You may remember being drawn to certain music when you were a teen. Maybe it spoke to you on a deep level that your parents didn’t seem to understand. Perhaps you didn’t really understand it either. Teens today are no different, and their mysterious connection to music is just as strong as generations before.
But how does music affect teenagers’ behavior and emotions? Music helps teens explore ideas and emotions safely and express themselves without words. Exposure to positive influences through music can help teens learn coping mechanisms and appropriate responses to stressful situations. Music also helps teens connect to social groups and gain a feeling of belonging.
It can be hard to see questionable music choices as a positive influence in your teen’s life, but it’s best not to assume the worst either. Kids learn a lot through music, even if parents can’t see the value right away. By understanding how music affects teens’ emotions and behaviors, we can use it as a tool to better understand our kids and to help guide them to better choices and a happier life.
The Power of Music
The power of music to evoke strong emotions, imagery and ideas has been studied at great length. In the article, “Music has Powerful (and Visible) Effects on the Brain”, Dr. Jonathan underscores the close connection between music and emotions: “Music is primal. It affects all of us, but in very personal, unique ways. Your interaction with music is different than mine, but it’s still powerful”.
Teens are especially receptive to music’s power due to their quickly shifting emotions, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.
We already know that music can have a profound effect on the human brain, and the genre doesn’t seem to matter. Numerous studies have been conducted to see exactly how music influences thoughts and behaviors. So much research has gone into it that there’s even a formula for making popular music now.
But how do we harness the power of music to reach our teens?
Peer Approval
Some draw to popular music has to do with the overpowering drive to belong. When a song or an artist sits in the spotlight, that song or artist suddenly becomes more appealing to teens.
By publicly expressing an appreciation for them (displaying their merchandise, for example) teens are announcing themselves as part of the bigger peer group. They do so in an attempt to gain acceptance and approval, even if they don’t actually care for the music itself. This can be both good and bad, but the outcome has a lot to do with how parents respond to it.
Using Popular Music to Connect
Boy with long hair and red headphones
If you happen to like the song or band, your job is easy. Use it to connect with your teen over a shared appreciation for it.
However, if you loudly protest a particular band or song, it will only push your teen to love it more. Instead, accept that this is a part of their lives and look for ways to acknowledge the value in it. Music helps teens explore ideas and emotions safely and express themselves without words. Exposure to positive influences through music can help teens learn coping mechanisms and appropriate responses to stressful situations. Music also helps teens connect to social groups and gain a feeling of belonging.
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