A Town Divided - Why is Music Controversial?

It was a real life story of Footloose on Saturday night, when the Middletown High School administration stopped a homecoming dance early after students protested a policy that prohibits sexually explicit dancing, often referred to as grinding.  

Students claimed the DJ would not allow requests, and only played alternative music; a genre that most students said they did not like or know how to dance to.  

After failed attempts to request their favorite music, such as Nicki Minaj, the majority of the student body sat on the floor and chanted in protest.  Some students even reported a near riot broke out.  The school administration denied that a riot took place.

The administration stopped the dance an hour and a half early and sent the students home.  

When it comes to music and dance, generational resistance, as well as passionate teenage rebellion, is nothing new.

In the 1980s, breakdancing was prohibited by many schools as it was often tied to gangs as well as considered physically dangerous.  In the 1950s, teenagers hid rock-and-roll records under their beds, since many adults believed the genre manipulated the innocent youth or that rock-and-rollers were deviants.  

Mozart and Beethoven were regarded as dangerous and sometimes even sexually perverse; the "major chord" system was offensive to many Christians.

Many mainstream dances in other cultures, would be considered sexually explicit and inappropriate at an American high school dance.  

Music and dance stir emotion, create controversy and often provoke rebellion.

Since the 1970s, punk and hard-rock shows have been known for riots and aggressive behavior, which often require the use law enforcement to tame.

This past weekend, the choice between songs, divided a town. Why is music controversial?

Think back, what was type of music controversial when you went to high school? What do you think it is about music that often divides generations?