Pamela, I'm the OP for this thread. You raise good points. It's never suggested that all emos cut. It's certainly also true that not all "cutters" are emo. My original premise is that the messages of emo tend to be associated with the increase in cutting that myself and many of my colleagues have observed. Consider it a risk factor. Have you ever been around a large number of negative people for an extended period of time? Ever notice that if you're not paying attention, that the negative people can bring you down? I think most of us have. Consider the reverse as well. Cheerful and happy people can build us up! Even better, ever go to a good, spirit filled, worship service? You feel fantastic when you leave! Of course, the Lord is always able to lift us up! My point is that the people, media, messages, ideas that we allow ourselves to be exposed to can change our thinking. It doesn't strike as a lightning bolt, but it tends to be subtle and steady. It's not like you listen to one My Chemical Romance song and you turn into a "wrist cutting zombie." People can be subtly influenced without their knowledge. It's frankly the basis of advertising, brainwashing, and propaganda! We know it well. When we are aware of this possibility, we can take steps to avoid it. The key is to make choices about what you expose your self to. I know that's sometimes impossible, but even being aware of the possible effects of negative messages and thinking can keep negative influences at bay. I always tell the teens in my program to "watch what you put into your brains." I believe that emo music and "culture." Promote self injury, and a large number, but certainly not all people that listen to it, self injure. This takes me back to my teen years. I used to go to "under 21" dances at a local club. Every time, the DJ would play about a half hour of heavy metal. Without exception, there would be a fight when that music played! I'm not joking! Every single time! We'd have all eyes on the dance floor at the first note of a Motley Crue song! It was the big joke at these dances. Ironically, I thought much as you did at the time. I was really into heavy metal and I didn't get violent, nor did most of my friends. I really understand when you say that most self identified "emo" kids refute any link between the music and self injury. Just like myself and my friends refused to see links between heavy metal and violence, even though it erupted in front of us on a weekly basis. Most fans of "gansta" rap also refuse to acknowledge any links between their music and crime or violence, even thought this link is very well accepted. Hope this contributes to the discussion. By the way, self injury may or may not be a sin. I'm a therapist, not a theologian. If it is, the Lord will forgive. He always does, and he will always love you.
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