Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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How music videos influence your child By SHAVAUGHN MOSS ~ Lifestyles Editor ~ shavaughn@nasguard.com: Alison Colebrooke, a mother of six knows all too well about having to police children and keep them on the straight and narrow as far as their listening to inappropriate music and music videos on television. From the time, they were able to understand right from wrong, she put her foot down, and she says it has worked for her. "But make no mistake, I do police them," said the 35-year-old, tourist sector employee, who is the mother of children who range in ages from six to 18. A few weeks ago, the Miley Cyrus concert at Atlantis, was the place to be for pre-teens and teenagers. For one nine-year-old girl, "square" was her name when she returned to school, because she was practically the only student in her class that had not been allowed to attend the concert. Her mother felt that the Miley Cyrus songs were too mature for her daughter. The child definitely does not get to watch the music videos either. In reality, the Hannah Montana songs and music videos are tame in comparison to some that many children are listening to, and which they watch for hours on end as their source of entertainment, with the messages in the videos, and lyrics of the songs more often-than-not, becoming the school of thought they ascribe to. But, one psychologist is urging parents to be aware, that music and music videos play a big part of their children's lives — especially as they enter adolescence -- and that they have the ability to access music anywhere and anytime. She encouraged parents to be careful in observing what music their children listen to, because she says the kind of lyrics they listen to can be just as deadly as weapons, guns and knives. "Within our Bahamian culture, music defines not only a teenager's identity but also speaks to who we are as a people. It defines our social and sub-cultural boundaries," says Dr. Novia Carter-Higgs, a psychologist and member of the National Child Protection Council (NCPC). "Research from the United States indicates that on average, teens listen to music an average of 40 hours per week. We can extrapolate from that number to assume that Bahamian children follow a similar pattern," she says. Colebrooke, who has been living at her current residence for two years, says she's only allowed basic cable to be installed in the last two. She's also allowed one television into the children's bedroom, and does room checks to see if the television is off when it should be. "Once you set down your rules and they understand what you stand for as a parent, then it isn't hard for them to understand what they're supposed to watch. Now, when it comes to music it's hard. We don't have a computer in the house, so they give their Ipods to friend to download music, so I have to screen, and what I don't like I delete," she said. "Those of us who were around 25 years ago can attest to the fact that the popularity of music videos was born on Aug. 1, 1981 with the birth of Music Television (MTV). In fact, I remember sitting down to watch Michael Jackson's 17-minute "Thriller" video and feeling like I was watching a movie rather than a music video. What is really interesting is that back in 1983 when "Thriller" débuted critics were afraid that it was too graphic and scary for teen-aged viewers," said Dr. Carter. She says during the past 20 years, the music industry has become more explicit, and that lyrics explicitly make reference to drugs, sex, violence and sexual violence. "Music videos create environments where pregnancy, drug use, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome [AIDs] and other sexually transmitted diseases, injuries, homicide and suicide are daily images for children. Preschool children sing and dance to songs that contain negative and destructive themes which advocate and glamorize abuse of drugs and alcohol. Pictures and explicit lyrics present suicide as an 'alternative' or 'solution,' or graphic violence, and sex which focuses on control, sadism, masochism, incest, children devaluing women, and violence toward women." Dr. Carter, the senior school psychologist at the Ministry of Education's special education unit says that many teenagers watch music videos because they feel that there is some connection with the persons in the videos and themselves. And that they believe the images will help define who they are during their rocky transition into adulthood years. "The music videos have the ability to lull and disinhibit teenagers. This makes it easier to suspend reality. As a result, teenagers watch their music "soaps" or sitcoms , which glamorize the heroes and justify their own aggressive and violet behavior." She says the members of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development contend that the outcomes of several research studies indicate that exposure to music videos have led to an increase in reports of body dissatisfaction; an increase in alcohol consumption; an increase in the amount of teens who engage in risky sexual behaviors; aggression, and acceptance that violence is an alternative to conflict resolution. But, Dr. Carter says you don't have to ban your teen from watching music videos, because she says they are not dangerous for teenagers who have balanced and healthy lives. Colebrooke says her children dance, but are tempered with church activities, so she doesn't have to screen for a lot of inappropriate material. She is also cognizant of the fact that not all children are the same, and says that parents should be able to tell what's causing their children harm, and to change what needs to be changed. "We're building our home now, but I've put my foot down, and told the kids that there won't be any televisions inside the rooms. I told them they have the summer, and a week before school opens, after that, the televisions are coming out of the room." She knows that parents have a lot to deal with policing children when it comes to song lyrics and music videos, but as a parent of six, she says she's been blessed. Dr. Carter says teens who are persistently preoccupied with music with seriously destructive themes, can heighten the likelihood of the images becoming a part of the persona of the child. "Make no mistake about it, music can summon a range of emotions, most of which are positive. However, a lot of the music that the teenage culture finds popular communicates potentially harmful health messages, especially when it reaches a vulnerable teen-aged audience." She is of the belief that many young people are losing their moral center. "Responsibility, respect and discipline which were principles ingrained upon us as a people for generations seem to be a thing of the past. Crime and violence have escalated to the point where it is a public health problem. An awareness of, and sensitivity to, the potential impact of music videos on the lives of our children is a step in the right direction. It is imperative for parents to listen to lyrics or to watch with their children videos that are not violent, sexist, drug-oriented, or anti-social. "It is important for parents to become more media literate . This will empower parents with the skills to critique media and to have an awareness of what messages are being sent thorough youth euphemisms. Parents would then be able to talk to children about the images being depicted and to [explain] to children what is being depicted in the video. For example in watching music videos young person may become fascinated with the pimp culture — the expensive cars, homes, lavish lifestyle and of course the gold digging glamorous girlfriend. However, these girlfriends are depicted as sexual objects. The videos also indicate that to be attractive one would need to be light-skinned, light-eyed with long crinkly hair. Parents should pay attention to their teen's purchasing, downloading, listening and viewing patterns and help them identify music that may be destructive and have open discussions without criticizing the culture." Dr. Carter says if done, this would be helpful in the formation of a child's self-concept and identity. "For example, if a music video shows violence against women to any degree, a viewer, including young girls, could be led to believe such action is acceptable. If they are educated about the media, the premise in the video would be questioned and hopefully rejected," she said. Monday, June 22, 2009