search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
VIEWS & OPINION


Music for thought: the ability to affect the


youth of today Comment by NATALIE QUINN WALKER, Blended Learning Tutor (Healthcare Management Programme) at Arden University


The entertainment industry of television and music has embedded itself into everyone’s life, and with modern technology, music has become more accessible. Music has become a tool for socialising and interacting with people with similar interests. However, the content of music videos has changed over the


years, with more sexual images and innuendos being introduced. More music videos contain images of weapons such as knives, violence, and even high-powered weapons. This could have a substantial impact on children and young


teenagers, who have access to music videos through a variety of platforms which often show sex and violence, creating intriguing ideas on the impressionable child’s mind. The American Academy of Paediatrics (2010) stated that children spend more time interacting with media than any other activity other than sleep. Nevertheless, music can also create a positive influence, correcting its approach and improve on the language used. The industry could use music platforms to improve young people’s well-being and provide them with a voice, as people relate to the lyrics of the song, focusing on positivity. Music has become part of our social and cultural identity, with


listeners wanting to keep up-to-date with the latest trends in their social circle. The idea of using music as a method to reduce crime may be considered unrealistic. However, many songs have repetitive aspects that would help to convey positive messages, openly discussing these matters. Thus, positive messages will become entwined in their daily lives, without them feeling as though they are being pressured or targeted with this information from professionals. Instead, a message of peace will be echoed by their favourite musician. Music has a positive effect on the brain, affecting people’s energy


levels and proactivity. By producing positive, reinforced music, young people will feel confident, empowered, and encouraged to chase their dreams. A new creative approach is needed to address many issues in our society. Where there is no suggestion that music therapy or positive messages in music will solve these issues. Branching out and trying multiple methods to tackle them could create a multi-layer approach, capturing all the different remits that may influence violent behaviour in society. Songs such as ‘Give peace a chance,’ ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon


and ‘Do they know it is Christmas?’, have influenced individuals into supporting charities and discussed the barriers set for people from different cultures, and how to overcome these. Therefore, creating more catchy song lyrics with powerful messages expressing peace and non-violent messages could become influential, as music is often considered an escape for people from their reality. So, to re- educate and empower our youth of today, positive music can be the start of the change and a positive step forward. Although music will not be changing everyone’s mindset, it may encourage and empower young people to focus on constructive factors.


Reference List: American Academy of Pediatrics (2010) How media can affect children’s health. [online]. Available at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap- press-room/Pages/How-Media-Can-Affect-Children's-Health.aspx


Editor’s Choice 2020


Tackling ‘toxic masculinity’ in


teenage boys Comment by JUSTYN PAGE, founder of First Round Fitness


As part of their Serious Violence Action Plan, Greater Manchester’s council and police chief commissioned a report that came out at the end of 2019 looking into how violence affects young people. The study found that peer pressure and a culture of ‘toxic masculinity’ increases the likelihood of teenage boys getting involved in serious crime.


The report concluded that schools should provide boys aged 12 –


13 with ‘anger management’ lessons to help manage aggression, understand peer pressures and ‘develop identities and aspirations which do not rely on violence or exploitation’. The report said that boys are being told more than ever that


‘retaliation is a strength and emotions other than aggression are feminine.’ It is perhaps not so surprising then that knife crime offences in Greater Manchester’s schools have risen by 108% since 2015. The link between young people getting involved in violence and


their academic abilities has recently been highlighted by statistics from the Department for Education, which revealed that 10 – 18-year olds who are convicted of possessing a knife are generally lower achievers academically – their GCSE scores are significantly lower than their classmates’ and statistics show that they are more likely to be expelled from school. There is no doubt that helping tackle aggression in teenage boys


should be at the top of schools’ priority lists, but is it realistic to expect that this will be achieved in a passive environment like a classroom? We find that working closely with schools to offer students


alternative ways of learning is an extremely effective way of promoting engagement amongst even the most disengaged students, as they learn key skills such as focus and determination by taking part in vigorous sporting exercises. While there are many creative, non-academic ways of facilitating


learning during school hours, we work with children to provide non- contact boxing sessions in a controlled environment. Not only does this go a long way in encouraging discipline, determination and drive amongst the children, it also provides them with a physical outlet through which they can drain excess energy. High energy physical release inevitably aids in emotional release too, helping drain built-up tension which might otherwise lead to aggression and violence. This is especially important during teenage years, when hormones are raging and emotions flaring. Children are more than ever associating their sense of self-worth


with their test scores. We argue that many students need to be challenged in alternative ways to produce the best holistic development. Such steps include vigorous exercise which pushes them to surpass their perceived physical and psychological barriers, which helps provide young people with a real sense of achievement. The mentality that is developed when pushing barriers and


building resilience creates cohesion during a safe and structured session, which inadvertently helps children learn to trust themselves to make better decisions. As young people’s attitudes towards learning and education shifts, we see a positive change in their behaviour, both in the classroom and at a social level. At a time when schools are under mounting pressure to help curb


teenage violence, they must look beyond the traditional academia- focused system to uncover alternative education services, which, crucially, are conducive to focussing the mind and developing control in young people.


www.education-today.co.uk 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68