But I Don't Listen To The Words

A new study suggests a correlation between raunchy music and teen sex. No surprises there. Nor is the response from The Industry:

The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the U.S. recording industry, declined to comment on the findings.

Benjamin Chavis, chief executive officer of the Hip-Hip Summit Action Network, a coalition of hip-hop musicians and recording industry executives, said explicit music lyrics are a cultural expression that reflect “social and economic realities.”

“We caution rushing to judgment that music more than any other factor is a causative factor” for teens initiating sex, Chavis said.

The researchers disagree.

Martino said the researchers tried to account for other factors that could affect teens’ sexual behavior, including parental permissiveness, and still found explicit lyrics had a strong influence.

So what is the solution? Not to regulate the industry. Of course not.

Martino said parents, educators and teens themselves need to think more critically about messages in music lyrics.

Fulbright agreed.

“A healthy home atmosphere is one that allows a child to investigate what pop culture has to offer and at the same time say ‘I know this is a fun song but you know that it’s not right to treat women this way or this isn’t a good person to have as a role model,”’ she said.

Shovel one more thing on the plates of parents and teachers. Not that it shouldn't have already been there. But notice they don't advocate not listening to the crap. Oh no! We just need to think critically about it.

I wonder what these people would say if someone came into their house and defecated in the middle of the living room every day. "This person seems to be having fun, but so long as he knows that this is smelly and causing stains to the rug, I suppose it's okay to let him continue investigating what barbaric behavior has to offer."