Teenage sexual attitudes, norms, desires and intentions: The impact of preferred musical genres

Abstract

This thesis focuses on teenage sexual attitudes and norms as moderated by their preferred music genre. The research questions addressed here 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 became apparent that preferred genre and artists influence all aspects of teenage lives and culture; specifically, music functions as an educational tool into adult relationships. Music assists in the transition from childhood to adulthood with genre preference used as a marker of maturity. Thirdly, an omnibus questionnaire utilising theory of planned behaviour and social identity/self categorisation theory constructs examined genre preference and safer sex attitudes, norms and intentions. It was found that hip hop listeners are significantly more likely to choose condom use as their preferred safer sex method than listeners of pop music. Perceived behavioural control did not add to the predictive power in this model. Overall conclusions suggest that visual and aural music should be incorporated into sexual risk preventing interventions because preferred music genres and artists can elucidate teenage sexual attitudes, norms and desires.