Abstracts Category : Other

Heavy Metal under Scrutiny: The Controversial Battle for the Protection of Americas Youth

by Chrysanthi Papazoglou

Since its emergence, heavy metal music met with serious opposition. Accused of promoting violence, suicide, drug abuse and distorted images of sex, heavy metal artists were considered a threat to the well-being of Americas youth. These accusations were major arguments in the 1980s religious conservatives crusade to establish family values. Trying to raise parents awareness of the musics alleged catastrophic effects, these conservatives campaigned to restrain or eliminate heavy metal music. In 1985, the then newly-formed Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) condemned several artists for advocating violence and substance abuse and for their predilection of the occult in their songs lyrics. PMRC created an agenda that was later used in court cases against heavy metal artists.Advisors/Committee Members: Bilt, Eduard van de (advisor), Polak, Sara Anne (advisor).