There is a new study out from University of Missouri according to StudyFinds.org that has found that "pop songs contain similar levels of violent lyrics as hip-hop songs."
In the study, they tracked and researched songs from 2006 to 2016 in all genres including hip hop, pop, rock, country, R&B and heavy metal music. They looked for "incidences of violence, profanity, misogyny and gender-role references."
And this is an example of what they found in pop music:
- “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem and Rihanna, which includes themes of domestic abuse and violent behavior in retaliation.
- “Wake Up Call” by Maroon 5, which describes a man shooting his girlfriend’s lover after finding them together.
They also found that country music seemed to be the genre with the least amount of violence which if you really think about it, it makes sense.
But it's also important to recognize this:
"Researchers say it’s important for parents to recognize the themes described in the music their children are listening to, and have discussions with them about racier lyrics. Because adolescents and teens often put their favorite pop stars on pedestals, parents should emphasize that children shouldn’t attempt to follow in a celebrity’s footsteps or mirror their actions."
Do you agree with their findings?