Hip Hop Music's Influence On Urban Adolescents
At-Risk youth in need of intervention oftentimes do not seek proper help and instead deal with their issues and frustrations internally, turning to music (specifically Hip Hop/Rap) as an outlet in response to the poor social conditions in their environment (Alvarez, 2012). There is a direct correlation between where a young person is raised (relating to their SES) and their social/emotional outcomes. Urban youth who grow up in poverty and/or are exposed to violence and drugs, are likely to be at a disadvantage from the very start and are more prone to negative social and emotional outcomes, including low self esteem. (Leventhal, Brooks-Gunn, 2000 & Alvarez, 2012).
Rap and Hip Hop music has a strong influence on minorities and adolescents from urban areas by offering them an …show more content…
outlet and a sense of belonging to a certain demographic or culture in society (Levy, 2012). Today’s youth has been greatly empowered and influenced by underground and commercial rap, and researchers have explored the idea that engagement with rap music among at-risk youth and adolescents is associated with emotional regulation and aid in functional relationships (Travis, 2013). Not only is Hip Hop/Rap music engagement found to be successful in reducing levels of depression and depressive symptoms as well as increasing community engagement, it is also found to promote empowerment and social change at the community level (Travis, 2013 & Kobin & Tyson, 2006).
Often times in Hip Hop music, artists speak on the struggles they have endured and overcome, as well as the plights of oppressed populations growing out of the “ghettos,” and their current experiences and dreams for the future (Alvarez, 2012). Engagement with these familiar themes helps this at-risk population feel connected others while simultaneously promoting a “deeper emotional understanding of self” (Levy, 2012). This paper will address the research question: What is the impact of engagement with Hip Hop music on self-esteem in at-risk youth and adolescents?
Hip Hop and Rap Culture
Hip Hop artists often talk about their culture, values, beliefs and membership to an oppressed population in their lyrics, which many urban adolescents can relate to.
(Alvarez, 2012). Feeling trapped in a poor neighborhood and possessing a dream to become successful and create a life of their own is often a theme in Hip Hop that not only resonates with the younger urban generation, but often acts as inspiration for them to aspire to become greater than where they come from (Alvarez, 2012 & Levy, 2012). Though lyrics may contain violent aspects and misogynistic undertones, urban adolescents are un-phased because it is something that they may see everyday, and it is important for them to know that they are not alone (Levy, 2012 & Travis, 2013). When they engage with this music, youth from low income neighborhoods or of ethnic/minority backgrounds, often form a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them which inherently provides them with a more positive outlook on their future and in turn, an increase in their self esteem (Kobin & Tyson, 2006). They will be able to manifest the lyrics and their dreams into something tangible, on the road to interpersonal development (Levy,
2012).
Many youth and adolescent feel that the topics prevalent in Hip Hop music address messages about self image and experience both at the individual level and collective group level. Promotion of self esteem and positive development is emphasized as a response to marginalization of specific groups. Explicitly building upon themes of SES, race, ethnicity, sex, class etc., urban youth and adolescents are able to emotionally connect to these Hip Hop lyrics and emerge from the constraints of modern society (Travis, 2013). In this aspect, self esteem is increased in urban youth and adolescents by fostering a conscious reflection of identity and promoting positive youth development
Music Engagement and Self Esteem
Apart from Hip Hop music specifically, research finds that engagement with music in general is a common coping method for people of all age cohorts. Many turn to music to promote a positive mood and calm themselves down in effort to decrease negative emotions and feelings (Travis, 2013). Being surrounded by a negative environment similar to what many urban youths are subject to is detrimental to their overall wellbeing. Music becomes an outlet and a way for them to essentially survive and overcome life’s obstacles. Research provides that music is used in emotional self regulation and significant change in mood across the lifespan (Saarikallio, 2011). Music engagement has also been shown to decrease stress and negative self statements in adolescent boys (Kivland, 1986). Music not only triggers emotion, but can also influence and elicit emotions as well (Thoma, Ryf, Mohiyeddini, Ehlert & Nater, 2012). Since this area is well researched, we are able to draw conclusions and dig deeper with more specific research in the techniques that music can aid in treatment, how to utilize it, and the specific genres that would be the most optimal for various demographics.
Conclusion
While Hip Hop and Rap, as a culture is readily recognized as a form of expression, utilizing it in a therapy setting in reference to treatment of mental health and positive development in general is a fairly new field of study; and the exploration of its impact on self esteem on urban youth and adolescent continues to be heavily examined. Both listening to and engaging with Hip Hop and Rap music and its culture has been shown to increase self identity and esteem among urban youth and adolescents (DeCarlo & Hockman, 2001; Kobin & Tyson, 2006; Travis, 2013). Future research should explore the affects of Hip Hop music engagement on other groups apart from minorities and those in urban environments. It would also be critical to expand research to include the racial identity of the practitioner. Most Hip Hop therapy is practiced by practitioners who are minorities therefore, exploring the affect of this therapy when the practitioner is of a dominant racial identity working with a client of a racial minority would provide beneficial information for future practitioners interested in utilizing this technique (Kobin & Tyson, 2006). Regardless, further attention should be focused toward the issue of urban youth development and self esteem in general relating to alternative therapies that can create a lasting and emphatic relationship between them and their therapist/counselor.
Rap and Hip Hop music has a strong influence on minorities and adolescents from urban areas by offering them an …show more content…
outlet and a sense of belonging to a certain demographic or culture in society (Levy, 2012). Today’s youth has been greatly empowered and influenced by underground and commercial rap, and researchers have explored the idea that engagement with rap music among at-risk youth and adolescents is associated with emotional regulation and aid in functional relationships (Travis, 2013). Not only is Hip Hop/Rap music engagement found to be successful in reducing levels of depression and depressive symptoms as well as increasing community engagement, it is also found to promote empowerment and social change at the community level (Travis, 2013 & Kobin & Tyson, 2006).
Often times in Hip Hop music, artists speak on the struggles they have endured and overcome, as well as the plights of oppressed populations growing out of the “ghettos,” and their current experiences and dreams for the future (Alvarez, 2012). Engagement with these familiar themes helps this at-risk population feel connected others while simultaneously promoting a “deeper emotional understanding of self” (Levy, 2012). This paper will address the research question: What is the impact of engagement with Hip Hop music on self-esteem in at-risk youth and adolescents?
Hip Hop and Rap Culture
Hip Hop artists often talk about their culture, values, beliefs and membership to an oppressed population in their lyrics, which many urban adolescents can relate to.
(Alvarez, 2012). Feeling trapped in a poor neighborhood and possessing a dream to become successful and create a life of their own is often a theme in Hip Hop that not only resonates with the younger urban generation, but often acts as inspiration for them to aspire to become greater than where they come from (Alvarez, 2012 & Levy, 2012). Though lyrics may contain violent aspects and misogynistic undertones, urban adolescents are un-phased because it is something that they may see everyday, and it is important for them to know that they are not alone (Levy, 2012 & Travis, 2013). When they engage with this music, youth from low income neighborhoods or of ethnic/minority backgrounds, often form a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them which inherently provides them with a more positive outlook on their future and in turn, an increase in their self esteem (Kobin & Tyson, 2006). They will be able to manifest the lyrics and their dreams into something tangible, on the road to interpersonal development (Levy,
2012).
Many youth and adolescent feel that the topics prevalent in Hip Hop music address messages about self image and experience both at the individual level and collective group level. Promotion of self esteem and positive development is emphasized as a response to marginalization of specific groups. Explicitly building upon themes of SES, race, ethnicity, sex, class etc., urban youth and adolescents are able to emotionally connect to these Hip Hop lyrics and emerge from the constraints of modern society (Travis, 2013). In this aspect, self esteem is increased in urban youth and adolescents by fostering a conscious reflection of identity and promoting positive youth development
Music Engagement and Self Esteem
Apart from Hip Hop music specifically, research finds that engagement with music in general is a common coping method for people of all age cohorts. Many turn to music to promote a positive mood and calm themselves down in effort to decrease negative emotions and feelings (Travis, 2013). Being surrounded by a negative environment similar to what many urban youths are subject to is detrimental to their overall wellbeing. Music becomes an outlet and a way for them to essentially survive and overcome life’s obstacles. Research provides that music is used in emotional self regulation and significant change in mood across the lifespan (Saarikallio, 2011). Music engagement has also been shown to decrease stress and negative self statements in adolescent boys (Kivland, 1986). Music not only triggers emotion, but can also influence and elicit emotions as well (Thoma, Ryf, Mohiyeddini, Ehlert & Nater, 2012). Since this area is well researched, we are able to draw conclusions and dig deeper with more specific research in the techniques that music can aid in treatment, how to utilize it, and the specific genres that would be the most optimal for various demographics.
Conclusion
While Hip Hop and Rap, as a culture is readily recognized as a form of expression, utilizing it in a therapy setting in reference to treatment of mental health and positive development in general is a fairly new field of study; and the exploration of its impact on self esteem on urban youth and adolescent continues to be heavily examined. Both listening to and engaging with Hip Hop and Rap music and its culture has been shown to increase self identity and esteem among urban youth and adolescents (DeCarlo & Hockman, 2001; Kobin & Tyson, 2006; Travis, 2013). Future research should explore the affects of Hip Hop music engagement on other groups apart from minorities and those in urban environments. It would also be critical to expand research to include the racial identity of the practitioner. Most Hip Hop therapy is practiced by practitioners who are minorities therefore, exploring the affect of this therapy when the practitioner is of a dominant racial identity working with a client of a racial minority would provide beneficial information for future practitioners interested in utilizing this technique (Kobin & Tyson, 2006). Regardless, further attention should be focused toward the issue of urban youth development and self esteem in general relating to alternative therapies that can create a lasting and emphatic relationship between them and their therapist/counselor.