Response: In the public interest

Abstract

Understanding rock music's appeal to adolescents is a vital tool for child care professionals. The article, "Heavy Metal Kids: Are They Dancing With the Devil?" through its descriptive history provides an excellent foundation from which to start. The author also emphasizes the importance of increased awareness when it comes to children's listening habits as well as the necessity of imparting critical thinking skills. This is particularly relevant since technological advancements have permitted children access to their own stereos, TVs and VCRs, not to mention portable radios, tapes, and compact disc players. The Parents' Music Resource Center, founded six years ago, has been working to heighten parental awareness of music and its impact on adolescent behavior. Offering free lyrics, concert reviews, and information about artists and bands, we provide the tools nessessary for parents to have informed discussions regarding music preferences as recommended by the author. But child care professionals, especially those who develop prevention programs, must also be aware of the relationship between some forms of rock music and adolescent behavior. Research (King, 1988; Wass et al., 1988-89) has shown that a high positive correlation exists between destructive behavior in adolescents and their preference for music that describe similar activities. Therefore, insight to a child's mental state can be gained by identifying their music preferences and discussing lyrical content--not style--thereby also avoiding the generation conflict mentioned in the article. The article focuses on one style of music, but equal attention should be paid to other forms of music marketed primarily to children. Like heavy metal, rap music has become increasingly popular and sometimes contains negative themes as well as socially positive messages. In addition, parents and child care professionals alike need to be aware of the child's developmental stage when discussing lyric conRequests for reprints or other information should be addressed to Suzie Talaat at PMRC, 1500 Arlington Blvd., Room 130, Arlington, VA 22209.