Are music lyrics causing suicidal behavior in children?
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Are music lyrics causing suicidal behavior in children?
Music lyrics do not cause suicidal behavior in children since not all songs contradict well-being. According to Ransom (2015), some positive exemplars in the music industry are still available. For example, the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles can be a source of encouragement for children to have hope and to pursue their dreams. An example of an excerpt in the lyrics of the song which can serve as an encouragement to children is “Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live. Maybe one of these days, you can let the light in and show me how big your brave is.” This song can encourage children to have courage and perseverance when things are not going their way. Therefore, not all songs have contradicting lyrics which can lead to children’s suicidal behavior. There are songs such as “Brave” by Sara Bareilles with lyrics that can be an encouragement to the children through their lyrics.
Even though some music lyrics can lead to suicide behavior, some lyrics can help children alter negative moods. According to Write the World (2016), children are inspired by music on a daily basis since it serves as an outlet for expression, emotions, and creativity. Additionally, music can be utilized as a type of therapy since it has been established that it can release endorphins in the brain, which serve as stress relievers and happiness boosters. A study conducted by Dr. Tobias Greitemeyer from the University of Sussex showcases the positive impact of music lyrics. In the study, Michael Jackson’s song “Heal the World” was played for one group of children. When a cup of pencils was knocked over, the children who listened to the song picked up pencils that were approximately five times more than those collected by children who listened to other negative songs (Fischer & Greitemeyer, 2006). This indicates that songs with positive lyrics such as “Heal the world” may not lead to suicidal behavior but rather alter negative moods or inspire children to be better and act in a considerate and empathetic way.
Listening to music lyrics does not lead to suicide behavior but instead, contributes to the well beings of the children by offering a great way to generate conversations in a less threatening way. According to a study conducted at the University of Arizona, listening to music with children can enhance bonding with children (Blue, 2018). If the lyrics of a song spark something in the children, they are likely to speak up, and with time, they can find themselves in meaningful discussions. Song lyrics have also been applied in psychotherapy practice to help people express their feelings and to enable them to discover new insights regarding themselves. Psychologists also suggest that song lyrics may be relatable and a useful strategy for parents to establish hot topics with their children. This can be very useful for children with mental health problems since it can trigger meaningful conversations. There are some examples of songs about mental health that can help parents or guardians develop conversations with their children. One of these songs is “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes, which is a song about anxiety and it brings awareness to the issue of anxiety and depression. An example of an excerpt in the lyrics that can assist children in developing vocabulary to express their anxious feelings is “Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in,” and “I’m crawling in my skin.” Therefore, not all songs have negative and can lead to suicidal behavior (Seldman n.d). There are songs with lyrics that can help children with depression and anxiety, which are conditions associated with suicidal behavior. A song like “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes can help such children establish vocabulary to express their conditions and therefore get the necessary help.
Even though some lyrics can be troublesome in terms of encouraging behavior such as alcohol abuse, suicide as an alternative, and graphic violence, studies have shown that music can have a positive impact on children. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2017) states that sharing music between different generations in a family cannot only be a pleasurable experience, but it can also enable parents to guide their children about their choice of music. By sharing music, parents and guardians can pay close attention to the music choice and viewing patterns of their children and help them recognize music that can be destructive to them. If such music is identified, discussion without criticism can be useful to the child. The lyrics of the music listened to by the children can also be useful to the parents since they can utilize them to discuss essential topics such as suicide, violence, sex, and others. This enables the parents to be more involved and open with their children, thereby offering a safe outlet to establish discussions on issues in the daily lives of their children. Therefore, music lyrics do not cause suicidal behavior, but they can help children avoid them. Through sharing of music, parents can use the lyrics to establish significant discussions about issues such as suicide, sex, and other troublesome behavior. Besides, parents can also offer guidance when they recognize that their children are listening to destructive music.
References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2017). Listening to Music and Watching Music Videos. Aacap.org. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Influence-Of-Music-And-Music-Videos-040.aspx.
Blue, A. (2018). To Improve Relationship With Kids, Try Turning Up the Music. University of Arizona News. Retrieved from https://news.arizona.edu/story/improve-relationship-kids-try-turning-music.
Fischer, P., & Greitemeyer, T. (2006). Music and aggression: The impact of sexual-aggressive song lyrics on aggression-related thoughts, emotions, and behavior toward the same and the opposite sex. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32(9), 1165-1176.
Ransom, P. F. (2015). Message in the Music: Do Lyrics Influence Well-Being?.
Seldman, K. “Alexa, Play Shawn Mendes!” A Fresh Way To Talk to Teens About Mental Health. Your Teen Magazine. https://yourteenmag.com/health/teenager-mental-health/talking-about-mental-health.
Write the World. (2016). Do Music Lyrics Pose a Positive or Negative Effect on Children?. https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/11333/version/26847.
