What music says about your teenager

Being a teenager is extremely difficult and being the parent of a teenager is no easier. There are so many things we need to worry about and consider; how much exercise they do, how they interact with their friends, how they feel about their bodies, their new relationships and so forth. So, what can discussing their music choices reveal about their personalities?

The topic of young people’s music choices has been a topic of adult interest and concern ever since the division between adults and teenagers was constructed in the 1950s. It serves as a great distinction between parents and our children, teenagers and adults, teenagers and children. And the music industry has strived on it ever since with their marketing capabilities and their branding around the different groups of teenagers.

Effect of music on our mind

Healthy development is important. One thing we’ve learnt, especially with mental illness being so prevailing with teenagers today, is that they can use music to explore their complex minds. They can often find peace in the lyrics, or the expression of movement to help explore their new emotions and feelings. But we don’t always need to raise our concerns at the sound of heavy metal or disturbing lyrics.

We’re not all laid back and relaxed parents, parenting is the hardest thing we will ever do and the is a constant worry that something will happen, even as they grow up and their height surpasses ours. But sometimes, we let our assumptions and worries make mistakes for us.

What we mean, is that we can sometimes assume that music changes people and can have different effects. Of course, we like to think that when we listen to calming music, it lends itself to happiness. Or slow and sad love tunes, tends to make us think of a loved one we no longer see anymore and so forth. It can go the opposite way of course. Slow soppy music can make us more appreciative of the things we have in life, or happy, upbeat music can trigger a sadness in us.

Communication is key

So, what about when our teens, are listening to music that triggers a concern within us? What is the answer to communicating with our teenagers and opening the dialogue to help with the stage in their lives they are experiencing, and their need to listen to a certain genre of music?

Communication is ultimately the key to talking with your teenagers. We have said this in previous blogs, but it’s easier said than done of course. What does this have to do with music? Ask your teen about why they’re listening to this music. Ask they what they like about it. You can ask about their moods and the relation to the music.

Additionally, you can ask about their friends’ music tastes. Do they all listen to it together? Do they feel better after listening to the tunes? Do they have a favourite artist? All these things can help to put your worries at bay, or bring about further questions for you to ask.

Music, is a means of expression we know. There will be some questions you’ll consider asking that may hit a sour point. If this is the case, work slowly with your teen. Music may be a means of releasing such emotions, or it may be a cry for help. You won’t know until you try, and if you find that there is an issue, well, that’s a whole other blog post for us to explore with you.

But we want to reassure you, that music is mostly used as an expression of positivity. What can sometimes be perceived as negativity, can instead be a way of helping people, and teens, to process difficult emotions.

Now, we think you should go put on your favourite tune that helps you relax, and put your feet up. You deserve it!

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