The "empty nest" period of life is mythologized and misunderstood. Attributes of the postparental period, normative and pathological responses, and implications for counselors are explored.

In a survey of rock music preferences and views on themes about homicide, satanism, and suicide (HSS), 694 middle and high school students were administered a questionnaire of structured and open-ended questions. Nine percent of the middle school students, 17 percent of the rural and 24 percent of the urban high school students were HSS rock fans. Three-fourths of these fans were males and nearly all were white. HSS fans more often claimed to know all the lyrics of their favorite songs than the non-HSS rock fans. HSS fans more often said young children should be permitted to listen to rock music with destructive themes and fewer of them believed that adolscents might commit murder or suicide after having listened to such songs. A large proportion of the students share the concern of adult citizens and professional groups about destructive lyrics in rock music and their effects.

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