Some people argue that negative lyrics are harmless, that nobody listens to them seriously, and that they have no impact on society. The fact that companies have continued to advertise for more than 80 years on the radio and 50 years on the television demonstrates that it is a very effective medium for promoting messages. Obviously, some promotional and advertising campaigns are more effective than others because of the hundreds of different variables that exist during the influencing process.
Music and lyrics work on this exact same principal. Words are very powerful because words become thoughts. Thoughts are the seeds to belief, and with belief a person is empowered. Therefore, over time the negative messages may take hold in the mind in the form of belief, particularly if it is reinforced by other means.
So too in the case of negative demoralizing material. Regardless of the creator’s intent, the constant exposure can desensitize the mind and weaken the will to resist, particularly among those groups of individuals that are more susceptible to influence, like children and teenagers (particular troubled children and teenagers).
Should parents, family members, friends, and community be concerned over those music idols and teachers that advocate suicide as a solution to solving life’s problems? One may ask, who in their right mind would sing songs that advocate or glorify suicide to a listening audience that consists of many emotionally distraught teenagers and young adults that may suffer from severe anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems? But there are musicians out there who do just that without any hesitation, as they pleasurably profit from platinum sales figures.
One of the musicians that wrote song lyrics that glorified suicide was interviewed. His defense was that kids contemplating suicide are so messed up to begin with that it is beyond his responsibility how they interpret his music and act. For some people, mental and addictive disorders are central risk factors for suicide (i.e., depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders). However, does that mean that the entertainers are free from all responsibility and accountability to society?
There are an estimated 775,000 suicides attempted annually in the United States with about 30,000 being successful. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, and has tripled since the 1950s. Presently, about 5000 adolescents ages 15 to 24 years of age successfully commit suicide per year.
There is an average of six intimate survivors for each successful suicide (i.e., family members, friends, etc.). There is probably unanimous agreement from surviving families and friends of loved ones that no matter how seemingly hopeless, unfair, depressing, and desperate a situation that there is no circumstance ever that is worth killing one's self over.
Suicide is never a viable solution for anyone. Suicide is a form of quitting. What type of teacher would teach the students that they care about to quit and not strive to meet their highest potential in life?