Name of Candidate: Aldine Riley Candidate Number: School: deCarteret College Centre Number: Topic: An investigation into how

dancehall music affects the teenagers within West Road (Mandeville).

Problem Statement
To examine the impact of dancehall music on the attitudes, behaviours and perception of teenagers within the community of West Rd (Mandeville).

Statement of the Problem

The fundamental tenant behind this research paper is to examine how dancehall music impacts on the attitudes, behaviours and perception of teenagers within the West Rd (Mandeville) community. However, Mandeville is peculiarzed by low levels of crime by juvenile delinquents as a result of lack of education, unemployment and low self-esteem. In todays contemporary society dancehall music has now become a mechanism of transferring discriminative lyrics, which has contributed to the high levels of deviant behaviour within society. Dancehall music is associated with the term popular culture, which refers to collective artistic expressions and practices of a group of people. Dancehall music is no longer concerned with articulating and amplifying the concerns of the lower class but instead it more concerned with making profit and as a result of this dancehall music is now been portrayed as a negative part of our culture as the lewd lyrics now promotes crime and violence, promiscuity and also discrimination among females within the community. Furthermore, in spite the negative lyrics portrayed by these dancehall artiste, the demand for dancehall music continues to rise. Moreover, in order to provide several correlations to explain the causes of deviant behaviour among teenagers within the community of 5B West Rd. The researcher will employ the use of various comparative methodologies. Thus to provide some causal relationship between the topical issue and the effects it has on the 5B West Rd community.

Aims and Objectives

o To find out the impact of dancehall music on the attitudes of teenagers. o To determine if the impact of dancehall music on the behaviour of teenagers are positive or negative. o To find out the perception of teenagers towards dancehall music. o To suggest strategies that can be taken to reduce the impact of dancehall music on teenagers.

Educational Value
Teenagers play a vital role within society presently and in the future as they will become the next generation. This research is to endow the society of whether the impacts of dancehall music on the attitudes and behaviours of teenagers are positive or negative as well as the consequences of their perception. This research also extends their knowledge as to explain why teenagers exhibit deviant behaviours. In addition, this research is well compiled since it gives the perspective which comes from the members of society as well as other researchers who have given insight on the topic. The study will be carried out to increase awareness of the impact of dancehall music on teenagers. The study will inform on how these impacts manipulates the thinking of society. Hence this research is of great educational value. Finally, this study will definitely play an essential part in helping individuals who are seeking information on the topical issue. The research will also highlight possible solutions which can be implemented to annihilate the challenges faced.

Definition of Key Terms

Perception- Perception is awareness, comprehension or an understanding of something. Attitude-An attitude is a favourable or unfavourable evaluation of something. Attitudes are generally positive or negative views of a person, place, thing, or situation. Behaviour-the way in which a person behaves in response to a particular situation or stimulus: Dancehall- Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music. A more sparse version of reggae, it also speaks on politics and religion but not as directly as roots style. Music- The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. Unemployed- A person without a paid job but is available to work. Juvenile delinquent- a person who is under age (usually below 18), who is found to have committed a crime in states which have declared by law that a minor lacks responsibility and thus may not be sentenced as an adult. Education- The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. Deviant- a person or thing that departs markedly from the accepted norm.

Literature Review
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. Digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably, with digital dancehall becoming increasingly characterized by faster rhythms. According to an article in the Daily Gleaner dated April 6, 2008 entitled Slackness and

more slackness women are viewed as sex objects because of the images portrayed in music videos where they indulge in sex-simulating gyrations and their dressing. This type of music depicts how females lose self-actualization and show themselves as sex objects for popularity and good judgement. This however results in high levels of female dependency on males within the community. Females tend to dress skimpy in these music videos because they are seeking attention due to low self-esteem, while others just see it as a normative manner to behave.

Moreover, dancehall music has negative impacts on teenagers. A research prepared by Sacha-Marie Hill dated September 6, 2010; entitled The Influence of Popular Culture on Male Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviour best reinforces this point. Sacha Marie Hill stated that dancehall music implored them to have sex. According to Forbes (2006), approximately 68 % of boys and 65 % of girls said dancehall music made them want to have sex often. However the messages within the music portrayed in the dancehall emphasises the flaunting of masculinity and virility and also celebrate the females ability to keep her man through the fulfilment of his sexual desires. These types of sexual lyrics encourage girls to become promiscuous and start having sex at an early age, as these young girls look up to these dancehall artistes thus they will behave in the manner which is encouraged through dancehall music.

Furthermore, most of the teenagers within the community of West Rd (Mandeville) hold a common notion that dancehall music evokes their emotions and arouse their sexual desires and the lyrical content of the songs make it an approval to have sex. Peer pressure is also one of the factors taken into consideration, because no male teen wants to be left out and every female wants to keep her man.

Fundamentally, there are several perceptions as to dancehall music and what teens think. Some factors include violence, erosion of moral fibre, sexual behaviour and criticism of homosexuality. Many dance hall artists use lyrics that portray violent scenes. Because of this, some critics argue that the music encourages violent behaviour. Sexuality plays a significant role in dance hall music, and so it is no surprise that it influences the sexual choices of fans. Another concern about the effect of dance Hall music is that it encourages listeners to ignore many important aspects of Jamaican culture. For instance, some argue that dance hall glorifies disrespect for authorities and elders which foster the erosion of moral fibre. Moreover, dancehall music contributes to the formation of sub cultural groups which exhibit deviant behaviours. Dancehall music has also created division within society by forming cliques and alliances within dancehall music such as Gaza and Gully as a result of this the teenagers have divided themselves into the different cliques or alliances. This division of dancehall music has posed some negative effects on the Jamaican society as these alliances continue promote violence among each other. A young academic from the University of the West Indies in an interview on the Dionne Jackson Miller on the TV programme All Angles on Wednesday, October 28 advocated that the current lash between the Gaza and Gully is having a negative impact on our youth. She

agreed that music has a very strong influence on the behaviour of our young people. This position was new coming from the University of the West Indies, since other academicians from that institution who publicly discuss the dancehall phenomenon in our society usually take a position of defence as it relates to the genres negative impact on our youth. Dancehall music continues to justify negative behaviour and attitudes because `man affi eat a food`. These types of behaviours continue to break down the moral boarders of society. According to the book Caribbean Studies for Cape, Integrated Approach Jennifer Mohammed (2007) mass media such as Dancehall music continues to portray women in a negative light, portraying them as sex objects. In addition the negative lyrics portrayed by these dancehall artistes have affected the behaviours of the teenagers within the family and at school as these teenagers gradually exhibit negative behaviours such as, disrespecting there teachers especially the teenage boys who constantly disrespect their female teachers. Dancehall music mostly depicts negative aspects of women, thus these teenage boys no longer have any respect for women. Finally the government can implement various strategies to minimize the negative effects of dancehall music towards the teenagers within society such as censorship and even banning of some of these negative songs.

Method of Data Collection

The researcher employed the use of archival research to study the impact of dancehall music on teenagers attitudes, behaviour and perception in the West Rd (Mandeville). Archival research was chosen because most of the data researched already existed in recorded information. Both secondary and primary sources were used as data collection. The primary source employed was the questionnaire which consisted of both opened and closed ended questions. In addition, questionnaires were chosen because it is easily distributed and collected; less time consuming an immediate response is not needed. The secondary sources used were textbooks, internet and newspaper articles from the Daily Gleaner. These research methods employed allowed the researcher to gather empirical evidence to the topical issue.

Note to respondents I am Riley I currently attend deCartert College and is conducting a research into how dancehall music impacts teenagers within the community of West Rd (Mandeville). The researcher promises confidentiality in response to your choices, therefore your name is not required. I would like your truthful responses in answering the questionnaire. Thanks for your cooperation. Yours sincerely, Aldine Riley Aldine Riley (Researcher)

Questionnaire

1. Which gender are you? Male Female

2. To which age group do you belong? 11-13 14-16 17-19 20 and over

3. What effects does dancehall music have on teenagers? It leads to deviant behaviours It contributes to poverty None of the above

Causes a rise in Sexually Transmitted Disease

4. Do you live in West Rd (Mandeville)? Yes No

5. If yes, how long have you been living there? Less than 1 year 1-5years 5-10years 10 years or more

6. Does dancehall music have a positive or negative effect on teenagers? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

7. What is the impact of dancehall music on the attitude and behaviours of teenagers within the community of West Rd (Mandeville).? Positive impact Negative impact Both Neither

8. What is the impact of dancehall music on the perception of teenagers? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

9. Does dancehall music affect both teenage genders? Girls only Boys only Both Neither

10. Majority of teenagers who listen to dancehall music are Average high school students High school drop outs Unemployed teenagers Juvenile delinquents

11. How often do you listen to dancehall music? Daily Weekly Once in a while Never

12. Why is it that our society is so drawn to dancehall music? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

13. Which of the following does dancehall music portray? Crime and violence Sexual Desires Cultural Integration Neither

14. What are some of the measures that can be taken to reduce how frequently teenagers listen to dancehall music? Provide employment Education awareness programme Air less over radio

Encouragement to listen different genres of music]

Presentation of Data

PERCENTAGE OF MALE AND FEMALE RESPONDENTS

50%

50%

Male Female

Figure 1: Pie Chart #1 depicting male and female participants.

AGE GROUP
60 50 40 30 20 10 0 11-13 years 14-16 years 17-19 years 20 years and over 11-13 years 14-16 years 17-19 years 20 years and over

Figure 2: Bar Graph #1 reveals the age range of the respondents.

Table highlighting the effects of dancehall music. Effects Percentage

It leads to deviant behaviours

50%

Causes a rise in Sexual Transmitted Disease

20%

Contributes to poverty

30%

None of the above

0%

Figure 3: Table #1 highlighting effects of dancehall music .

PIE CHART SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF YEARS THE RESPONDESNTS HAVE LIVED IN West Rd (Mandeville).

15% 30% less than 1 year 1-5 years 5-10 years 30% 10 years or more

25%

Figure 4: Pie Chart #2 showing percentage of the amount of years each respondent has lived in West Rd (Mandeville).

BAR GRAPH REVEALING THE IMPACT OF DANCEHALL MUSIC ON TEENAGERS ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS
90 80 70 Nmber of respondents 60 50 Series 1 40 30 20 10 0 Positive impact Negative imact Both Neither THE IMPACT OF DANCEHALL ON TEENS 4 14 80 Column1 Column2

Figure 5: Bar Graph #2 revealing the impact of dancehall music on teenagers behaviour and attitudes.

BAR GRAPS SHOWING HOW OFTEN RESPONDENTS LISTEN TO DANCEHALL MUSIC

25 Daily 50 Weekly Once a month Never 20

Figure 6: Pie Chart #3 showing how frequent respondents listen to dancehall music.

60 50 40

PIE CHART ILLUSTRATING FACTORS WHICH DANCEHALL MUSIC POTRAYS

50 45

Crime and Violence 30 20 10 0 Crime and Violence Sexual Desires Cultural Integration None of the above Sexual Desires Cultural Integration None of the above 5 0

Figure 7: Bar Graph #4 illustrates the factors dancehall music portrays.

Table showing measures to reduce how frequent dancehall music is listened.

Measures

Percentage

Employment

10%

Education awareness programmes

40%

Air less over Radio

20%

Encouragement to listen different genres of music

30%

Figure 8: Table #2 highlights possible measures that can be taken to reduce how frequent dancehall music is listened.

Interpretation of Findings
The survey on the effects dancehall music on teenagers was done by the use of questionnaire, bar graphs, pie chart and tables. Fig 1 accounted for the percentage of respondents that participated in the study. 50% were males while the other 50% were females. Fig 2 illustrates the age range of respondents. The minority of the respondents was from ages 11-13 consisting of 5%, the respondents ages 14-16 accounted for 30%, the majority of the respondents were from ages 17-19 containing 50% and the other 15% were in the age range of 20 and over. Fig 3 shows the effects of dancehall. Majority of the respondents were accounted for 50% were it leads to deviant behaviours, 20% says it causes a rise in STDs; the other 30% says it contributed to poverty. Fig 4 shows the percentage of how long each respondent have lived in West Rd (Mandeville). 1-5 years as well as 10 years or more each accounted for 30%, while 15% were less than a year and 25% lived there for 5-10 years. Fig 5 revealed the impact of dancehall music on teenagers attitudes and behaviours. The majority chose negative impacts which accounted for 80%, while 4% were positive impacts, 14% were both and 2% said neither. Fig 6 shows how often dancehall music is listened by the respondents. The minimum which accounted for 5% said never, while 50% said daily, 25% responded once a month and 20% accounted for weekly. Fig 7 illustrates factors dancehall music portrays.

Majority responded sexual desires which accounted for 50%, 45% were crime and violence, 5% were cultural integration. Fig 8 shows possible measures to reduce how frequent dancehall music is listened. Minority which accounted for 10% said employment, 20% air less over the radio, 30 % said encouragement to listen different genres of music and the majority was 40% said implement education awareness programs.