Artists like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, One Direction and Miley Cyrus all have one thing that us mortals do not: a voice. More specifically, a voice that can reach and influence young people across the entire globe. What should frighten us, however, is how strong of an influence these artists could potentially make.
If you’ve been anywhere near the Internet, television or tabloids lately, then you’ve probably heard of the Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke fiasco at the 2013 VMAs. Between Miley’s disturbing dance moves and dry humping a foam finger and Robin’s offensive and, frankly, downright nauseating song lyrics, it’s safe to say that the VMAs took an immediate step off the wrong foot.
However, I think what most of these tabloids are forgetting is that many young people watch the VMAs––very young people who look up to young artists as role models.
For children, it’s often difficult to see the line drawn between what’s considered right and wrong. Just a few weeks ago, my four-year-old brother cried, “Oh sh*t!” after dropping his food on the floor, completely oblivious that what came out of his mouth is deemed inappropriate. And where did he pick up this new slang? My guess would be from one of the older, “cooler” kids at daycare.
When asked how children are affected by the language and content used in modern pop and hip-hop music, senior writing major Angela Sughrue gave an account of her own experience.
“I remember when that ‘Promiscuous’ song [by Nelly Furtado] came out and my eight-year-old cousin started singing along to it,” Sughrue said. “It’s like these kids are being brainwashed into not even knowing what they’re saying.”
While most of our modern day pop music is often subliminally centered on partying, sex and drugs, kids are introduced to such concepts at alarmingly young ages.
“I think they’re introduced to concepts like sex and drugs a lot earlier on,” said sophomore English and writing major Nicholas Finch. “So in a strange way, it’s like their innocence is being corrupted.”
And whether it’s the mainstream music that’s constantly played on the radio or tabloids of “Disney Stars Gone Bad,” avoiding these young stars is next to impossible.
A bit of controversy has been stirred up over Taylor Swift at the VMAs. She supposedly dropped the “F-bomb” after her ex-fling Harry Styles made an appearance on stage. Should Swift have behaved in such a way on national television? Probably not. Should we crucify her for it? Absolutely not.
However, what most people find disappointing is the fact that many young girls idolize the young and talented Swift. And while she’s famous for her clean-cut songs and sweet, cookie-cutter persona, something as small as a vulgar slur can still strongly affect these young girls.
But perhaps we can’t blame these celebrities. After all, they’re only keeping with the times.
Looking back on the childhood music of our generation, it’s hard to recall any songs as vulgar as “We Can’t Stop” or the unspeakable lyrics of “Blurred Lines.” And this should really make all of us wonder whether or not children are now forced to grow up more quickly than ever.
“It introduces them to things they shouldn’t be introduced to at such a young age,” Sughrue said. And who knows? At the rate we’re headed, parents might have to start giving the “birds and the bees” talk before their kid’s first day of kindergarten.
To be fair, there are still strong, positive role models out there. While our attention is often drawn to the sex objects and emotional wrecks of Hollywood, it’s easy to overlook people like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Lawrence, Tina Fey and others like them.
While I don’t believe these dwindling child stars deserve to be chastised so brutally, I feel we should instead ask the question: “Where are their parents? Where are their positive role models?”
“It’s our party, we can do what we want,” Miley sings. And that’s perfectly okay, but perhaps there’s a way to avoid inviting our younger generation.
Jackie Braje can be reached at jacquelyn.braje@spartans.ut.edu