Rock n Roll's influence on Sexual Attitudes

Rock n Roll's influence on Sexual Attitudes

Think you aren't influenced by music? Think again. A researched article on the proof that you are unaware of musical forces persuading you to think and act certain ways!

Rock n’ Roll’s Influence on the Youth of Today’s Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors
By Susan Morgan

Introduction
When I was younger I would have denied any evidence that music has an affect on the person you are becoming. Like most teens, I would argue that music is just fun and any one who takes it seriously is ridiculous. Now that I am older I am realizing that music is a part of our environment that influences and shapes that we are. But how much does it influence one’s behavioral attitudes towards sex? To answer this, one must analyze rock’s connection with sex, the affect of music video imagery, the affects of the lyrics, and the rock show to determine to what extent the music really has on the impressionable youth of today. The combination of pulsating rock music, video imagery, and the stimulation of the rock show is a great influence on ones sexuality as well as a liberating experience that is the trademark of everything rock n’ roll stands for.

Rock n’ Roll is synonymous with sexuality. When referring to sexuality, the term is best defined by Mimi Schippers(2000) in her article “The Social Organization of Sexuality and Gender in Alternative Hard Rock: An analysis of Intersectionality”. The term is not limited to one meaning, but…”sexualities in terms of stable homosexual and heterosexual identities,” as well as,” how one enacts sexual desire. (749)” So not only does sexuality mean one’s sexual preference, but the way they act out their sexual desires. This type of sexual exploration and identity finding is common place amongst youth from adolescence to young adult hood.

Since the moment Elvis Presley shook his hips on the Ed Sullivan Show, rock music has had a firm sexual presence and a large affect on its youthful audience. So how much of the definition of rock n’ roll is sex? And what exactly is this form of music? The Holt Intermediate Dictionary of American English (1979) states that it “is a form of popular music derived from blues and folk music, marked by much repetition of simple melody and strong, persistent beat and often performed with exaggerated manner-isms.(693)” In even the most complex rock song, this definition remains true. It is the spinal chord of the music style and separates it from other forms of popular music. In this study the different types of rock music are unimportant for I am discussing the music style’s affect as a whole on one’s sexuality and not the different levels, heaviness or time periods of rock music. It is understandable that rock music has had more powerful influences on sexual liberation at certain time periods. I am discussing present day affects through social norms of rock music that have been present since its birth, but are having a certain affect on this generation’s youth.

Today rock n’ roll stands for far more than just music. It has become synonymous with sex and drugs as well. In Glen Head’s (2000) article entitled “Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll Revisited” he mentions very little about music, but speaks mostly about sex and drugs influence on today’s youth. He refers to himself as part of the original “Rock n’ Roll Generation” and one of the first “quintessential teenagers”(657). Rock n’ roll clearly has a much looser definition; one that is not musically based. It is also a life style which he gives examples of. He mentions “questioning authority”, first to “Tune in, turn on, and drop out”, and “first to go on the pill” referring to birth control. So one can conclude that rock n’ roll is not only a musical influence, but a life influencing experience. The term is broader now with an open ended ness that can reach farther and affect more people in more ways.

What is being said in Lyrics, Music Videos, and Concerts
As most teens do, I relate every song I hear to my life and usually disregard the songwriter’s intentions. The American Academy of Pediatrics(2001) found in their study entitled “Impact of Music Lyrics and Music Videos on Children and Youth”, that “30% of teenagers knew the lyrics to their favorite songs, and their comprehension varied greatly.(1219)” They agreed that it was because of a lack of open minded ness stating “Most teenagers tend to interpret their favorite songs as being about love, friendship, growing up, life’s struggles, having fun, cars, religion, and other topics that relate to teen life.” The Academy adds “During the past four decades, rock music lyrics have become increasingly explicit-particularly with reference to sex, drugs, and violence.(1219)” Teens today are listening to these songs and accepting them as “okay”. The Academy believes that “Music is important to teenagers’ identity and helps them define important social and sub cultural boundaries.” This is due to the impact music has on the environment that helps teens develop their self worth.

So if lyrics have a lasting impact then what affect does its visual interpretation have? The Academy of Pediatrics(2000) found that
When music lyrics are illustrated in music videos, their potential impact is magnified… teens who may not “hear” or understand rock lyrics cannot avoid the often disturbing images that characterize a growing number of videos… music videos are reinforcing: if viewers hear a song after having seen the video version, they immediately “flash back” to the visual imagery in the video.(1220)
In short, even hearing a song on the radio will bring back the pictures of sexuality and behavior. When MTV was born in 1981 rock embraced the new art as a way to express their lyrics through visuals, but today the art form is just another marketing tool. Videos have become a way to exploit sex and to show off the rock star lifestyle.

The oldest and best way for rock n’ roll to reach its audience is the Rock Show. It can be an experience of a life time and holds a huge affect on its audience and their sexual behavior. The crowd may experience a variation of a condition called synesthesia. Siri Carpenter(2001) wrote an article explaining this condition called “Everyday Fantasia: The World of Synesthesia”. It is an extraordinary sensory condition in which one’s perception is altered and senses bleed into other senses. As it is described in the article “Guitar music doesn’t just tickle Carol Cranes fancy-it also brushes softly against her ankles…when she hears violins, she also feels them on her face… Trumpets make themselves known on the back of her neck.(26)” Sound a bit odd? Not if you were in the context of a concert.
As Mimi Schippers(2000) helps explain in her article about her 2 ½ year study of the Chicago Alternative Rock scene ,”The music is not only heard, but felt in the body. The rhythm and syncopation between the bass, drums, and guitars give the bodily experience a sexual valence.(756)” The rock show contains many valences that allow free expression of sexuality. As she notes ,”The social control over men’s sexual desire is significant because this is a highly sexualized, public setting where women are overtly expressing and acting on their own desires.(755)” Although men must show some level of self control it only sets the foundation for the women at the show to explore their sexuality in the open.

Conclusion
There is no denying that rock has a strong influence on ones sexuality, regardless of the listener. What some fail to understand is just how influential teens are and how vulnerable they are to new ideas of sex and life. Whether it’s the lyrics, videos or concerts, some teens understand what the artists are saying as being complete truth. By this I mean that the filth in today’s music creates a false sense that this is what life is really all about. It’s not just limited to music itself as Mimi Schippers(2000) found out “Sexual desire is not limited to men and women but is extended to the sound of singers’ voices, the sound of guitars, the syncopation of instruments, and other tonal or musical experiences.(756)” The music intensifies ones emotions.

Rock n’ roll is anti-establishment as in “The Rock n’ Roll Generation” and an experience that allows us to free our inhibitions like the rock show. Lyrics will continue to change and become more liberated and there appears to be no end to the showing of music videos. With this information we need to accept the truth and understand that our young people are being exposed to all sorts of sexual ideas and identities. Rock n’ roll was created to liberate and stimulate our sexuality as well as our minds. We need to be wise and inform ourselves of the truth behind today’s sexual myths and listen to music with a higher level of maturity.