Seems that Miley Cyrus, aka 'Hannah Montana', is running off the same cliff as her teen hero Brittney Spears did a few years ago. At the Teen Choice Awards earlier this week she shattered her popular image as a wholesome teen and instead dressed seductively and danced around a pole. All this at 16 years of age.
Having a 14 year old daughter I used to feel great about the fun loving role model she saw in Miley, watching the Disney show Hannah Montana. Now I'm concerned about this new role model who appears to be considerably less than wholesome. While it is easy to point fingers at Miley for this indiscretion, one must also take a hard look at the commercialization and marketing of sex to teens. Sex sells, and it seems that the marketing folks behind Miley's image felt the need to ratchet it up a notch or two with her recent performance.
Working with a mentoring program it is frustrating to have to battle these kinds of sexualized images of teens, and pre-teens as we encourage healthy development. Other than an annual spelling bee, academically gifted kids are rarely, if ever, highlighted in the media. Is it any wonder that schools are having to stuggle with dress code policies even for their youngest students?
There is more on this story in the LA Times.
Here's hoping Miley spends more time developing 'Hannah Montana' as a fun loving maturing teen, and quickly gets off of that dangerous Brittney track.
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