Jared W. Smith

The results of a study conducted over the last few years were released today, suggesting that young people who listen to songs with lots of sexually explicit lyrics begin sexual activity earlier in life.

Teens whose iPods are full of music with raunchy, sexual lyrics start having sex sooner than those who prefer other songs, a study found.

Whether it’s hip-hop, rap, pop or rock, much of popular music aimed at teens contains sexual overtones. Its influence on their behavior appears to depend on how the sex is portrayed, researchers found.

I’m just not sure it’s entirely the music that’s causing this. What about parents who screen and require their approval of the music their kids listen to? Chances are if that’s happening, there’s also a pretty good bet that they’re fairly well sheltered in other ways, undoubtedly in the types of relationships their children have as well…and vice versa.

Music is a very easy target for things like this, and while there are most definitely some unbelievably raunchy songs out there, I just refuse to believe that the music is the sole reason for behavior like this.