Why I Thank Miley Cyrus Everyday

posted May 12, 2008 - 11:57pm

Why I Thank Miley Cyrus Everyday

Since the Vanity Fair pictures of Miley were published, I thank her everyday for the relevant opportunity this gives me to talk to my teenage daughter about "sexiness".

Before the photos, I would give general lectures to my daughter on why she would never wear jeans that say "juicy" on the butt or tank tops with straps so thin that her bra straps would stand out. I would also go on and on about short shorts, cleavage-revealing tops and the dreaded belly-showing shirts. Although I don't buy these types of clothes for my girl, hey, I'm not with her all day when she's in school and I'm not stupid either...if she wanted to wear this stuff she would find a way.

After the photos were revealed, I was shocked to discover my daughter and her friends said they were creeped out by them. I thought that the Miley photos would be one more lecture to add to my arsenal about why young women shouldn't be judged for their looks. Instead, my daughter told me that she didn't think it was fair that Zac Efron just published photos of himself in a very grown-up suit and tie, looking all business.

Big, long sigh from me. Could she really be listening to my diatribes? Maybe not for the rest of her high school days, but if we can just get through Freshman year...

Author: Mia Northwest

Comments

Because Calling It 'Art' Robs It of Media-Pull

mythman - Sat, 2008-31-5 10:33 pm

Disagree? Join Here, Be Heard!

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The Parents Were Thinking, "I Get the Money? Cool!"

mythman - Sat, 2008-31-5 9:13 pm

There is no requirement of 'honorability' if you're givin` out money! Disagree? Join Here, Be Heard!

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Inappropriate but also just bad photography

lisadee - Sat, 2008-31-5 6:40 pm

I understand what everyone is saying about "sexy" being pushed on young children. I do agree that it is inappropriate. For my generation it was the photos (and movies) of Brook Shields that caused this controversy. What I don't understand is that no one has pointed out that these photos actually suck, that the photography did a craptacular job with them. They are not artistic in any sense. This is a very common pose used by many photographers for a "she's naked but she's not" photoshoot. No special lighting or coloring (the b&w version of these styles seem to me to be more artistic just because of lighting), nothing spectacular about them at all.

I agree with Mom!

L Wagen - Sat, 2008-31-5 3:13 pm

Yes, I do think little kids are growing up too fast due to the media. I have to agree with Mom. When I was substitute teaching junior high, and high school the students would "break" the dress code, all the time. Of course, once they graduated, they would believe that it was all right to show up at work looking like they spent the day at the beach!

Grown up

Idlewild - Sat, 2008-31-5 12:11 pm

"Instead, my daughter told me that she didn't think it was fair that Zac Efron just published photos of himself in a very grown-up suit and tie, looking all business." I don't understand why it's unfair that Efron would wear a suit. "Grown-up" as in wearing adult business clothing is totally different from "grown-up" in the sense of a teen wearing skimpy clothing. If Cyrus had worn a women's business suit or dress--the female equivalent of what Efron supposedly did-- that wouldn't be controversial at all. If Efron was 15 years old and posed in just his briefs, that might be more controversial, and would more comparable to Miley's pics.