Music and domestic violence
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) just released, a list of “Top 10: Songs with Unhealthy Relationship Ingredients,” as part of its teen violence prevention program. The list was compiled by members of the BPHC Start Strong Initiative, a program designed to prevent teen abuse. Start Strong members analyzed songs from Billboard’s “Hot 100″ chart (a record of the top 100 songs purchased, played on the radio, and streamed online) and scored the songs using the Sound Relationships Nutritional Label, a tool that helps evaluate how healthy – or unhealthy – songs are. Unhealthy songs contain elements of drama, possession/obsession, disrespect and manipulation in relationships. Healthy songs promote fun, support, respect, equality and trust in relationships.
Topping the list of unhealthy songs are two by Usher (“Lil Freak” and “Hot Tottie) followed by two from Rihanna (“Love the Way You Lie” with Eminem, and “Only Girl”).
The healthy song list is topped by Train’s “If It’s Love” and Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream. Perry’s song with Timbaland, “If We Ever Meet Again,” is also near the top of the healthy list. You can see the full list here
It is easy to dismiss music, and other forms of pop culture, as mere entertainment or art. But when you consider how much media we consume and you factor in other negative images, like the high incidences of sexualized teens on television, or the dearth of strong female role models in Hollywood, it is hard to dismiss the effects it can have on the children who are exposed to it. As we said last week when reporting on the portrayal of teens in Hollywood, even if you choose to turn off the television, there are so many other ways our kids are bombarded with unhealthy images – music, magazines, even toys. (Tattoo Barbie arrived in our house this Christmas. OMG.)
I am reminded of last year’s PTO-sponsored “Family Fun Night” at my son’s school. The PTO hired a DJ who played, among other poor choices, Kesha’s “Tick Tock.” And I watched, horrified, while elementary school girls danced and sang along to,
“I’m talking about everyone getting crunk, crunk
Boys tryin’ to touch my junk, junk
Gonna smack him if he gets too drunk, drunk”
and of Jamie Foxx singing rape anthem, “Blame it on the Alcohol,” at the Grammy Awards last year.
We can’t raise our kids in a bubble. But we must teach them to be savvy media consumers who understand just what is being served up to them, and how to interpret what Hollywood and marketers are dishing out.
It appears to be a culture that continually degrades women. I’m actually surprised that
Usher is part of this abuse.
Thanks “Hello Ladies” for more awareness on this issue….
Great point.
It’s true, most songs today are obnoxiously degrading. That said, these entertainers are being paid to entertain. Parents have the responsibility of helping their children disseminate fact from fiction. One of the best powers against sickening lyrics: high self-esteem.
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