Caribbean Studies I.A.

Theme: Music

Topic: The impact of dancehall music on the behaviour of students between the ages of

14-19 years in Kingston

 Introduction
Music is an inherent part of human culture, and is thus dominant within society. Whether it is as

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

be impacted by this particular Jamaican music genre.

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

identification is the major focus of this research.

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

my peers as it correlates with dancehall music. It will help me to be cautious of possible

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

preventing youth corruption.

Research questions to guide this research include:

“How much are youths exposed to dancehall music?”

“To what extents are young people aged 14 - 19 impacted by dancehall music?”

“What perceptions do young people have of 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

enjoyed watching, 28.2% of respondents listed Dancehall.

In an article entitled “Dancehall Impact on Society” by DRW on dancehallreggaeworld.com, the

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

to violence or sexual explicitness. Corroborating this idea is Cooper, ““Jamaican dancehall

culture is commonly disparaged as a homophobic, homicidal, misogynist discourse that reduces

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

describe the highly sexualized manner of dancing that is promoted by dancehall.

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

to be sexually active'(A.D. Crawford, 2010).

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

growing issue in our nation.

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

the male’s ability to perform sexually and financially.

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

its proposed ideals.

 Data Collection Sources
The chosen study area was Kingston, though majority of respondents attended St. Andrew High

School for Girls.

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

comparison, with the primary data collection method.

The primary data collection was conducted through the use of a questionnaire. This was used to

as a means of both quantitative and qualitative research.

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

studied. No other bias or predetermined characteristic influenced the selection process.

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

tool- the questionnaire (see appendix).

The preceding bar graph shows how persons responded when asked if the listen to/ enjoy

dancehall music, and their corresponding age grouping.

The pie chart before shows the broad subject areas given as a response to the question, “What do

you think is the message of MOST dancehall songs?”

When asked if this message was positive, three persons said “Yes,” two said “Sometimes,” and

the other fifteen said “No”.

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

“excited” dancing of the youths.

The graph above the number of persons who do or do not have frequent diagreements with authority

and whether or not they listen to dancehall artists.

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

positive or censored lyrics.

 Analysis of Data
As shown in the first graph, almost all of the persons in each age group listen to/ enjoy dancehall

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

to dancehall music, and thus it has a far reaching influence.

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

listening to the music and having problems with authority.

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

most cases they aspired to do what they believed as ‘right’.

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

often responded to them music with this kind of behaviour.

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

reported some issues with interpreting the questions posed.

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,

over sexualisation, objectification and violence. As a mitigation strategy it is suggested that

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

the airways to minimize exposure.

 Questionnaire
This research is being conducted out of curiosity on the subject of dancehall music and
behaviour, and is solely for the purpose of the Caribbean Studies Internal Assessment. The
information given is confidential and all questioned will remain anonymous.

1) How old are you?

 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.

___________________________________________

4) What do you think is the message of most dancehall songs?

________________________________________

5) Do you think this message is positive?

 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).

___________________________________

12) In your estimation what constitutes right and wrong?

___________________________________

13) Do you usually try to do the ascribed ‘right’ thing?

 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

strategies can be put in place to prevent this?

________________________________________