If there is a syndrome at work here, it is a 'troubled youth syndrome,' not music or media syndrome. Researchers say that adolescents who are troubled or at risk in various ways tend to gravitate towards certain types of music, but most music fans are not on drugs, not in jail, failing in school, or even depressed. They remind us to also not lose sight of the sad reality that many kids may be monsters already and simply seek out certain types of music that “resonates with their monstrous inclinations." (K. O’Toole) For example, Mark Branch, a nineteen-year-old from Massachusetts, stabbed a female college student to death and then killed himself. When they searched his room, they found it to contain numerous horror movies and a replica of the machete and goalie mask made famous by _Jason, a_ character in the Friday the 13th film series. (W. Dudley). While watching this movie may not have caused Mr. Branch to commit the violent act, the sadistic feelings that he had within himself may have caused him to watch the movie. In order to prevent violence among teenagers, America’s leaders should stop blaming media violence and should address the real social issues that confront the nation’s youth. Images from movies and words from songs do not cause bloodshed in America. Rage coupled with easy gun access, desperation, revenge, poverty, racial discrimination, and a lack of educational and employment opportunities are the areas that need to be focused on. Annotated Bibliography Media Violence Does Not Cause Teen Violence. (1999). In Scott Barbour OpposingViewpoints Diego: Greenhaven Press. 06 May2008, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS Media Violence Causes Teen Violence. (1999). In Scott Barbour Opposing Viewpoints Digests: Teen Violence ().San Diego: Greenhaven Press. 06 May 2008, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS