Music is a widespread and diverse form of art that has been enjoyed by people from all cultures and corners of the earth since the dawn of civilization. As an inherent part of human society, music has a universal quality to it, transcending cultural and temporal barriers and being at the same time one of the most prevalent means of entertainment and one of the few things that can unite people despite their differences.
With its uncanny ability to evoke strong emotions and bring us joy and comfort, music accompanies us all throughout our lives, in one form or another. Most people enjoy either listening to music or playing a musical instrument. For some, music is a simple pastime; for others, itโs a lifelong passion or a profession.
However, although music is a constant companion for most, being there through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, the bond that people have with it seems to be strongest in youth, more specifically during teenage years.
Teens appear to connect with music on a much deeper level than adults, so much so that sometimes their entire existence and personalities seem to revolve around or be defined by the tunes and bands they so adore.
So why does music play such an important role in teenagersโ lives, and what changes when they reach adulthood? A study by Patricia Shehan Campbell, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, with support from the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation, looks into the enduring connection that teenagers have with music and provides some interesting insights that can help us gain a better understanding of the phenomenon.
Inside teenagersโ music-filled worlds
The study in question is called Adolescentsโ Expressed Meanings of Music in and out of School and is part of the “Sounds of Learning” project, whose purpose is to explore the impact of music education in the lives of students and explore its potential benefits in a learning context.
1,155 teens took part in the study, which was based on the essays they sent to Teen People magazine, as part of an online contest where they had to discuss aspects related to learning and playing music. The topics and themes that the teens touched upon shed light on their relationships with music, unravelling a series of beliefs and attitudes that most of them seemed to share.
The majority referred to music as a modality to connect to others, express their emotions freely, showcase their individuality, or feel more relaxed in different settings; they also viewed it as a reflection of the American culture and lifestyle and a source of motivation that encourages them to pursue their goals. Respondents also said they relied on music to help them deal with challenging situations, such as family expectations and pressure, social dynamics, loss, etc.
The desire to have more varied options for studying music in school, particularly in terms of musical instruments and the technology available, was another recurrent theme in their essays.
At the same time, participants expressed a genuine interest in playing their instruments and improving their musical skills because they enjoyed the experience of being part of their schoolโs musical community.
When it comes to the overall benefits of studying music, teens cited learning discipline, bridging cultural and generational gaps, and unlocking opportunities in the musical field. As for the skills that music education helps develop, most of them mentioned music literacy, listening skills, fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and enhanced cognitive abilities.
Extracting insights
By analyzing the ideas that teens expressed in their essays one can draw several conclusions about their relationship with music.
First of all, teenage years can be a very isolating time in a personโs life. Adolescence is a formative period when teenagers start laying the bricks that build their character. With all the new discoveries and experiences and the intense emotions they trigger, most teens feel confused, overwhelmed, and misunderstood and often withdraw from the world where they donโt seem to fit in.
During these turbulent times, music can provide both an escape from all the noise around them and an outlet that allows them to explore and relate to the outside world. It helps them integrate into society and smoothes the journey to adulthood.
When emotions are running high, and teens donโt know how to process and express them, music does that for them. Therefore, listening to certain music genres or artists or playing an instrument and being in a band themselves offers teens a sense of connection and belonging, making them feel like theyโre part of a group where they are understood and accepted.
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Being a member of a music fandom gives them the opportunity to connect with others and form friendships based on the values and beliefs they share. This is the same reason why teenagers become die-hard fans of certain movie franchises and start piling up on a wide range of collectibles. Itโs all about being part of something bigger and finding a purpose and direction in life.
At the same time, studying music and enhancing skills in this area gives teenagers a sense of accomplishment and pride, making them feel useful and capable of achieving more in life. Even when music is just a hobby, it can help them explore different aspects of their personality and identity and boost their confidence and self-esteem.
For some teens, music is also a coping mechanism. They can turn to music whenever theyโre going through a rough patch and need to process their emotions, as adolescence is known for being quite a wild ride, with all the friendship dramas, heartbreaks, and the demands of academic success it brings along.
Due to it being such a powerful force with a profound emotional impact on people, music is central to teenagersโ lives, providing emotional support, facilitating social interactions, improving skills, and helping them develop their identities.
