Aggressors or victims: Gender and race in music video violence

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Author:

Rich, Michael; Woods, Elizabeth R.; Goodman, Elizabeth; Emans, S. Jean; DuRant, Robert H.

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Year:

1998

Article Title:

Aggressors or victims: Gender and race in music video violence

Journal:

Pediatrics

Volume:

101

Edition:

4 (Part 1)

Issue:

101

Pages:

669-674

ISBN/ISSN:

1120-7507

Source of Funding:

Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Tobacco Control Program; Project #MCJ-MA 259195 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services.

Study Design:

Content Analysis

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Age Group:

URL:

Abstract:

Objective: To determine gender or racial differences of victims and aggressors in music videos

Design: Content analysis.

Subjects and Setting: 550 music videos recorded from major networks (BET, CMT, MTV, VH-1) over 4 week period. Recorded during high adolescent viewing times. 515 videos analyzed (duplications eliminated) - BET (n=182), CMT (n=101), MTV (n=152), VH-1 (n=83). Smaller sample sizes for gender-/race-specific results due to difficulty identifying gender and race of victims/aggressors in all videos; racial analysis restricted to black and white comparisons.

Intervention(s): N/A

Outcome Measures: Differences in gender and racial background of music video victims and aggressors of violent acts

Results: Male gender significantly associated with aggression (78.1% male, 46.3% female, p < .0001). Among whites, significantly more males portrayed as aggressors, and more females as victims (p < .0001). Whites more likely to be aggressors and victims in overt violent acts (p < .0079). Significantly fewer black males portrayed as aggressors, while more portrayed as victims (p < .0001). Black males most likely group to be portrayed as victims of violence (adjusted odds ratio=28.16, 95%, CI=8.19, 84.94)

Conclusions: False stereotypes of aggressive black males and victimized white females may be reinforced by music videos. Attitudes of adolescents watching these videos may be negatively affected, particularly in regard to male-female relationships, race, and/or conflict resolution.

Keywords:

Aggression (Media Content)
Demographics (Media Content)
Gender Differences
Gender Roles (Media Content)
Music Videos
Popular Culture
Popular Music
Public Health
Racial Differences
Rap Music
Rock Music
Role Models
Stereotypes (Media Content)
Television
Victims (Media Content)
Violence