| Rap music has had many different effects on | | | | will find that they are relating with one particular |
| teenagers since its inception in the late 1970's. When | | | | emotion that is expressed in the music. The number |
| most people think of rap music today, they | | | | one complaint that I have heard from teenagers is |
| immediately think of the gangster or thug mentality | | | | that their parents don't listen to them. They feel that |
| that has infested suburban teens with an attitude | | | | their parents talk at them but not to them. This is |
| that reflects the heart of the ghetto. This may | | | | why it is so easy for them to relate to a genre of |
| normally be revealed through a change in language or | | | | music which has been dictated by individuals who |
| slang, as well as a change in appearance or dress. As | | | | were raised by only one parent. When parents |
| a youth motivator, many suburban parents have | | | | connect with their teen, it makes them feel complete |
| asked me to help them reclaim their child from this | | | | and they will normally begin to open up more to their |
| behavior. I try to get them to focus on the reason | | | | parents. |
| that their children act the way they do. | | | | Don't get me wrong, the effects of rap on teens |
| Rap merely paints a picture to a child of what is | | | | does not have to be a negative. I have personally |
| going on in the streets. It has a much bigger influence | | | | been writing positive lyrics in rap for years and have |
| on suburban teens because children who live in | | | | seen many positive results from youth listening to it. |
| poverty strictened areas already have an idea of | | | | There are many other rappers who also feed young |
| what that life is really like. Lots of times it comes | | | | people the type of lyrics that can influence positive |
| down to children wanting to be considered "cool". If | | | | thinking. These artists are usually not in the |
| you recall being a teenager, being cool was probably | | | | mainstream but you can find their music online. |
| a top priority to you. If you want to reverse the | | | | Your job as a parent is always going to be to love |
| negative effects on your teen you can try to get on | | | | your teenager regardless of their taste in music, but |
| their level. | | | | the more you connect into their world you will find a |
| Listen to their music with them. Don't judge, be | | | | serious connection that will balance any negative |
| open-minded and ask them exactly what they like | | | | effects of music and give you all common ground to |
| about the music. | | | | love and respect one another. I would also add that |
| Of, course if the music is completely vulgar and the | | | | if you know your child likes rap, try to find positive |
| teen finds themselves embarrassed to play it in their | | | | raps that you may like and ask if they like it as well. |
| parents presence then that can also be a good thing | | | | You may just find another level of connection with |
| as they are expressing their knowledge of good | | | | you teen. |
| from bad and right from wrong. Lots of times you | | | | |