Music And Identity

Music and Identity

In this report, I will expand upon what was spoken in the presentation by providing a more in-depth look at each section I talked about. The presentation was divided into six sections:

i) What do we mean by identity?

ii) Identity in previous historical periods

iii) Identity in contemporary culture

iv) How the media constructs our identities

v) A case study; MTV and the music video

vi) Conclusion

What do we mean by identity?

Identity refers to the way people see themselves--the groups they feel a part of, the significant aspects of themselves that they use to describe themselves to others. Some theorists distinguish between collective identity, social identity, and personal identity. However, they are all related in one way or another to a description of who one is, and how one fits into one's social groups and society over all.

A group may be associated with a particular type of music, and a member of this group may use his or her interest in this group to partly define his or her identity.

For example, Goths have a very distinctive image which is closely related to the music they listen to. They would say that their musical interest shapes their visual identity. There may be other forms of identity aside from visual. A behavioural change may be apparent in many people who choose to adapt their identity to suit a musical genre. For example, some young people into rap music may adopt the vernacular put into the mainstream media by their favourite artist.

Identity in previous historical periods

Previous to the mid-20th century, identities were seen as fixed roles in society and were made up of a "traditional system of myths which provided orientation and religious sanctions to define one's place in the world." For example, the woman's place in the home, the man who worked to get food onto the table etc. Identities were also seen as more collective, and a function of a group or tribe. Nowadays there is a slant towards finding your own individual identity, whether it be through clothing, social groups, music, body language or other forms of expression.

Identity in contemporary culture

In recent years, identity has been open to discussion and reflection. One's identity has now been subject to change. There are still major cultural categories of identity, for example:

* Mother

* Father

* A teacher

* A student

* A Protestant

Identities however, are still fixed, though the boundaries of identities are ever expanding - though the difference is that they are not pre-defined. We can more than ever choose our own identities.

Many theorists see Identity as something that is solid and unchanging - something that is true to your inner-self. Others argue that your identity is something that is constantly changing and adapting, and something that requires commitment and action to sustain. Problems that occur with finding an identity lie in that people seek to be accepted into that new identity and be validated by others.

Many young people seek to use music to help themselves be more accepted in the world, so that they can be easily categorisable in the mainstream. Many girls of ages 9 - 13 may have an interest in a popular 'boy band' of the time. This is an example of how, though a girl's identity could be partly influenced by such a band, ultimately, their music and appeal is limited in scope because after four or five years the band is likely to have split up. The media promotes