Essays

Slackness and more slackness published: Sunday | April 6, 2008

Bob Marley 's One Love is heralded as the song of the 20th century. Jamaicans are jubilant about this. We boast of the impact of such songs as Redemption Song in encouraging the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Millions across the world identify with the message in Bob Marley 's songs. We agree that music has tremendous power and effect. Isn 't this evident in how Jamaica has become known worldwide because of Bob Marley 's music?
How is it then that the same voices that acknowledge the powerful effect of Marley 's music now seek to deny the effect of dancehall artistes such as Vybz Kartel 's lyrics on the minds and subsequent behaviour of those who listen to them?
Dancehall has moved from the space that reggae occupies, in its promotion of social and political consciousness, to the elevation and advancement of slackness. This affects our youth in a negative fashion. Dancehall is not just the music, but it is a culture which impacts dress, fashion and body language; it influences attitude. Dancehall dress leaves little of the women 's bodies to the imagination. It is this mindset that is now affecting so many of our young people in school. They are following the dancehall culture of 'badmanism ', 'hottie girls ', 'nuff girls ', 'nuff skin ' and body parts exposed, 'nuff slackness ', public wining and grinding, 'bling and more bling ', and every thing else that the culture promotes.
PARENTS ALSO MORE DULGING
There are parents who are indulging in this dancehall lifestyle and who, therefore, cannot guide their children to lead moral, self-disciplined lives. The children and the parents are now both indulging in the dancehall slackness. We see the effect of this in our schools. We see it when little children are taken to Passa Passa and adults delight in watching them wining and grinding their undeveloped hips in imitation of their slackness. Before these children can begin to know what innocence is, they have lost it. Their innocence has been aborted. This exposure to unbridled slackness from an early age has ensured that we produce a generation whose morality has been warped from the beginning. They will now believe that this slack and loose behaviour is the norm.
WOMEN AS SEX OBJECTS
We add slackness to slackness when the songs played on the sound systems and the images portrayed in the music videos all promote women as sex machines. These women represent themselves merely as objects of sex as is made clear by how they dress and by the sex-simulating gyrations they indulge in, which are termed 'dancing ', with bottoms bouncing and going round like gigs and pelvic thrusts emphasising their genital areas. With such a constant diet being fed to the senses of the young, how can their consciousness develop in an innocent, childlike way?
Add to these stimuli, the images of 'upstanding ' Jamaicans wining and grinding on the roads during carnival; women sandwiched by men from behind and before; women and men of all shapes and sizes, some totally unknown to each other, wearing the barest of coverings, indulging in unrestrained sexual conduct on the streets with the media promoting and covering it, with hordes of police (including high-ranking police officers) guiding the train. What are we saying to our young? We are saying that slackness is acceptable, that sexual behaviour is not a private matter; that sex can be practised publicly with society 's approval.
Why, then, are we shocked when our schoolchildren display this same type of behaviour on the streets, at the transportation hubs, on the buses, on the school grounds? Why are we shocked when they want their sex acts to be video-taped and published? "Children live what they learn." They have simply taken a step further what they have been taught by the 'big people ', the adults, around them. We are simply reaping what we have sown.
This is what some young teenagers say about the impact of dancehall on their behaviour:
"It makes me break out of my little shell. I am an innocent girl and dancehall music breaks that barrier."
"It makes you feel all gangsterish and cool. And the music teaches you how to dress."
"The lyrics are influential. They tell you to walk roun ', smoke weed and buss gun. Many people, children in particular, look up to some of the artistes who feature these lyrics in their songs and they actually do some of these things because they feel that if their favourite artiste is doing it and they are 'hip ' and admired, then why not do it too. Hence, dancehall music is influential, not only to me, but to the wider society."
"I have stopped listening to dancehall music now and that 's good because it had such a negative influence on me. At one point, I found myself acting in the way that the songs portray a 'hot girl ' should be."
ERODING SOCIETY 'S MORAL FIBRE
It doesn 't matter that the academicians say that dancehall is simply reflecting what is happening in the society - Jamaicans know and teachers can testify to the fact that this culture is helping to erode the moral fibre of this society. If we do not begin to accept that this is happening and do something to halt it, we are going to be seeing more of the slackness, badmanism, disrespect, lack of self-control and general lawlessness being played out in our schools. We are teaching our young the wrong things and, therefore, they are displaying the wrong, 'anti-social ' conduct which they have learnt from society.
What hypocrites we have become! We need to begin to send clear signals to our young people about what is right and what is wrong. Our media, our music, our theatre, our government, our private sector, our churches, our schools, must decide what type of Jamaica our society wants to produce and if what dancehall promotes is it, then let dancehall reign!
"Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people," says the Bible.
Esther Tyson is principal of Ardenne High School, St Andrew. www.najms.org North American Journal of Medical Sciences 2010 March, Volume 2. No. 3.
143
Original Article OPEN ACCESS
The effects of dancehall genre on adolescent sexual and violent behavior in Jamaica: A public health concern
Alexay D. Crawford
Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, 1 Arthur Wint Drive, Kingston 5, Jamaica.
Citation: Crawford AD. The effects of dancehall genre on adolescent sexual and violent behavior in Jamaica: A public health concern. North Am J Med Sci 2010; 2: 143-145.
Doi: 10.4297/najms.2010.3143
Availability: www.najms.org
ISSN: 1947 – 2714
Abstract
Background: Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between the loud ‘hard-core’ music played on public transportation and the proliferation of sexual activities on these said transportations. Aim: To determine the extent to which dancehall music/genre impacts adolescent behavior. Materials and Method: The study is informed by quantitative and qualitative data, which were collected during the period February–May 2008. Convenience and judgmental sampling were used to target 100 subjects. Results: Of the 100 adolescent cases (50 male, 50 female), females (40%) were more likely to gravitate to sexually explicit lyrical content than their male counterparts (26%). Females (74%) were also more likely to act upon lyrical contents than males (46%). There was no significant difference where males (100%) and females (98%) subconsciously sings the dancehall lyrics even without hearing it; as well as inspire their dreams 64% and 62% respectively.
However, more females (74%) than males (46%) acted on lyrical contents of the dancehall genre. Conclusion: There is a correlation between hard-core dancehall genre and the sexual and violent behavior of adolescents.
Keywords: dancehall genre, lyrics, adolescent, behavior, sexual, violent.
Correspondence to: Alexay D. Crawford, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, 1 Arthur Wint Drive,
Kingston 5, Jamaica. Tel: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
Introduction
Adolescents’ psycho-social response to dancehall genre has become a national and public health concern, and has raised policy debate in terms of adolescent’s sexual and violent behavior (with respect to pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV))
Issues relating to sex and violence among adolescents have, in recent times, raised much public health and policy concerns, especially in an era where first sexual debut is at the mean age of 11.4 years for boys and 12.8 years for girls in Jamaica [1].
Studies have shown that graphical lyrical contents in some music can impact adolescent sexual and violent behavior.
This research has explored the literature and noted that there is a correlation between dancehall genre and adolescent sexual and violent behavior. Unlike the literature which shows that such genre is likely to impact the behavior of male than female (because of its delivery from a masculine perspective), the findings of this research show that females are more likely to be impacted psycho-socially, hence would act upon the lyrical contents that they hear.
This research has posited the various policy and health implications governing adolescent behavior and the playing of dancehall music on public buses and taxis.
Recommendations are also made regarding policy and legislative directions that may be taken by the health sector of Jamaica.
Materials and Methods
This study is informed by quantitative and qualitative data.
The former was captured through field research, which was collected in Jamaica, during the period February-May,
2008. The subjects were 100 adolescents (50 males and 50 www.najms.org North American Journal of Medical Sciences 2010 March, Volume 2. No. 3.
144
females).
Information was obtained using both convenience and purposive sampling methods. The instrument used in the collection of data was a 20-item close-ended questionnaire.
The respondents were instructed to opt-out, should they become uncomfortable with any aspect of the questionnaire. They were also informed that the process of questionnaire administration was of high confidentiality.
Qualitative information was obtained via secondary research. The analysis of the data was done via Microsoft
Excel.
Results
The findings reveal (Table 1) that unlike females (40%) who gravitated to sexually explicit lyrical content than their male counterpart (26%), males were more inclined to lyrical contents that were conscious (34%) and violent
(20%) rather than their female counterpart (24% and 16% respectively). Both males (20%) and females (20%) responded similarly to lyrical content of expletive language. Table 1 Adolescent’s response to dancehall genre
M (n = 50) F (n = 50)
Lyrical Contents N % N %
Sexually explicit 13 26 20 40
Violently explicit 10 20 8 16
Expletive language 10 20 10 20
Conscious lyrics 17 34 12 24
Total 50 100 50 100
N: number, M: male, F: female
From a psychological perspective, Table 2 shows that there is no significant difference between the respondents who claimed that dancehall genre inspired their dreams
(males 64%, females 62%). To be more specific, these respondents postulated that they dream of the sexual and violent graphics of the genre and that this resulted in waking up with an orgasm and/or a feeling of rage or fright. Males (62%) were, however, less likely to be emotionally stimulated by the dancehall genre than their female counterpart (82%). Males were also less likely to act on lyrical content (46%) or feel controlled by the lyrics
(42%) than the females (74% and 64% respectively). More males (54%) than females (26%) claimed that the dancehall lyrics did not influence them. During the questionnaire administration, there were respondents who claimed that the graphical overture of sex and violence in the dancehall music, helped to stimulate and empower them to behave according to the impression conveyed, whether or not they had prior exposure to sex and/or violence. Of the 100 respondents, 52% males and 58% females claimed to be sexually active, while 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; and 5% females and 8% male were warned by police (without arrest); 3% male and 6% female contracted STI (including HIV).
There was no significant difference between those who would sing the lyrics of the dancehall genre without hearing it (100% male, 98% female). However, 30% male and 58% female said that they sometimes heard the music in their heads while focusing on other things.
Table 2 Psychological impact
M(N=50) F (N=50)
Psychological Response N % N %
Hear lyrics in one’s head sometimes 15 30 29 58
Feel lyrics in one’s emotions 31 62 41 82
Sing lyrics without hearing it 50 100 49 98
Lyrics inspire dreams 32 64 31 62
Act on lyrical content 23 46 37 74
Feel controlled by lyrics 21 42 32 64
Lyrics is not influential 27 54 13 26
N: number, M: male, F: female.
Discussion
In support of the findings of this study, the literature reveals that music (especially in the dancehall genre) has influence on adolescent sexual behavior. In a 2007 study in Jamaica (Table 3), out of 238 cases of 9-17 year olds,
10.1% male and 3.4% female were sexually influenced by dancehall genre. 42% respondents (18.5% male, 23.5% female) contracted STIs/HIV [2]. Unlike the findings of this study, males were more likely influenced (than their female counterpart) by dancehall genre [2].
Table 3 Influences of sexual activities [2]
Male
(N = 50)
Female
Influential Factors (N = 50)
N % N %
Peer pressure 46 38.7 46 38.7
Everyone is doing it 24 20.2 19 16.0
Inability to communicate sexual feelings to parents
13 10.9 14 11.8
Money 8 6.7 12 10.1
Music (dancehall genre) 12 10.1 4 3.4
Cellular phone 5 4.0 9 7.6
Environment 7 5.9 4 3.4
Don’t know/uncertain 4 3.4 7 5.9
Others 0 0.0 4 3.4
N: number.
The literature also shows that music is highly influential and can create negative impact on youths, who imitate these negative acts [3]. Music also plays an important role in the development of youths [3].
Schubert contends that music tend to evoke intense pleasure [4]; while McFarlane holds the view that a link does exist between exposure to sexual content via the media and the sexual behavior of our children [5].
Unlike the findings of this study, the literature also points out that males were more likely to be impacted by the sexual messages from the dancehall genre, because such message is usually delivered from a masculine perspective
[6]. www.najms.org North American Journal of Medical Sciences 2010 March, Volume 2. No. 3.
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One author noted that the lyrical contents of dancehall genre have the potential to impact the brain, and affect emotional behavior in humans, especially for the young people [6]. This is probably because there is a direct correlation between the playing of “hard-core” music on public transportation and the proliferation of sexual display on these said transportations [6].
In a 2009 Jamaican study, school children were more drawn to heavily-tint public buses with ‘lewd’ dancehall music. This study explains that female students would often sit in the laps of the male students and engage in sexual activities while gyrating their bodies to the sound of the music. This kind of behavior is usually facilitated by both the bus driver and conductor [7]. The said study further pointed out that such kind of sexual behavior, demonstrated by adolescents, was also prevalently practiced in taxis. The gyration of the body brings to mind one’s scholar’s perspective that owing to the rhythmic pattern, timbre and amplitudes of the music, in general, this can affect emotional behavior [6].
It is noted that the lyrical contents in the majority of the dancehall genre are messages which relate to male-female sexual relationships, and are not messages of respect, care, consideration and values. In these musicals, the artistes sing about what men should do and how they should treat women (in a derogatory manner) [8].
One deejay artist charged that parents become more responsible and censor what their children see or hear [8].
As a result, it is encouraged that “effective controls over crime in Jamaica need to start with the music industries, the artistes and the music lyrics which explicitly describe and depict murder so callously to a level where it is difficult to fathom. Dancehall music with these violent lyrics helps to build the thought process of our youths” [9].
The encouragement of sexual activities of minors by bus and taxi operators (adults) is a breach of (1) Article 34 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the child
(1989), which addresses sexual exploitation, abuse, unlawful sexual activity/practices, pornographic performance or materials [10]; and (2) the Child Care and
Protection Act, which refers to exposing the child to moral danger [11].
In addition, such practice suggests conflict with the
Jamaican Government’s efforts (under its National
Development 2030 Plan) to achieve (i) “a healthy and stable population” [12]; (ii) a society which is “safe, cohesive and just” [12]; (iii) the goal of being able to
“combat HIV/AIDS” [12].
It is therefore recommend that the state should make it a responsibility to educate public bus and taxi operators on the psycho-social, legal and health implications (abuse, pregnancy, STI/HIV) of playing loud inappropriate music while transporting passengers. At the same time it is imperative that there be political support for this cause.
Policies should be enforced (if already implemented) regarding the matter of public bus and taxi operators facilitating sexual activities by adolescents while on their public transportations. Sanction should be applied where there is breach of such policy.
Close attention should be paid to the legislation (Child
Care and Protection Act, 2004), which protects the interest and rights of the child.
Loud and inappropriate music on public buses and taxis should be forbidden (especially while located in public domain) whether or not such transportations contain passengers. Conclusion
There is a correlation between ‘hard-core’ dancehall genre and the sexual and violent behavior of adolescents.
Based on the responses obtained from the respondents, the findings reveal that females more than males are more likely to respond psychologically to the lyrical contents of dancehall genre.
References
1. Hope Enterprise Limited and Rural Family Support
Organization. Resiliency Research Report.
Washington DC: The Academy for Educational
Development in partnership with the Manoff Group;
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2. Crawford TV, McGrowder DA, Crawford A. Access to contraception by minors in Jamaica: A public health concern. North Am J Med Sci 2009; 1:250.
3. Example Essays. The negative impact of music on youths. Ohio: Example Essays; 2009. (Accessed
December 17, 2009, at http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/9036.html 4. Schubert E. The influence of emotion, locus of emotion and familiarity and preference in music. Psy
Music, 2007; 35(3): 499-515.
5. McFarlane P. Kartel’s response not convincing.
Jamaica: National Secondary School Council; 2008.
6. Manning G. Music triggers early sexual activity – study. Kingston: The Gleaner; March 2, 2008:A6.
7. Hussey-Whyte D. Bus Porn: Lewd music, behavior on buses carrying schoollers. Kingston: Jamaica
Observer; October 25, 2009.
8. Lalah R, Grindley L. Dancehall putting youth ‘Pon di edge’. Kingston: The Gleaner; June 2, 2008.
9. Southe S. Degenerate impact of dancehall music.
Kinston: Jamaica Prime Time; April 26, 2008.
10. United Nations Children’s Fund. United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). A
World Fit for Children. New York: United Nations
Children’s Fund; 2008.
11. Jamaica Laws. The Child Care and Protection Act,
2004. Kinston: Jamaica Printing Services; 2004.
12. Planning institute of Jamaica. Vision 2030 Jamaica,
National Development Plan. Kingston: Planning
Institute of Jamaica; 2009.

References: December 17, 2009, at http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/9036.html Music, 2007; 35(3): 499-515. 5 study. Kingston: The Gleaner; March 2, 2008:A6. 7 on buses carrying schoollers. Kingston: Jamaica Observer; October 25, 2009 9. Southe S. Degenerate impact of dancehall music. Kinston: Jamaica Prime Time; April 26, 2008 10. United Nations Children’s Fund. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) 11. Jamaica Laws. The Child Care and Protection Act, 2004