You probably remember when you said something bad to one of your siblings, even though you really didn’t mean it, you’re mom would reprimand you by saying something like, “Well, you’re words mean something.”  Truth is, spoken words, or in this case – sung lyrics – do indeed mean something and both have a tremendous affect on teens today.

In a recent study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, researchers graded sexually explicit lyrics in popular songs from today’s top artists.  Then they interviewed 711 teens aged 15-16 regarding their musical tastes and sexual behavior.  Overall, 31% said they have had sexual intercourse.

Of those teens who said they rarely listen to music with sexually explicit lyrics, the rate was 20.6%.  Of teens who said they listen to these lyrics a lot, the rate was 44.6%.  That’s double the amount of sexually active teens who are jamming to raunchy lyrics on their iPods!

Yet what do we hear from these teens so often?  “I don’t listen to the music for the lyrics, I listen to it for the beat.”  It is imperative that parents, teachers, and youth leaders teach our kids that superimposed on a beat are messages and lyrics that do indeed mean something.  The more they listen to them, the more they want to be like the ones singing or rapping them.  Teens become desensitized to the debauchery and lasciviousness constantly penetrating their minds.

Next thing most parents wonder is why do so many teenagers want to look just like these groups, talk just like them, act just like them, be just like them?  It’s because what they listen to over and over again affects the way teens want to look, talk, and most importantly – ACT.

That’s why it is imperative mom and dad that you monitor what is on your teens’ iPods, that you sit down with them and read the lyrics on the CD covers, that you ask your teens why these groups sing about explicit sex so much.  Then you can direct them to make better decisions as to what they listen to while giving them what they say they want anyway – the beat!

Why do today’s music groups sing about sex so much?  Easy answer, SEX SELLS!  They know it get’s our attention, especially teenagers.  And that’s all these groups want so it will compel teens to spend $15, $16, $17 dollars or so to buy their CDs or download their songs from iTunes.  Then these groups could care less about the impact their lyrics have on the way teens think about sex or their videos have on the way teens view sex.  Many teenagers want to imitate what they hear and see, especially from their “idols.”  No wonder more teens who get a heavy dose of sexually explicit song lyrics are more prone to be sexually active.

It is vital that parents, teachers, and youth leaders get more involved with teens and what they’re listening to and watching (music videos).  Tell them you’re all going to listen to what’s on their iPods and CDs together.  If your teens are hesitant to that suggestion, then you know something is up.  Insist on doing it anyway, make it fun - then direct them.

But keep in mind, if you are going to take something away from kids, you need to replace it with something else.  Make a deal with your teens.  Tell them you’re going to the music store with them or sit down in front of the computer and listen to music together.  If it’s all about the beat, which is what teens say, then you will have no problem finding it with lyrics that are uplifting and positive.  Buy those songs for your teens.  You won’t get any argument from them for that!  And you shouldn’t get any argument from them about the songs you just bought, because it’s all about the beat….right teenager?

Until next time…

M.L. Productions, Inc.