Influences of Neoliberal Rationality on Brazilian Music Therapists’ Listening

Abstract

Our society finds itself immersed in a neoliberal rationality, suffering from its influence, and altering the forms of being and interacting with the world. The objective of this research was to understand whether this rationality has influence on the listening of Brazilian music therapists. In this study, of an exploratory nature, from a qualitative perspective, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with Brazilian music therapists with the aim of understanding how these professionals comprehend the theme of music therapeutic listening and neoliberalism as a political, economic, and social model. From these interviews, it was noticed that the listening of music therapists is turned toward the filling out of assessment charts and the current moment of the session, paying attention to sound and music issues and the current condition of the person being assisted. Regarding the relationship between music therapy and the theme of neoliberalism, some influences of this rationality were analyzed in theway the participantsunderstand and interact with each other, reflecting on the profession and in its workspaces. The interviews with the music therapists revealed that neoliberalism rationality has an impact on the listening of these professionals, insofar as it modifies the subjectivities and the form of interpersonal relationships of all people within society.

Editorial Comment

This research article brings forth and names circumstances that are all too familiar for those of us who grew up in the so-called third world but have been conveniently erased from conversations and the way we think about identities and relationships in music therapy contexts in other latitudes of the world. What do political views have to do with the way we provide care and care for one another? How is this a part of music therapists’thinking?The authors connect these dots clearly and highlight listeningas an ethical and political attitude that behooves all music therapists caring for othersto adopt.