Social Critique : The First Safeguard vs. The First Amendment
- Jessica Yeh
- Jun 9, 2012
- 4 min read
Today’s culture is being based more and more on the glamorized appeal of sex, violence, drugs, and alcohol. This change has had varying results, which has raised both concern and scrutiny from many studies. Though this conflicting information has made it difficult to decide what forms of art are regulated, parents, along with the aid of today’s technology, ultimately should be the first safeguard and final supervisory body as to what their own children are being exposed to.
The problem isn’t how to censor music and television, but rather, how much parents should be working to prevent their children from being exposed to such vulgarity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' council on communications and the media “music plays an important part sending the wrong messages to youngsters about sex, drugs, alcohol and tobacco” (Writer.) In the same study, researchers in the group state that “it is essential for pediatricians and parents to take a stand regarding music lyrics.” Since the government has no power to fight the First Amendment Rights of artists and musicians in which they are entitled to “freedom of speech,” the next highest level of authority in a youth’s life, his or her parents, should be the moderator of what a child is allowed to listen to. Parents must safeguard their children from being exposed to negative messages in today’s entertainment world.
Another psychological study shows that “observational learning is ‘a major part of human learning,’ according to "Understanding Psychology" (Zabell.) Thus, if children are watching violence or female subjugation, they will believe that such actions are considered acceptable in today’s society. Contrarily, The Livestrong Foundation also says that parents have more influence over children than their televisions. Hence, it is imperative that parents keep tabs on what their children are tuning in to.
The 2st century has brought about a shift in how genres of art are classified. Nudity by artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, in portraits and paintings is considered “fine art.” In contrast, the provocative description of human anatomical parts in music is considered “vulgar and offensive.” Parents should take the time to explain the difference to their children and establish what is considered “acceptable forms of nudity and art” versus what is purely considered “provocative.”
Technology has proved to be a double-edged sword in today’s society. The increased use of computers and iTunes has made downloading music more accessible and much easier. In the past, parents could regulate what was being listened to in their household because the radio was the only form of transmitting music and it could be heard by all. But with computers and ear buds, it hard for parents to regulate what music their children are listening to because they cannot hear it, or access their iTunes accounts.
But technology can also be an aid for parents. Currently, iTunes sells censored and uncensored versions of different works and to download music from the program, users must have a credit card. Most children have no access to a credit card so their parents provide the authorization and ultimately, the approval as to what is downloaded.
Some artists with music that contains provocative language, like Cee Lo Green, who wrote “F*** You,” and P!nk, who wrote “F***in’ Perfect,” have released more family-friendly versions of their music. Cee Lo’s song has been remixed to say “Forget You” and P!nk has eliminated to vulgar term completely, releasing the song again with the title that simply is just “Perfect.” These cleaner versions of the songs are what the artists distributed to radio stations nationwide. Though music cannot be regulated, parents can still set boundaries and regulate how much of today’s vulgarity their children are exposed to. In the concluding article of Foursquare.org’s article, “How Can I Safeguard My Teen’s Music Choices?” Share Rogers states, “Boundaries and standards are critical, but without relationship they are lifeless and can bring rebellion. One of parents’ biggest misperceptions is that they can’t regulate what their kids listen to and watch. While it has become more difficult than ever before, it can—and must—be done through boundaries, communication and relationship” (Rogers.)
There has been a shift in cultural values and the subject of popular music and entertainment. What used to be a form of art and a way to express feelings of struggle, pain, heartache, or happiness, has evolved into something more vulgar, raising concern for many parents of today’s youth and teens. But parents need not be alarmed. They may not be able to control their children, or fight the First Amendment, but they can control what their teens are able to access. And with that power, there is no need to worry.
Works Cited:
Rogers, Shane. "How Can I Safeguard My Teen’s Music Choices?" The Foursquare Church: A Movement with a Message on a Mission. Foursquare Church. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.foursquare.org/news/article/how_can_i_safeguard_my_teens_music_choices>.
Writer, TODD NEALE MedPage Today Staff. "Pediatricians Fault Media Violence and Sex." ABC News. ABC News Network, 25 Oct. 2009. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/media-violence-sex-threaten-kids-pediatricians/story?id=8866443>.
Zabell, Martin. "How Do Children React to Watching Violence on TV? Read More: Http://www.livestrong.com/article/183189-how-do-children-react-to-watching-violence-on-tv/#ixzz1r6WOAWfH." Livestrong. Livestrong, 24 July 2010. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/183189-how-do-children-react-to-watching-violence-on-tv/>.
Comentarios