Latest Survey Results: Music Survey Summary

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Report on Music Survey

Smart girls decide for themselves™.

During the month of June SmartGirl asked you to tell us about music, including your tastes in music, if your dream job involved music, and what format you listen to your music on. 476 people responded to the survey. Of those that responded, the average age was 13 and 98% were girls and 2% were boys. 304 people were from the USA, 56 from teh United Kingdom, 36 from Canada, 16 from Australia, and others from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bulgaria, Estonia, India, Iran, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, N. Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad, Venezuela, Wales, Argentina, Croatia, Pakistan, South Africa.

SmartGirl asked, "What type of format do you listen to music on?"

Out of the 30 SmartGirls that responded that they listen to music on other formats, about half said that they listen to music on television (i.e. MTV).

SmartGirl asked, "What type of music-related activities do you participate in?"

24 of the 80 SmartGirls that responded that they have other musical talents or hobbies, replied that they play instruments at home.

SmartGirl asked, "What type of music do you listen to?"

85 SmartGirls responded that they listen to other types of music other than the ones listed. These other types of music that SmartGirls listen to included:

Techno (6)

Punk, Thrash, Ska (19)

Comedy Recordings (1)

80's (6)

Dance/Trance (6)

Emo (emotional hardcore) (2)

Cultural/World Beat (8)

Inspirational (1)

Metal (11)

Christian (12)

Garage (3)

Folk (3)

Indie Rock (1)

Goth (1)

Soul (1)

Classic Rock (1)

Soft Rock (2)

Instrumental (1)

SmartGirl asked, "Does your dream job involve music?"

The following jobs were represented by the 184 SmartGirls that said their dream job involved music.

	count	percent
dreamjob	count	percent
Singer/Rapper	116	65.91
Musical Theater	15	8.52
Composer	1	0.57
Dancer/Choreographer	10	5.68
Choir Director	1	0.57
Musician	11	6.25
Songwriter	4	2.27
Music Teacher	9	5.11
Band Manager	2	1.14
DJ	1	0.57
Not Sure	2	1.14
Music Journalist	2	1.14
Groupie	1	0.57
Record Company Executive	1	0.57

SmartGirl asked, "Do you find that music helps you get through tough times (when you're sad, angry, etc.)?"

SmartGirl asked SmartGirls to, "Describe a time where music did help you through a tough time."

	count	percent
feelmusictext	count	percent
Parents Divorse	11	3.44
Depressed/Anxious	70	21.88
Apart from Friends/Family	17	5.31
After an Argument	38	11.88
Never	13	4.06
Illness	8	2.5
Stressed Out	18	5.63
Death	29	9.06
Break Up with Boy/Girlfriend	40	12.5
Mad	38	11.88
Bad Day	12	3.75
Embarassing Moment	2	0.63
Rape/Abuse	3	0.94
Everything	8	2.5
While Studying	3	0.94
Cleaning	1	0.31
To Relax	7	2.19
Puberty	1	0.31
Being Bullied	1	0.31

SmartGirl asked, "Are musicians good role models? Why or why not?"

Most SmartGirls replied that it really depended on who the musician was to whether or not a musician would be a good role model. However, other SmartGirls said that musicians are role models because they are encouraging and help them realize their own musical dreams.

Other SmartGirls had this to say:

Well, it depends, musicians that are told what to do all the time (ex. Britney Spears) aren't good role models because they aren't really themselves, but those artists out there who are unique and flashy and promote good things are good role models. – 15

They are good role models because they teach you that music is good for the soul and that it is very fun and exciting. - 12

I think so because you can just look up to most of them through tough times and they are successful people so they can help other people believe in their self and give them confidence to do better in life. – 11

Providing they conduct themselves in a good manner, I don't see why they can't be good role models. So many of them have done wonderful thinks for society. The Justin Timberlake Foundation is just one example of how musicians have given back to the community. - 17

Because everyday they get up and they go out and make people happy. They make themselves do it because they love it and everyone loves them. No matter how they feel on a given day they will do shows. They will travel around for months at a time away from home and family. Because they follow their dreams. – 14

I really would like to have said, "Some musicians are good role models." I realize that many have chosen the wrong lifestyle (drugs, promiscuity, etc.) However, That’s not the norm, that's just what we see on MTV. Most musicians are poets and artists and are trying to get their feelings out into the world to share with others who may be having similar feelings... - 18

Many of the modern superstars are really just super trashy. For example, Britney Spears is totally molding to that stereotypical image of the ideal girl, you know, big breasts, small brain. To be a real role model you need to be genuine and have new ideas. – 14

Musicians are just people that have a talent, they shouldn't be expected to be role models. The only people that should be expected of are parents. – 16

Because musicians have enough guts to get up in front of the world and express there true feelings may it be through writing songs, playing instruments or singing other peoples lyrics that they believe our true. - 16

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!

Please remember that all web-based polls are not scientific because the pollsters cannot randomly select the respondents to participate in the surveys.