, and begins with parenting...

Of course, this is in the ideal situation, that the child is "normal" in all regards to temperment, opportunity, biological and chemical balances, etc...In the ultimate test bed, two people that grew up in the same house, with the same rules, and parenting, are not guaranteed to be similar...At all, in fact...My brother and I shared the same room until I was 17 or 18, yet, we are extremely different...I'm neat, he's not so neat, for example...I'm sure you can think of several instances of your own, that will yield similar results...

I should really sit down and do some reseach on this, as I am sure that I may be on to something...During my pseudo psychology sessions in the crime library, I started to cogitate on a theory that involves an idea I call "individual reaction to a stimulus," my Catalyst theory...

It is a bit lengthy, but what is boils down to is that there are certain biological and spiritual elements that make us who we are....It allows for us to be the culmination of many things, yet, ultimately make us individuals...It involves a specific or exposure to several key stiumlus, within certain degrees, that spark reactions in people...

For instance, I see Monica Bellucci, and instantly feel one way, regardless of my position, in any arena...You may see Monica, and feel a slight variation, if any at all...But, depending on your surroundings, it affects you in different ways, which will lead to a predictable behavior...Exposing an individual to various triggers of the same stimuli, and perhaps finding a common trait, could more accuately determine behavior, on both individual and group social levels...

IE, for me to listen to a song like MC Eiht's "One Less Nigga," in the context of my current condition, would not make me want to get up and shoot someone...But if I were angry, and in the mood for such a deed, hearing that song could be a catalyst for such an act...On the other hand, you may hear that song, while you are picking flowers in a field, and instantly, want to kill the first person you see...Others, will hear that song, and not experience anything...

I think that too much emphasis is put on outside influence, basically...Another part of my "Catalyst" theory, is called "Individual Assessment of Responsibility..." It involves an individual being able to determine his or her self worth to humanity in an instant, in regards to their own, or someone elses situation...

I used an example that I once posted in the forum, of a young lady that was brutally murdered outside of an apartment complex....The assailant tried to murder her, thought someone was coming, left her wounded for a short while of about 15 minutes, and then came back to finish the job...Up to 40 persons heard the crime taking place, yet noone called the authorities, or ran to see the commotion...

Her murderer, was not a common criminal or thug...He did not even have a police record...He was a man with a family, and a common job...You can see how my theory circles around, to explain or try to explain behavior...Not all violent crimes have hip hop music as a factor...

The idea of such a thing playing a major role in youth crime, is obsurd...There are WAY too many other things to consider...

AYHJA

IMO, friends and family, the order of importance varies with the individual. However, I absolutely think that the media has quite a huge impact on a brain in development, but it stands to reason that your strongest influence would be those you consider true guides. In other words, I think, if left unsupervised and up to a child's reasoning, the assault of images and sounds you get from today's media can have a lasting influence in a child exposed. Parenting, counseling and positive peer reinforcement can balance these things out.
Obviously, you can tell I'm no expert on this subject, but I definitely enjoy observing my surroundings and specifically the patterns and tribe-dynamics in others around me. I've often noticed that although my contemporaries have, for the most part, been exposed to the same ads, TV shows and music, our responses to outside stimuli varies individually. They become much more predictable when you hear about their upbringing and anecdotes about school, sports, and their views on love and/or relationships.
I think an individual's need for social acceptance is a far more accurate measurement for their motives and behaviour than their taste in music. Actually, even that is a product of peer pressure. your peers change, so does your taste in music and clothing. The strenght of character and the ability to withstand said pressure is more likely to be aquired in the family unit, rather than the lyrics in an album...no matter how "We Are One" the message might be.
Do I think the media has an influence?, abso-fucking-loooooootley, but how you process and analyze that information as an individual, is the result of positive guidance, so, whomever you consider to be a true guide, will most likely be held as a standard on how to live your life.

I found a few sites dealing with this, I haven't read everything they have to offer so, you be the judge. I'd probably read the experts before I take into account my little diatribe.

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/i ... inment.cfm
http://www.dvinstitute.org/2004/welcome.htm
http://www.vibe.com/modules.php?op=modl ... le&sid=279
http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1114/p01s04-ussc.html

Much Appreciated.. Im going to be checking out them sites... And Really use the shit you said...

I don't particularly like hiphop music and rap music at all, but I don't blame ANY music for inciting violence.

Thanks everyone... A lot of Anti-Hate groups point their fingers at "rap" as the cause. Like when Eminem (if he still is) was the target of Gay-Hate.. Or w/e you call it..

agreed with ayhja