How people see authority figures relies heavily on the media they use.

It is true that, in some cases, the police and the government are corrupt, but that doesn’t give teenagers, people who are still very new to the world, the right to say that all authority figures are corrupt and only out to hurt people.

Music is the biggest influence in this realm. Popular acts in all genres often attack or criticize authority figures. Popular rappers, for example, are always saying, “[Blank] the police!” For an audience that includes kids who don’t do well with being told what to do, these words are everything. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “God, my parents are so awful” and “the police can’t do anything; they can’t get me.”

Fast-paced music all about smoking weed, getting girls, and saying that no one can touch you creates an “invincible” aura that impressionable, rebellious, teenagers who are just looking for someone to take our angst out on, eat up. These songs and videos point to parents, teachers, and police as oppressive forces. Trust me, this is not a good group of people to anger. The fact that music can have so much of an impact that kids have stopped respecting those we need the most is worrisome.

As someone who depends on music to do pretty much anything, I know that our generation is addicted to music, but artists, especially the most popular ones, are sending negative messages. You would think that the people making the music would know how powerful they are and try to influence the public in a good way, but they keep rapping and singing about having tons of money and fighting authority. Kids, all too often, listen and think success is going to magically happen for them with no effort and no respect for the people above them.

Justin Bieber is someone who shows this not only in music but also in his actions outside the studio. He has egged people’s houses, had a friend take the rap for having drugs, and closed down a road to drag race, drunk. He has millions of fans and girls and boys in late childhood and early teens look up to him, but he continues to make meaningless songs about getting girls and fighting against people who know better than he does. Music should inspire you, this is true, but it should not inspire you to disrespect others, especially those “authority” figures who you may need one day. Don’t do stupid things because you think you’re invincible.