Teens

1. 57

   Williamjordanposted 13 years ago

   With the times being as they are how do you feel about using rap to promote postive teen enviornment.Me personaly feel that it's wrong there nothing postive about today rap music and the message it sends teens. To many teens are dieing a head of time by living the message that rap promotes.

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   1. 40

      Garrett McLeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think Mainstream Rap promotes a positive teen environment at all, so I don't know how or why it woul dbe used to promote a positive teen environment.  However, if someone were to make a rap that promoted a positive teen environment, that would be a different story.  Unfortunately, teens are somewhat intelligent and will catch on fast.  Only young kids will be easily fooled by such a thing.
      
      I think a strong family household promotes a positive teen environment.

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   2. 59

      XxMrsSiscoxXposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      We are influenced by tons of music whether it be country, rock, rap, alternative, emo, or whatever. You have to understand that although Rap lyrics can sometimes describe violence in its music and hate crimes and tons of other terrible things that it isn't the only culprate. I myself prefer alternative music and rarely listen to rap or hip hop but I still want to speak up so adults can hear my cry. You all have been there too. Your morals and ideas have changed of course when you started a family and moved on from the stage we are in now. We're influenced by tons of things, TV, movies, books, music, are you going to take it all away from us just to fit the mold you have set out for society? Music helps many grow as individuals whether it be good or bad and many listen to the music they do because of their home lives, the problem doesn't lye in the music but in the household itself with these "molds" parents set for their children to fill but in the end teens just want to express themselves. When I look back I had so many opportunities to be a famous child star or even a child prodigy of some sort but I was limited. I will never be stereo typical adults like any of you, I want the word "freedom" in my household not "restricted" or "limited" even if that means having to hear "rap" music played from my teen's bedroom.

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2. 60

   smartelic14posted 13 years ago

   I completely agree with both of you.  Today's rap artists talk about anything and everything negative.  I know I'm only 20, but I'm smart enough not to let song lyrics decide what I do with my life and I hope other teens follow my example Thanks for posting this

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3. 0

   khmohsinposted 13 years ago

   teens like rap because rap music release adrenaline, makes them temporary excited and hyper. though these are for temporary but they use their esteem to enjoy different things, maybe some got wrong way or maybe some got right one.
   Well, Rap is actually not a thing which promotes teens.

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4. 0

   Lecieposted 13 years ago

   most often llcoolj has positive messages in his rap. he wants kids to stay in school. most kids look up to him because he's also been in movies. if you do a web search on him you will find what a great person he is. he puts that greatness into his rap.

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   1. 40

      Garrett McLeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      There's a lot of artists out there  like that.  Unfortunately they don't all get the recognition.  LLCoolJ isn't really heard on the radio anymore, either.  It's very unfortunate.

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5. 60

   tobey100posted 13 years ago

   Actually, Raps no different than other forms of music.  Have you listened to Country music lately?  The message in most country songs is no better than rap.  They just say it differently.  If you want your teens to get the right message, stick to instrumentals.

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6. 67

   Beth100posted 13 years ago

   Whether the form is rap, western, rock or metal, there will always be messages in the lyrics that we don't agree to for our teens.  Audio music is not the only culprit.  Every watch the music videos that are played?  Most of the time, the lyrics aren't heard but the suggestive actions of the actors/singers/group is obvious and sends the message out loud and clear.  Then, there's podcasts and YouTube and many other internet sources that also provide the wrong messages.  Bottom line -- the messages are out there.  How we use these sources and teach our children to distinguish between reality and fantasy is the important lesson because you will never keep these messages away.  Afterall, what do you do when they hang out with their friends?

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7. 78

   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   Isn't this the age-old issue of parents (the older generation) vs. the "evil" music their kids listen to? It didn't start with Elvis Presley, but from him forward parents have been objecting to the lyrics of music their kids are listening to. Which, of course, makes the kids only want to listen to it MORE.
   I cringe when I hear the messages in the rap music my son listens to. It's mysogynistic, glorifies the gangsta life and "purple" weed. I've figured out the more I object, the less I am heard.
   THere IS positive message rap out there. And anything that gets teens' attention without turning them off to the message is a good thing. Certainly reaching them through rap would be more effective than tying to reach them through other means...

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8. 61

   Nustylzeposted 13 years ago

   I hate to jump on my soap box here but I feel somebody needs to. Yes hip hop lyrics are bad as our country lyrics. Yes hip hop videos are bad but no worse then rock stars in skin tight leather half naked on stage in front of teenage girls. The problem is not nor has it ever been the music or the artist. If you give an artist, any artist a way to express their views on a subject they will. Why are we not looking at the artist managers that promote this, the radio stations that play it, the video stations that air it? What about the record labels that go out looking for these acts to sign. It really irritates me when people act as though music is whats wrong with the world, people are whats wrong with the world. Especially people who blame others for their problems. Hip Hop as with all music is for entertainment if you don't like it don't listen if you really don't like the message write your congressman. I guarantee if you congressman starts receiving 3000 letters a day of people unhappy with the state of music things will quickly change. So to close and get done from my soap box, music can be turned on or off at the push of a button. The problem is when the music stops people are still impressionable. Parents, Teachers, Friends, all leaders need to assume a more active role in making our communities better, but don't blame music, that's just sad!

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9. 83

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   rap is misunderstood for a lot of adults. there is the gangsta rap, and yeah, some of it is rough, yet some of it is just these guys telling their story, and some of it is just pure hype, like any other kind of music. it's there in every genre. who really wants to listen to pop now? it all sounds alike. 
   the rapper I do like who sends more of a positive, socially aware message is Common. I don't know if he is still as popular as he was.
   
   if it's too positive and unrealistic, kids won't listen. it's part of growing up.

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10. 83

    rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

    
    
    #1- never say never.
    
    I do agree with you that kids should be allowed to listen to their music. I have two sons and growing up, I did not restrict their music, BUT I did listen to it and read the cd liner notes and it opened up dialog between us. I talked with them, found out why they liked a certain song, not in a condescending, why do you like that song, but more, 'tell me about it, what's he saying, what's his message?'
    but my guys also had to hear my music, all kinds, and now they're both musicians and one has a freelance job scoring his first movie.

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11. 62

    Anne Pettitposted 13 years ago

    Some rap music is pretty interesting.  Writing rap is also a good way for teens to express themselves.  Not all rap is foul or disrespectful.

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