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My children are too young to have seen Hanna Montana…in fact I’ve never seen an episode myself. Frankly, I don’t really care what Miley Cyrus does. She doesn’t have anything to do with my life. But, as progressive of a parent and person I think I am, I found her performance at the MTV VMA’s hard to watch. It made me uncomfortable. Was it because she was once a pre-teen icon? No. That’s not it. No matter her age or her history, she looked like a porn star not a performer (and Robin Thicke getting a free pass on this is for another post). But, what does it have to do with how our children should view her latest antics? Well, Melissa Chapman of The Staten Island Family site shares with us a great perspective on the situation.
By: Melissa Chapman
Miley Cyrus is hell-bent on making one thing perfectly clear- she is NOT HANNAH MONTANA. In fact, she is doing everything in her power short of starring in a TRIPLE X porno flick to let everyone and their mother know that SHE. IS. A Full-fledged adult. She has shaken off that saccharine sweet Disnified image – long, flowing highlighted curls sheared off – replaced by a shock of platinum blonde short hair, and yes, the girl has gotten inked and loves to dress as scantily as possible. But guess what? When she was that sweet, virginal country girl on Hannah Montana, I made it a point to make sure my kids knew she was just playing a part. And this tough rocker type of chick, who sings about getting laid and stoned– this too is a part. None of us knows who the real Ms. Cyrus is behind closed doors, and all her gyrations on stage at the VMA’s last night only prove that she is simply heavily ensconced in promoting her latest part.
The point is – what Miley does or doesn’t do should have absolutely no bearing on what YOUR KIDS DO. They should never look to a celebrity, singer or athlete for inspiration, validation or leadership. They are not in the business of educating and empowering anyone other than their already bulging bank accounts. These people are in a business to make money. And while I am all for my kids’ loving a certain song, sport or fashion and being inspired by pop culture when it comes to their personal aesthetic ( although I pray that aesthetic will not include getting inked), I am the first to remind them that for real inspiration THESE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE THEY SHOULD ASPIRE TO BE. I am the first to suggest alternative role models- like family, friends and community activists who – while they might not get center stage to gyrate or twerk at The Barclay’s Center – are the people from whom they can glean all sorts of great ideas and knowledge.
Parents–Let Billy Ray worry about his daughter Miley– and you – well you can worry about YOUR kids.
Melissa Chapman blogs about her marriage and everything in between at Married my sugar daddy and The Staten Island Family. Her work has appeared in Lifetime Moms, The Staten Island Advance, ABC News, BlogHer, Momtourage, Babble, The Washington Post,The Huffington Post, Time Out NY Kids & iVillage.
Other articles by Melissa:
Tell me my husband is not the only one who notices…
Happy Jewish New Year; Resolutions and Family Fun