Where do our music preferences come from? Family influences on music across childhood, adolescence and early adulthood

Abstract

While much is known about the influence of peers and parents in developing musical memories and preferences, the wider family context has not yet been considered. We present novel empirical evidence from surveys (N = 100) with young adults and interviews (N = 15) and surveys (N = 24) with young adults and their influencers, which sheds light on how family dynamics influence the development of music listening, habits and preferences. Close family relationships were associated with more shared musical experiences, positive musical memories and greater tolerance for different musical styles, with little evidence for conflict between parents and adolescents. Many memorable experiences in early adolescence were shared with parents, and parents’ own preferences were passed on. Other family members also played important roles, sometimes substituting for parents, and friends were also influential as surrogate siblings. Family in a broader sense thus influences enculturation and provides a supportive shared context for musical development.