iPod feature story-part 2

iPods have broken down the barriers that once faced music lovers. Listeners now have the ability to pick and choose their songs. For some, listen broadens the level of musical independence and individuality. Meghan says, “I form my own path. I listen to basically anything, I listen to what I want, even if others don’t like it”. Unique musical style may also make students branch out in school, with an increase of creative ideas in classes like English. However, for some students, the opposite effect is seen. Sophomore Maddie Johnson shares about her music choices by saying, “I sometimes conform to my brother’s music, I listen to what he buys, but I also listen to alternative and classic rock, which is what my friends like”.

When you think about musical choices for teens, you need to remember the source of their music. Two of the four students that I interviewed for this article admitted that they have downloaded music illegally. This accurately reflects the actions of the average American teenager; the Youth and Music Survey 2009 showed that 49% of music owned by 15-19 year olds is downloaded illegally. Even more surprising is that 70% of 15-24 year olds don’t even feel guilty about illegally downloading music. What does this say about the modern society? Are teens the same as they’ve always been, just with more opportunities to bend the law, or has the influence of the music industry damaged the conscience of high schoolers. Maddie Johnson explains, “My personality has changed because of my brother’s explicit music. I’ve become more explicit in my life because of it”.

Arguably the most noticeable way that iPods have changed students is the amount of time that students are listening to their music. Just the other day I was walking in the hallway and passed four kids in a row, with their heads down, headphones stuck in their ears, each holding their precious iPod. Every one of the four students that I talked to said that they listen to music during study hall, and while doing homework, especially math. However, when I asked them if their music makes them more efficient, each one thought about it for a while, then regrettably said no. Gio de Guzman came right out to say, “I lip-sync to the music, play the air guitar, and sometimes I actually sing out loud when I am listening to my iPod.”