Teenage Sexual Attitudes, Norms, Desires and Intentions: the Impact of Preferred Musical Genres
TEENAGE SEXUAL ATTITUDES, NORMS, DESIRES AND INTENTIONS: THE IMPACT OF PREFERRED MUSICAL GENRES A thesis submitted for the degreeof Doctor of Philosphy by SenaAgbo-Quaye Schoolof Social Scienceand Law Brunel University September2006 ABSTRACT This thesis focuses on teenage sexual attitudes and norms as moderated by their preferred music genre. The research questions addressedhere are: What are the genre differences in lyrical representations of relationships and male and female characteristics? What are young peoples' perceptions of the impact of these genre differences on their lives? How does genre preference influence teenage safer sex attitudes, desires, norms, control, group identity and intentions? Three studies investigated these research questions. Firstly, the lyrics to 50 songs across five genres were rated on a number of dimensions. Relationships in hip hop are significantly different to relationships in pop; in the former they are presented as more casual, exploitative, sexual and impulsive. They are portrayed in the latter as more committed, nurturing, romantic and responsible. Secondly, six focus group discussions were conducted with 41 young people aged 14-19 years. It was found that influence from music is heavily denied.However, it becameapparent that preferredgenre and artists influence all aspectsof teenagelives and culture; specifically, music functions as an educationaltool into adult relationships.Music assistsin the transitionfrom childhood to adulthoodwith genrepreference used as a marker of maturity. Thirdly, an omnibus questionnaire utilising theory of planned behaviour and social identity/self categorisationtheory constructsexamined genre preferenceand safer sex attitudes, normsand intentions.It was found that hip hop listenersare significantly more likely to choose condom use as their preferred safer sex method than listeners of pop music.
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