HOW NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS INFLUENCE TEENAGERS’ VIEW OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN MASS MEDIA?

Abstract. This study investigates the impact of mass media on national identity among teenagers, focusing on topics like self-identity, national identity, and the role of musical instruments. It aims to improve national integrity by understanding the relationship between national identity and mass media, particularly its effect on the youth, who wield significant potential in shaping the future.

Keywords: national identity, mass media, musical instruments, teenagers.

Introduction

This study aims to explore the relationship between mass media and national identity in Kazakhstan, with a focus on adolescents. Recognizing the enduring importance of roots and collective history amid globalization, particularly through music, this research seeks to comprehend the current state of national identity and propose ways to enhance it. Drawing from existing studies indicating the influence of mass media and national musical instruments on identity preservation, the research proposes leveraging the representation of national instruments in popular media to strengthen national identity. Acknowledging concerns about cultural crisis exacerbated by popular media, the study aims to provide insights for policymakers and future researchers to address this issue effectively. Motivated by personal experiences with national musical instruments and their impact on identity, the study explores how integrating national and popular music could offer a solution to cultural challenges posed by globalization.

Literature Review

This review investigates the impact of national musical instruments on the preservation of national identity among teenagers in media. Five research papers were analyzed.

1. Zhang and Su's study explores the integration of national and popular music, highlighting the role of national instruments like the dombra in preserving identity amid globalization.
2. Celasin examines how mass media influences teenagers' self-identity, emphasizing the significant role of television in shaping their perceptions, including their national identity.
3. Wang's research delves into the influence of popular music on collective identity, suggesting that appreciating cultural differences strengthens teenagers' understanding of themselves.
4. Minnery's study, although focused on racialized youth, suggests that early exposure to national music shapes cultural identity, offering potential solutions to identity crises.
5. Goibnazarov's study in Tajikistan demonstrates how musical instruments like the Rabbob preserve cultural identity, emphasizing their role in communicating historical narratives and preventing cultural crises.

Overall, these studies highlight the importance of national musical instruments in shaping teenagers' perceptions of national identity and propose strategies for identity preservation in the face of globalization.Methods Chapter

Methods

The study employed a qualitative research design to explore how national musical instruments influence teenagers' perception of national identity in media. Secondary information was gathered through literature review from various sources like Celasin C. (2013) and Wang J. (2017). Google ^* Scholar was useful for its accessibility and citation information. However, finding precise papers was challenging. Primary data collection involved interviews and focus groups with adolescents, chosen for their relevance to the study's aim. While secondary sources provided comprehensive adjacent topics, primary data filled gaps by offering firsthand evidence. Google ^* Scholar and web searches were effective for secondary sourcing, while interviews and focus groups yielded detailed insights and discussions. Weaknesses included the inability of academic works to provide explicit evidence and the potential bias of respondents from the same high school. Overall, the study's quality depended on the thoroughness of data analysis from primary sources.

Results

The primary research involved interviews and focus groups, revealing diverse opinions on national identity (NI). Data were transcribed, coded, and categorized. Respondents viewed NI as influenced by tradition, history, culture, and national musical instruments, with traditions and history being most important. NI was seen as both diverging and converging people, shaping personalities and sometimes leading to biases. Mass media was noted as using NI for influence, with examples like governments leveraging it to garner support. Factors in NI formation included upbringing, surroundings, and early exposure, with enforcement seen as potentially counterproductive. Mass media, while leveraging NI, could also exacerbate conflicts rather than fostering unity.

Conclusion

The research aimed to explore the relationship between mass media and national identity (NI) in Kazakhstan, understand the current state of NI, and suggest ways to improve it. Secondary research suggested a reciprocal relationship between mass media and NI, with media using NI as a tool for influence. NI in Kazakhstan was found to be influenced by national musical instruments, similar to findings in Tajikistan, but also potentially at risk due to the country's youth. Early exposure to national music was proposed as a solution to strengthen NI in the face of globalization. Overall, NI, shaped by history, tradition, and music, plays a vital role in forming self and collective identity, with national musical instruments serving as influential elements, particularly for youth. To address limitations, future research should broaden its sample beyond a single school and city to encompass diverse perspectives across Kazakhstan.

^*(По требованию Роскомнадзора информируем, что иностранное лицо, владеющее информационными ресурсами Google является нарушителем законодательства Российской Федерации – прим. ред.)