Young people's topography of musical functions: Personal, social and cultural experiences with music across genders and six societies

Objectives

Music is used by all people, but all people and cultures use it differently. This study looks at how people use music in daily life.

Specifically, the study looks at the influence of gender and cultural background on how and why music is used in daily life across six cultural samples (Germany, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, and Turkey).

Outcomes

The findings of this research indicate that:

The function of music can be split into two categories. First, music can be used for contemplation or emotional functions. Second, music can serve intrapersonal, social, and sociocultural functions
Gender differences can be seen in the affective function of music. Female listeners use music more for emotional expression, dancing, and cultural identity
Slight country differences can be seen in the social functions (values, social bonding, dancing). These differences are strongest in the sociocultural function (cultural identity, family bonding, political attitudes)
Listeners from more collectivistic cultures use music more frequently for expressing values and cultural identity
Listeners from more secular and individualistic cultures like to dance more.
Listeners from more traditional cultures use music more for expressing values and cultural identity, and they bond more frequently with their families over music.
The two dimensions of musical functions seem to be influenced by listeners’ gender and cultural background.

You can access the article "Young people's topography of musical functions: Personal, social and cultural experiences with music across genders and six societies" here.