Miley. What Happens When Your Child’s Role Model Turns Wild?
Another celeb goes from child role model to oversexed and under dressed. The MTV awards left little to be desired with Miley Cyrus baring loads of skin and twerking her way into our minds, on a married man nonetheless. Previously Hannah Montana, who I miss dearly, has become a sexually charged singer. While artists must be free to express themselves, our children are left witnessing the downward spiral. Is this what we want?
As other young stars Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez kept their red carpet ensembles classy, with more coverage, and some carefully placed but exposed skin: What do we do? News outlets were talking about how strange it was that such young stars were dressed as reserved adults. Don’t worry they kept it classy by dropping “f-bombs” and getting caught in the act.
Sex, Obscenity, and Drama.
Twitter was exploding with cries for Miley’s parents to step in, “Where are Miley’s Parents?!” Is our society finally crying for the family values we desperately need pop culture to see the benefit of?
How do you protect your family? Do you limit TV time? Monitor your child’s internet usage? Do you talk with your child about stars and their image? If not it may be time to take a moment with them. Our little ones are always taking in the world around them. And when something or someone that was familiar changes into something that looks very different it can be confusing.
Take a moment each week and check in to see who your little one is admiring. Ask them what it is they like about the person, without judgments. Use this time to talk about how style and interests are connected. And maybe have a few conversations about the balance between expression and dignity. Images like Miley twerking can lead to many responses: shock, awe, and even admiration.
Catch Will and Jada’s family response to Miley. It sums up mine exactly.
Let me know yours on twitter…