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If The Genre Was Not Seen In This Light, Then Perhaps Less Of These Sorts Of ...

If the genre was not seen in this light, then perhaps less of these sorts of individuals would listen to it and the music would not have such a bad reputation.
Conclusion
Although it is clear that metal has been associated with violence in the past and will probably continue to be so in the future, there is no direct link between metal and levels of aggression. Whilst the researcher will not deny that there is plenty of evidence to suggest that many troubled and violent individuals listen to metal music and take its messages the wrong way, this does not constitute the same as saying metal causes violence.
The well-publicised cases in the media such as the Judas Priest suicide case, the Columbine Massacre and the shooting of Dimebag Darrell all aim to place the blame for violence on metal music. The researcher admits that in all these cases metal music was involved and in some ways could be called a contributory factor towards the problems. However, far greater issues were involved in all cases, such as poor family backgrounds, societal pressures, lack of gun control, and substance abuse. Metal music could in no way be called the major contributory factor towards violence in these cases, nor could it be said that metal music was the reason these incidences occurred. Rather, it is the powerful nature of metal music that attracts these violent individuals towards it, rather than the music causing the aggression within them.
In addition to these cases, the studies mentioned have shown there to be no causal link between listening to metal music and aggression levels. Even in the cases where the researchers were looking for such a link, it could not be found. Although there is no denying that many people who listen to metal music are perhaps reckless, particularly males, and can behave badly sometimes, it is unlikely that the music is the real cause of this.
In fact, rather than being a negative influence on today's youth metal provides comfort and catharsis for many young adults, not just those who are seen as troubled. The study of gifted children showed that many of them were indeed metal fans, and that rather than using it as a tool for aggression it helped them to relieve their stress and deal with the problems of alienation and pain in their lives. This is far from the image of the troubled, angry and violent metal listening youths that others have portrayed.
Whilst political influence will continue to portray many metal listeners as aggressive and violent individuals, the evidence suggests otherwise. In fact, it can be said that in many cases metal has a far more positive influence on people than it does a negative influence.
Bibliography
Arnett, J.J., (1996). Metal Heads: Heavy metal music and adolescent alienation. Boulder, CO: Westview Press Incorporated.
Fleming, N.

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