Emo&Metalcore+-+The+core+of+Gen-Y's+communication.+Society...+are+you+listening!?

Jeremy Alexander

n8297177

Tutor: Katie Page

Tutorial: Friday 1000-1100



Presentation of aretefact:

‘After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music’ //Aldous Huxley // Music has been generation defining since the dawn of humanity as it attempts to express the inexpressible. This artefact is a collection of album covers that represents two genres of a defining sub-culture of generation-Y. These genres are emotional–hardcore (emo) and hardcore metal (metalcore) and arguably boast various similarities. The former rose to prominence at the beginning of the new millennia, the latter becoming favoured from 2006 till the present. Emo music typically vocalises the outpouring of emotions associated with tragic events to a melodic heavy-metal style accompaniment. Metalcore is faster, more aggressive and exchanges melody for guttural growls and deliberate mosh-inducing breakdowns.

Public Health Issue:

Deliberate self harm (DSH) especially among young people is a major public health conundrum. The taboo nature of the topic, akin to suicide, undermines the development of effective proactive models that may curtail this growing trend. The World Health Organisation estimates that 877,000 deaths were due to suicide in the year 2002 and attempted suicide can be up to 40 times more frequent. There were no approximations for DSH although other studies have suggested that the frequency is far greater. Professionals largely agree on common factors that increase the risk of DSH but proactive solutions are virtually non-existent – this is the ultimate issue.

Literature Review:

It is well recognised that acts of deliberate self-harm (DSH) are far more common than deaths by suicide with a significant increase of DSH reported in recent years in the United States ( Hawton, K., Harriss, L., 2008). This trend has also been seen in Australia with a 43% increase in DSH hospitalisations noted between 1996−97 and 2005−06. Information regarding DSH rates and trends are difficult to obtain due to a large percentage concealing their injuries and only a fraction requiring hospitalisation. Studies also show that health professionals have a rather low recognition of adolescent DSH. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (Haavisto, A., Sourander, A., Multimäki, P., Parkkola, K., Santalahti, P., Helenius, H., 2005). This literature review will discuss recent theories and methodologies currently used to analyse DSH in young people with generation-Y as the focal point.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">DSH is commonly defined as an intentional act of self injury with no intent to die and a non-fatal outcome( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Chapman, A., Gratz, K., Brown, M., 2006) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. It is a maladaptive avoidant coping strategy that frequently involves overdosing on drugs, cutting, battery, burning, jumping or hanging ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Young, R., Sweeting, H., West, P., 2006). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is common in the 12-17 year age group, however, children as young as 7 years have been found to self harm (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2002). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The following sources of Australian data reflect hospital admissions during a financial year period and refer to DSH where the intention may or may not have been to die. <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(AIHW, 2006)
 * <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Almost one-third DSH hospitalizations were for young people
 * <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7,299 hospitalisations - a rate of 197 per 100,000 young people
 * <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Between 1996−97 and 2005−06, the rate increased by 43%, from 138 per 100,000 young people to 197
 * <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The percentage increase was greater among females than males (51% compared with 27%), and the female rate was consistently at least twice as high as for males over this period (2.5 times in 2005–06)
 * <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In 2005–06, the hospitalisation rate for young females was highest among those aged 15−17 years. Among young males, the rate increased with age.
 * <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The majority (79%) of intentional self-harm hospitalisations among young people were due to intentional self-poisoning (5,769 hospitalisations), followed by intentional self harm by sharp object (15% or 1,122 hospitalisations).

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">These statistics are helpful in reporting the trends associated of DSH but that is all, unfortunately researchers encounter many limitations when studying the behaviour. The actual frequency of young people that resort to this behaviour remains an unknown largely due to the taboo nature of the act, the shame associated and attempts to conceal the physical signs, however, reoccurrence is highly common. The reason for this cyclical behaviour is due the extreme effectiveness of DSH in terminating unwanted emotional stress through escape conditioning and powerful negative reinforcement ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hawton, K., Harriss, L., 2008) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. This fits within the broad class of experiential avoidance behaviours which is defined as any behaviour that functions to avoid or escape from unwanted internal experiences or the external conditions that elicit them. Other similar avoidant coping styles include thought suppression, drug or alcohol abuse and phobias. ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Chapman, A., Gratz, K., Brown, M., 2006). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Music has been said to regulate emotions by allowing the temporary escape from thoughts while releasing pent up emotions. Emo and Metalcore music potentially take this concept a step further by fulfilling the escapist needs through the music while at the same time validating and vocalising feelings through the lyrics. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Popular music genres are connected to social and emotional development during the formative years of life. (Baker, F., & Bor, W., 2008). Genres like Rap and Heavy Metal have been blamed for anti-social behaviour and suicide and while empirical research has found a link between certain genres and self injurious ideations, the relationship is mediated by other factors (North, A. C., & Hargreaves, D. J. 2006). Baker, F (2008) Agrees, noting that music preference is suggestive of vulnerability to suicide as opposed to a causal factor. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Emo and Metalcore are evolving youth subcultures which have their roots back in the 80’s from a blend of Punk, Heavy Metal and Goth. What separates Emo and Metalcore is the move away from political disdain and rebellion for authority; to music that is characterised by sentiments of vulnerability and anguish, frequently focused around tragic events ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Definis-Gojanovic, M., Gugic, D., Sutlovic, D., 2009). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">These emotional feelings may be in response to external stimuli or the internalising of external experiences – these are the contributing factors that result may result in DSH and can be split into two groups: <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1) Background factors: Tragic events (war), family characteristics (parental marital discourse, mental health problems, domestic violence and poor communication); poor social networks (isolation); mental illness (such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse); exposure to sexual abuse, neglect, and poor self esteem.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2) Precipitating factors: Crises (arguments with friends, family, partner and verbal, physical or sexual abuse) modelling behaviour on others that have self harmed. ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Williams, D., Padmanabhan, V., 2009)

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is vital that public health experts focus on further epidemiological study and research in relation to DSH, even more essential is the long overdue need for discussion and open communication through schools and communities. In due course, a succinct and efficient way that this can be handled is to treat it in a similar manner as other experiential avoidant-coping mechanisms, like drug and alcohol abuse – by dealing with the feelings being avoided. This would be costly and take more time but potentially extremely effective.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cultural Review:

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Generation-Y’s have grown up during the age of the single parent families, internet, globalisation, environmentalism and 9/11. They are tolerant of philosophy, beliefs and religions of others providing it doesn’t hurt anyone else ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">McCrindle, M.,2003). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">These post-modern youth value open forms of spontaneous communication where they are being talked to (rather than down to) and seek real, raw, relevant and credible information ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Goldgehn, L.A., 2004) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">While previous generations have focused on the individual, Gen-Y are socially driven and seek more than just friendships. They seek community, to be understood, accepted, respected and to be included - be it in the microcosm of family or the macrocosm of facebook and community as a whole. ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">McCrindle, M.,2003). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This combination of community structure that they seek in order to afford their validity of personal agency may be critical when considering models on which to approach proactive DSH management.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">While DSH affects all levels of society, empirical research in Australia during 2005-2006 has confirmed some concerning trends. Firstly, one-third of hospitalisations were for young people (12-24 year olds). Secondly, the female rate was almost consistently twice as high as for males. Thirdly, the rate amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders was twice as high as other Australians. Lastly, young people living in very remote areas had a rate twice as high compared to young people living in major cities. These findings suggest age, gender, culture and geographic demographic may all be significant factors that require further focus. AHIW. Traumatic life situations and low socio economic demogrphics have also been considered significant risk factors with social theory providing support to these suggestions.

<span style="color: #453320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Views and theories by a founder of sociology, Emile Durkheim can be used to analyse DSH. The social structure of humanity was central to his analysis of social problems but while the predisposing factors and effects of DSH were not specifically discussed, comparisons may be drawn from his writings on suicide. Karl Weber takes this a step further by suggesting that the overwhelming structure and functionalism of society may result in dissolving feelings of individual importance. This could give rise to an individual forming an external locus of control which may make predisposing factors to DSH difficult to manage. The current limitations of the Australian health care system is not conducive to the way DSH is handled because of the reactive rather than proactive operation; also lacking is a sense of personalised treatment and compassion due to the public hospital setting. Karl Webers notions of diminished individual attention resulting from capitalism and continuously maximising efficiency underlies this limitation.

<span style="color: #453320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In this modern age and with the escalating incidence of DSH it is pertinent that public health providers exercise cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity and cultural safety when confronted with signs of DSH. The main goal for society is to have enough self awareness to allow for freely flowing communicationson in matters associated with the predisposing factors of DSH. To equip children with the knowledge of what 'negative coping' is as opposed to 'positive coping' and associated strategies could assist not only DSH behaviour but has the potential to give children the mechanisms needed for avoiding drug and alcohol abuse. This could all be done without any mention to the words self harm or suicide.

<span style="color: #453320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Analysis:

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">‘Music should strike fire from the heart of man and bring tears from the eyes of woman.’

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ludwig Van Beethoven

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The ability communicate effectively with young people is a constant issue especially for parents - ‘knowing’ their children and understanding their emotions is frequently a source of particular frustration. The above quote, although devoid of political correctness, suggests the potential of music to result in outpourings of raw human emotions. Emo and Metalcore attempt to illicit such reactions by frequently communicating negative feelings and thoughts surrounding tragic events. A possible reason for the rise of these genres may suggest that it was a positive coping mechanism for dealing with the atrocities of 9/11. The associated themes of murder, suicide, destruction and heartbreak potentially resonated with young people and validated their concerns by giving them words to reference their feelings. The acknowledgement by society of emo/metalcore as a positive coping mechanism at such time of crisies could potentially open communication channels for young people as well as adults and in turn reduce the frequency of avoidance coping mechanisms such DSH and drug abuse. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">There are multiple factors that create discourse and hinder society from taking Emo and Metalcore seriously which can all be appreciated from the chosen artefact.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Themes of <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">suicide, heartache, self harm, death, war and the contrast of love and beauty with hate and violence appear too sinister to warrant appreciation as a form of "popular music"
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The media focuses on the references to satanic ideations and cult-like symbolism, ergo, totally ignoring the discussion and expression of valid feelings that lay interwoven within the tapestry of the genre.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Denial towards the possiblity that the murders, deaths, war and abuse flashed over TV screens every night at 6pm may in fact cause people to feel emotional. Has society been so desensitised by horrific events that people who internalise and feel these negative emotions are now the minority? Is this cultivating ‘otherness’ barriers?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Avoidance coping is common place and the sooner positive coping mechanisms are taught through the school syllabus the better. Until such time, I believe it is beneficial for young people to be encouraged to discuss their feelings that stem from anything that they see, hear or sense because it is this ability to communicate feelings that allows for lifetime self awareness and autonomy. If there is a mechanism through which they can relate, that validates their feelings and gives them the vocabulary to express themselves then even better!


 * If you need to speak to a counsellor, call 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">These suggestions are alternatives to self harm but they are not a solution to the problem:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Choose to put off harming yourself until you've spoken to someone else or waited for 15 minutes (and see if you can extend it for another 15 minutes beyond that, continue to do it again and so on until the feeling passes).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Write in a journal - you might like to use an online journal. Reach Out plans on having the journals up and running soon!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Exercise - Go for a run or walk in the park to use up excess energy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Play video games - This may be a good way to distract yourself and help until the anxiety passes.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Yell or sing at the top of your lungs on your own or to music. You might do this into a pillow if you don't want other people in the house to hear.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Relaxation techniques - Activities like yoga or meditation are often helpful in reducing anxiety.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cry - crying is a healthy and normal way (i.e. not weak or dumb) to express your sadness or frustrations.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Talk to someone - talk with a trusted friends or call a helpline.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Draw or write in red over your body (instead of cutting)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Punching a pillow or punching bag
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Squeeze ice cubes till your fingers go numb
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Eat a chilli, or something really hot
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Have a cold shower
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Put vapour rub or deep heat under your nose (it stings and makes you cry)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Waxing your legs (or getting them waxed)

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Reference List:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Baker, F., & Bor, W. (2008). Can music preference indicate mental health status in young people?. //Australasian Psychiatry//, //16//(4), 284-288 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Chapman, A., Gratz, K., Brown, M., (2006) //Behaviour Research and Therapy 44//(3), 371-394 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Definis-Gojanovic, M., Gugic, D., Sutlovic, D., (2009) Suicide and Emo Youth Subculture – //A Case Analysis 33//(2), 173-175 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Goldgehn, L.A., (2004) //Generation Who, What, Y? What You Need to Know About Generation Y 5//(1)24-34 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Haavisto, A., Sourander, A., Multimäki, P., Parkkola, K., Santalahti, P., Helenius, H., (2005). Factors associated with ideation and acts of deliberate self-harm among 18-year-old boys. //Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 40//(11), 912-912-21 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hawton, K., Harriss, L., (2008) Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviour. //The American Association of Suicidology, 38(6),// 650-659 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Injury among young Australians (AIHW bulletin no.60) (AIHW, 2006) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">North, A. C., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2006). //Problem Music and Self-Harming//. //Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior//, //36//(5), 582-590. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2002 - <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Williams, D., Padmanabhan, V., (2009) //The Foundation Years, 5//(2), 72-74 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Young, R., Sweeting, H., West, P., (2006) //BMJ magazine, 332,// 1058-61 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">McCrindle, M., (2003), //Understanding generation Y.// []

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Hi!Wow - wish they had excursions like that when I was at school!It is extremely leftfield indeed - and out of all the cultures, Muslim!? It would be interesting to see if it had an effect on their attitudes towards the female role compared to their culturally normative view. I actually looked at your wiki because I expected it to discuss sex education in schools (specifically in relation to same sex ed) but totally agree with you that the cultural sensitivity is a prerequisite.Thanks & well done :)Jez || <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">I think I’ve seen that cartoon somewhere before but it’s still funny, and probably Very true! would be interesting to see how many sites there are on the net for dealingwith internet addiction!The info you present and the supporting personal reflections, hit the nail on the head. But I wonder why the South Korea stats are off the Richter!? Is it because they are trigger happy with referring children to doctors!?The questions you pose about what happens if the addiction is added to DSM is spot on and an eye opener! Would be really, really scary to think that it would necessitate treatment with medication! Although I guess it would pump allot of funds into the health care system! I wonder how much revenue South Korea is spending treatment/medication? hmmmmThankyou & Well done || Rachel Hendrick N7301197 Generation Y = NOH8 Really well presented and very informative!
 * || Lauren Byrnen8092133 Sexual Education? ‘Who? What? Where? When?’ What is culturally acceptable?.
 * || Kyle Jay Thompson7477678The Good, The Bad and The Internet

I believe you have used a perfect balance of pathos, logos and ethos and I found it very honest at times and appropriately objective.

I’m not too sure how to feel about this NOH8 campaign. Yes the clip was very emotive, yes the gen-y-esque 'NOH8' is catchy but how much of the population is it really aimed at????
 * Firstly, I’m not sure how many people over 50 or 40 even would connect with the title 'noh8'
 * There didn’t seem like there were many, if any under the age of about 25 (and seems most homosexual people are aware of their preference at a much younger age)
 * I find it somewhat amusing that it tells you that you are not allowed to feel a certain emotion. What if you are someone who has lived the last 50 years being preached to that homosexuality is a sin? or a person that has been abused by a person of the samesex? On the other hand, I feel that it is forgetting about all the other negative emotions aside from hate that cultivate bullying and discrimination (even though it comments on being open minded and stopping discrimination). I truly can't imagine anti- racism movements using 'NOH8' as a campaign.

I feel a more accurate focus is the goal of accepting same sex people and relationships and being 'ok' with it. However, I believe that this is a bigger challenge than race or skin colour because it brings into question human behaviors associated with gender as well as the actual sexual behaviors, which in 2012 is still a great taboo. Thanks & Congrats, Jez.