Those born in the 1990s are referred to as being part of the same generation as those born in the 2000s - "millennials." I think I would have to disagree. While generations may have been separated by timeframes in the past, that is not an accurate way to go about generational groups now.
The part of this that makes me the most skeptical is the difference in music. I was born in the 90s. Growing up, I listened to N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Dream, Play and Aaron Carter. Now, children are listening to Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and Tyga.
The messages of the songs my friends and I used to listen to were based on self-confidence (“Lucky” by Brittany Spears, “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child) and the timid boy who has a crush (“It Happens Every Time” by Dream Street).
Now, children are listening to songs about drugs, sex, violence, illegal activity and behaviors that are not appropriate for people under the age of 16. Even the artists who were once deemed appropriate for children by being given the golden title of "Disney Chanel Star" have recently churned out some racy lyrics (“Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato, “Chains” by Nick Jonas).
My question is: If these young ones are listening to this kind of music now, what will they escalate to when they’re older? Also, do they even understand the lyrics that they’re singing? There is no definite answer to the latter, but it is worth thinking about. By exposing children to the words of such inappropriate songs, what are we doing to their innocence?
Of course we had Eminem and Usher and plenty of artists who produced songs we shouldn’t have been listening to. But, there was a much wider and more available variety of songs that were appropriate for kids.
I love being able to sit and listen to throwbacks like every Spice Girls song, “Us Against the World” by Play, “That’s How I Beat Shaq” by Aaron Carter and so many more.
It is safe to say that music has definitely changed over the past few decades. That is not to say the music industry has taken a downfall though, because we have some amazing new artists, genres and ways of melodic expression. It is, however, a clear sign of a distinction between age groupings.
The change in music taste and style is just one sign that separates generations, and it is something worth exploring the effects of.
