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Introduction 1 Autosaved
Introduction 1 Autosaved
Theme: Music
Topic: The impact of dancehall music on the behaviour of students between the ages of
a means of entertainment, for communication, or self expression, music is evident in all histories.
The way music is used can be extremely influential in an individual’s life and, as a result, the
wider society. As the dancehall genre grows in prevalence and popularity among Jamaicans,
most specifically its youth, it is important the music’s interaction with the people be studied.
Knowing how the genre affects the behaviour of our youth is beneficial to the nation. As such,
the purpose of this research is to examine the interaction between dancehall music and the
behaviour of students, in an effort to determine how negatively or positively a young person can
Though each person is responsible for their own actions, it is acknowledged that young people
are more susceptible to influence at the adolescent juncture in their development. It is common
knowledge that they act out in an unwarranted negative fashion on occasion, and some, simply
make one bad decision after the other. This problem may be attributed in part to corruptive
element within the society. These sources need to be named found and handled. However, the
most important part of this is accurately identifying the negative influences, and thus this issue of
This research will not only aid in the identification of corruptive influences among our youth, by
either ruling out dancehall music or showing it to be one, but also help create awareness among
all those involved. As the researcher, I will gain useful insight into the behavioural practices of
corruptive elements, dancehall and others, and to warn others about them, To those used in the
research, it will cause them to reflect upon their actions, behaviours, and the doctrines which
govern their life. I may cause them to rethink some life choices, about music or otherwise, so that
they may strive to make better choices. Readers of this research will be provided with a
comprehensive view on the topic of dancehall music and teenage behaviour. They will
undoubtedly become more aware of some issues among our youth, and the part they may play in
“To what extents are young people aged 14 - 19 impacted by dancehall music?”
It is to be noted that for the purpose of this research the term teenagers, youth, young people, and
adolescents will be used interchangeably to mean those persons up to the age of nineteen (19)
years.
Literature Review
Dancehall music today is seen as a part of Jamaican culture. According to Cooper, C (2013) this
is a, “...style of Jamaican popular music that had its genesis in the political disturbance of the late
1970’s and became Jamaica’s dominant music in the 1980’s and 90’s”. Since its inception, the
genre has become prevalent in Jamaican society. In the research work toward Music, Media &
Adolescent Sexuality in Jamaica, when asked to indicate which of 17 different genres they most
influence that the music has can be attributed to the fact that artists “...are seen as idols or role
models,” and “...that persons crave attention and always want to be ahead all the time, proving
their status and stamina. Ever since the 80s artist will command their fans to do dances, say crazy
phrases and act a certain way. This is all for the hype and status”.
Though acknowledged that dancehall music can have a positive effect on peoples, the general
consensus is that the music is a negative influence- “Despite the positive effects Dancehall music
might have on our young people, it has become more a pathway for moral degradation with our
young people.” (Johnson, Phia, 2012). The subject matter of the music is often negative, relating
both men and women to bare essentials: skeletal remain” (Cooper. C.J, July2000). It then follows
that if the message is negative then so is its influence. The article continued on to at one point
An article in The Gleaner, July 19, 2011, noted by Marcia Forbes in her lecture to students from
Temple University, USA, of the same year, spoke to “‘the negative nature of the music,’ created
by ‘descending lines’ which ‘implicitly underscore the message of that rhythm’ and which can
directly impact our actions.” The idea being explored here is that music in general, as something
we constantly encounter, is of such a nature, with its lulling rhythms and catchy phrases, that it
sub-consciously impacts our psyche, influencing our beliefs and behaviour. The argument is a
standard art versus reality issue, leaning to the side where it not just that art is a reflection of an
individual or their society, but that the society or an individual will mirror prevalent art forms.
According to a study done on ‘The effects of Dancehall genre on adolescent sexual and violent
behaviour in Jamaica: A public health concern’ “19% male and 13% females demonstrated
violence in schools, in their communities, and/or in their homes – 7% females and 9% males
were taken to the Principal’s office; 3% females and 5% males suspended”(A.D. Crawford,
2010). The same study notes that of the 100 respondents, 52% males and 58% females claimed
Johnson makes reference to Vybz Kartel’s song “Clarks” and the shoe brand’s significant
increase in popularity and sales as an example of how directly our youth’s actions can be
influenced by dancehall. Many beliefs that characterize Jamaica’s adolescent population today
are founded in dancehall. Majority of these philosophies, such as “Gangsta for Life” coined by
Movado, are the direct opposite of what should be propagated among our young people to
mitigate Jamaica’s problem of crime and moral degradation. Dancehall’s push for the
glorification of guns and sexual promiscuity and crudity only serve to further complicate this
However, Forbes notes in a UWI panel discussion that the effect of the genre on an individual I
dependent on a host of variables. She noted that gender is an important factors as men and
women respond to music differently, and that males experience social pressure to fit the
described criteria in the songs to feel a sense of self validation. The criterion is usually centre on
Women then, being over sexualized, may then begin to see themselves mainly as an object of
sex.
She also notes that age is a key factor, with ages 10 to 12 being most susceptible to influence.
It then stands to reason that with age, the music’s influence has less of an effect on a person’s
behaviour.
Adolescents in all the reviewed material do not outright state their views on the music itself,
however they are shown to believe it to be fun, “hype,” and are seen enjoying it and ascribing to
Secondary sources, were used first, and mainly as a form of qualitative research. One local
newspaper article, three foreign internet sources, and one thesis were used as secondary data
sources. This provided background information on the subject topic, as well as sources for
The primary data collection was conducted through the use of a questionnaire. This was used to
As the population was large a sample group of 20 (twenty) persons was selected. These
individuals were chosen based on age, so as to ensure the representation of all age groups being
The questionnaire consisted of eight close ended questions and seven open questions. It was
administered over the course of a week. The selected persons were given the question, after
consenting to participate, and were then required to answer the questions on the spot.
Presentation of Data
The following is representative of the data collected as feedback from the administered research
The preceding bar graph shows how persons responded when asked if the listen to/ enjoy
When asked if this message was positive, three persons said “Yes,” two said “Sometimes,” and
Sixty percent of persons answered in the affirmative, when asked if they regularly went out, to
parties/clubs. In this figure all the age groupings are represented as at least one person from each
said yes.
When asked to describe a teenagers reaction to dancehall music at the venue, those who replied
with a yes to having gone there, all gave responses that are embodied in the following images.
This accounts for the vulgar or sexual dancing that was described. The following image depicts the
The following pie chart shows the major categories which respondents used to gauge ‘right’ from
‘wrong’.
When asked if dancehall music (generally) promotes the wrong thing among teenagers, all respondents
answered yes. The most popular prevention method was then encouraging artistes to have better, more
music. This supports that the genre is well established and popular among the target aged youths.
This would mean that, to answer the first research question, a majority of teenagers are exposed
The first Pie chart is showing that the genre itself promotes some negative/ corruptive ideals. A
whopping 40% of songs were perceived to be about sex. Though there is nothing inherently
wrong with sex, a preoccupation with the lewd discussion of the topic can seem to demoralize
our youths. Other popular topics such as violence and sexism are also a negative influence. Even
the simple message of having fun can be dangerous if it encourages un-wise and uncontrollably
wild behaviour. A large amount of persons (fifteen out of twenty) also followed up on that
question replying ‘no’ when asked if the message offered was a positive one. This is evidence
that in general, most adolescents view the music as anything but positive.
However, it remains a part of their lives, the 60% of the sample who are partygoers, described
the behaviour of teen at party-like venues to be openly sexually vulgar or ‘excited’ as was
depicted by the proposed images. The first image shows a young male and female in a suggestive
position- the method of dance to the dancehall music. The second shows a host of scarcely clad
young people- mostly women smiling and dancing in a rather raucous fashion. All of the
previously described behavioural characteristics are less than desirable in public’s eye.
The third graph, a horizontal bar, graph failed to show a direct correlation between, those who
listened to dancehall music, and those who had problems with authority. Only two persons who
listened to dancehall music had the ascribed problems while the majority (fourteen persons)
listened to the music, yet reported no problems with authority. Still, one person reported not
listening to dancehall and having no frequent issues with authority, while another reported not
Respondents were then asked to describe what they use to discern what is ‘right’ from what is
‘wrong’. The two most popular means by which persons defined right and wrong were through
the use of the Bible, and the use of an individual’s conscience. All respondents affirmed that in
Lastly respondents were required to answer the question of whether or not dancehall music
promotes the wrong thing among teenagers. As they were asked to define wrong and the
individual’s perceived idea of the general message of the genre, it is understood that their answer
to this last question would lie on their aforementioned premise and be that person’s opinion. In
light of this all persons responded to say ‘yes: dancehall music does promote the wrong thing
among teenagers’.
Discussion of Findings
This conducted study found that like the research work toward Music, Media & Adolescent
Sexuality in Jamaica, dancehall music is popular among youths. Exposure to and indulgence in
the musical genre was found to be widespread among the selected age grouping.
The lyrical content as reported by respondents reflected the previously documented accounts of
the music being sexually explicit, degrading to women, and violent. Respondents also affirmed
that this message was not positive. Interestingly in this study there was nothing to suggest that
the genre in question had any positive effects/ implications. Persons either described it as
negative or as inconsequential.
The vulgar, sexually explicit dancing involved in dancehall, depicted by Johnson, was also
consistent with the findings of this research. Majority of respondents reported that adolescents
In contrast with the statistical findings in the literature review, this study did not quantifiably
support a direct correlation between dancehall music and behavioural discrepancies, other than
the afore-mentioned dance practices. This can possibly be explained by Forbes where she
described the factors that influence how susceptible an individual is to letting dancehall impact
their behaviour, and thus be attributed the age of the respondent being aged 14-19.
Among the responses to what young persons allowed to govern their actions did not include
dancehall. But, as many relied upon their personal determination of right and wrong, it is
possible that if their conscience was corrupted, then so would the decisions they made using this
moral compass.
The perception of the individuals involved in the study however, did support the second hand
findings of dancehall music being a negative influence among youths. When asked the all
reported they believed dancehall promoted the wrong thing among teenagers.
Conclusion
This study found the influence of dancehall music on persons ages 14-19 to be far reaching.
After corroboration with second hand sources, this research found that this influence was largely
negative, promoting sexual explicitness, violence, and the degradation of women. However, due
to factors such as age, quantifiable support to show that the music negatively impacted the
behaviour of youths was not found in the conducted study but was evidenced in second hand
research materials.
Limitations
One limitation faced in conducting this study was that people were reluctant to participate in the
survey, thus limiting the availability and ease of acquiring responses. Another is that respondents
Recommendations
From the findings it is evident that dancehall music poses a threat to Jamaica’s youth. This threat
is subtle yet very real, as it intends to demoralize our youth and propagate a culture of crime,
dancehall artists be encouraged to provide more wholesome, conscious lyrics that will engender
positive nation building qualities. Songs that work against this goal should also be banned from
14 – 15
16 – 17
18 – 19
2) Do you enjoy/listen to dancehall music?
Yes
No
3) Name one popular dancehall artiste that you know.
___________________________________________
________________________________________
Yes
No
Sometimes
6) Do you often go to parties or clubs?
Yes
No
7) If yes how do teenagers react to the dancehall music played?
________________________________________
8) Do you have good relationships with your family/peers?
Yes
No
Mostly
Sometimes
9) Do you get into many serious arguments with your family/peers?
Yes
No
10) Do you often get into disagreements with authority figures?
Yes
No
11) Give reasons for your answers in (9) and (10).
___________________________________
___________________________________
Yes
No
14) Give reason for your answer in part (13)
____________________________________
15) Does dancehall music promote the ascribed ‘wrong’ thin among teenager? If yes, what
________________________________________