Country Music really does make you kill yourself

[c-ba55]

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=95183303

This article assesses the link between country music and metropolitan suicide rates. Country music is hypothesized to nurture a suicidal mood through its concerns with problems common in the suicidal population, such as marital discord, alcohol abuse, and alienation from work. The results of a multiple regression analysis of 49 metropolitan areas show that the greater the airtime devoted to country music, the greater the white suicide rate. The effect is independent of divorce, southernness, poverty, and gun availability. The existence of a country music subculture is thought to reinforce the link between country music and suicide. Our model explains 51% of the variance in urban white suicide rates.

Sociological work on the relationship between art and society has been largely restricted to speculative, sociohistorical theories that are often mutually opposed. Some theorists see art as creating social structure ( Adorno 1973), while Sorokin ( 1937 ) suggests that society and art are manifested in cyclical autonomous spheres; and still others contend that art is a reflection of social structure ( Albrecht 1954). Little empirical work has been done on the impact of music on social problems. While some research has linked music to criminal behavior ( Singer, Levine & Jou 1990), the relationship between music and suicide remains largely unexplored. Music is not mentioned in reviews of the literature on suicide ( Lester 1983; Stack 1982, 1990b); instead, the impact of art on suicide has been largely restricted to analyses of television movies and soap operas (for a review, see Stack 1990b).

In this article, we explore the link between a particular form of popular music (country music) and metropolitan suicide rates. We contend that the themes found in country music foster a suicidal mood among people already at risk of suicide and that it is thereby associated with a high suicide rate. The effect is buttressed by the country subculture and a link between this subculture and a racial status related to an increased suicide risk.

[charles21o7]

Oh yeah, I remember the last time Toby Keith's "I wanna talk about me" made me depressed, barely survived that one.

[lbanks]

OH LORD!! I've become a murderer by Proxy!

[Adam Barkley]

Screw that article, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams both rock my socks.

[Aaron]

Think Tipper Gore is going to try to ban country music or at least put labels that read, "Warning: Compact Disc contains Country Music?"

All the article really says is that there is a correlation, which really doesn't mean anything until cause and effect are found. People that wear hats get skin cancer more often than those who don't. Do hats cause skin cancer?

[Mel Monihan]

Hahahaha!!! I wanna bear your children!

A special thanks to Flip Wilson. Rest in peace my man.

[P. Aaron]

Originally Posted by abark000

Screw that article, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams both rock my socks.

yeaah!

[c-ba55]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Think Tipper Gore is going to try to ban country music or at least put labels that read, "Warning: Compact Disc contains Country Music?"

All the article really says is that there is a correlation, which really doesn't mean anything until cause and effect are found. People that wear hats get skin cancer more often than those who don't. Do hats cause skin cancer?

That's all the abstract says. The article offers more.

[Matt Till]

Nah, it just makes me want to put a boot in the asses of other countries.

[Alexander]

[quote=c-ba55

Sociological work on the relationship between art and society has been largely restricted to speculative, sociohistorical theories that are often mutually opposed. [/QUOTE]

I think this sums up the entire thing...

[Against Will]

Country music: Emo w/ a cowboy hat.

[Adam Barkley]

Originally Posted by Against Will

Country music: Emo w/ a cowboy hat.

Funny, but wrong.

Cash was the OG; songs about drugs, killing, Jesus, loss, love, etc. He pretty much covered the entire spectrum of types of simple, radio-friendly songs (some not so radio-friendly). If you haven't given him a good listen, I urge you to spend ten bucks, get a greatest hits collection and listen to it with an open mind. No flashy bass work, but solid, dynamic songs that still stand the test of time.

The emo I have heard has been about one thing; loss or sadness.

[c-ba55]

[quote=Alexander]

Originally Posted by c-ba55

Sociological work on the relationship between art and society has been largely restricted to speculative, sociohistorical theories that are often mutually opposed. [/QUOTE

I think this sums up the entire thing...

Yes see, they are contrasting previous less valid approaches with their current more scientific approach.

[Eric Cameron]

Originally Posted by abark000

Cash was the OG; songs about drugs, killing, Jesus, loss, love, etc. He pretty much covered the entire spectrum of types of simple, radio-friendly songs (some not so radio-friendly).

Plus he covered NIN.

He was a great musician. Even though I don't like country music (too much twang) I can appreciate the talent inherent in SOME coutry musicians. Not all of them, by any means, but some are very good. Earl Scruggs, for instance. Man, now THAT'S chicken pickin'!!

Rock on
Eric

[charles21o7]

Johnny Cash was the Neil Young of country- KICK ASS!!

The only good modern country artist is Dwight Yokam- Cool Guitar work in most of his songs, and his howling vocals send chills down my spine.