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Metal Music Could In No Way Be Called The Major Contributory Factor Towards ...

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., (2007) Heavy Metal ‘a comfort for the bright child', The Telegraph 21st March 2007, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2007/03/21/nmetal21.xml
Gross, R.L., (1990) Heavy Metal Music: A New Subculture in American Society, The Journal of Popular Culture 24 (1), 119130.
Hill, M.E., (2000) The Effects of Heavy Metal Music on Levels of Aggression in College Students. Copyright 2006 Missouri Western State University, http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/194.asp
Observer, The, (2005) In the face of death, February 20th 2005, http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1415240,00.html
Roberts, D.F., et al, (2003) The Effects of Violent Music on Children and Adolescents, http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/dgentile/106027_08.pdf
Robinson, B.A, (1999) Why Did The Columbine Shooting Happen in Little CO?, http://www.religioustolerance.org/sch_vio1.htm
Ultimate Guitar.com, (2005) Heavy Metal = Violence?, http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/heavy_metal__violence.html
Weinstein, D., (2000) Heavy Metal: The Music and its Culture, Da Capo Press; Revised edition (April 4, 2000).

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