Over 12,000 fans screamed in ecstasy this last week as rocker Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, strutted her stuff on stage at the CenturyTel Center outside Shreveport, Louisiana. Most of the fans were little girls between the ages of 6-12. Outside the arena before the concert, thousands of little girls gathered in anticipation as speakers blared their favorite star's biggest hits. Swinging their hips and mouthing the words to the hit, these girls could easily have been years older in their behavior and dress. One anxious fan, still missing her front teeth, lisped to a reporter how she was preparing to “go nuts” when she saw her beloved rock star. Huge earrings and eye shadow were the norm among these small girls. Their entire world had obviously been shaped and molded by the media-created sensation of Hannah Montana. As I watched the news video of the event, I was struck with sadness at what has become of the world of young girls today. The word “tragedy” comes to mind.Faye Weldon wrote a column in London's Times Online this week that describes the impact of the female rock group, the Spice Girls. Even mainstream media columnists are observing that something has gone terribly wrong with girlhood. Ten years ago, the Spice Girl hit, Wannabe, became the best-selling song recorded by females in recording history. Girls were finally unleashed to prove that they could be as vulgar, sexually predatory, and immoral as any of the guys. “Girl power” apparently meant you could toss newborn babies in dumpsters or give birth in toilets and walk away. Abortion on demand (particularly in the UK) is now viewed as a form of birth control. There has been a huge increase in sexually transmitted diseases as girls prove that guys aren't the only ones who can initiate a “hook up.” Binge drinking and alcoholism is at an all time high among girls in the West, proving that females can drink themselves under the table, too. Looking at the countless ruined lives of young women today, it it should be evident that “girl power”, as expressed by the five vulgarian Spice Girls, was a bad idea. Actually, ten years after their peak stardom, the fast-aging five are hitting their Botox vials and preparing to leave their children behind for yet another world tour. There's more money to be made off young girls.
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8 comments:
The world is going to hell in a hand basket it seems. Although, I dunno, are things really much worse than when I was a kid and I wore tube tops to school (1st grade) and sang "Like a Virgin" and "I Want Your Sex" (6th grade) in the backseat of my parents car on the way to dinner?
It's amazing we made it to adulthood with the influences *we* had.
Katie
www.teambettendorf.com
How sad and true.
And who is Hannah Montana, anyway?
My teenage dd says that this is why you see 14 year old girls on Oprah saying they want to have a baby. They don't get to play with baby dolls enough when they're little, and they are really missing that childhood.
Thanks for a great article!!! I know that the TV in our home makes our lives more difficult in so many ways. Even though I am diligent in what my children watch, I know that it makes the world so much closer just by having it in our home. :(
The point isn't "is TV bad" or "is Hannah Montana bad"... the point is, what are we doing to prevent our little girls from falling into becoming slaves (yes, SLAVES) to fashion, pop culture, consumerism, lust, pre-marital sex and a lifestyle of immorality?
We are supposed to be raising them to be slaves to Christ...
Lanelle is on target. The majority of young girls have fallen "slave to fashion, pop culture, consumerism, lust, pre-marital sex and a lifestyle of immorality" because their parents aren't watching. 98% of parents have no idea what they are doing, so they blinding go along with the mainstream and they are afraid to say no. They want to be their children's best friend instead of tackling the difficult job of real parenting. I was one of those parents. And when people stand amazed at what wonderful children I have, I always tell them it isn't anything I did; I was tremendously blessed that you and your sister grew into the beautiful Christian wives and mothers you are. Proof positive that miracles do happen: YOU are my miracles!
I am with Linda, "Who is Hannah Montana ?" We don't have regular tv, our is only for family videos.
But I do agree, that there isn't a distinction in this country anymore that makes men and women different. Young girls are not raised as girls, they are pushed to grow up and compete in the world right along men to show that they are better, stronger, and independant women that don't need anyone. The media encourages them to be thinner, prettier, wear the current fashions, and a life of immorality. They aren't raised to be a man's help meet anymore, that is made to look old fashion.
I have an eleven year old daughter that loves the thought of being a wife, mother and a help meet to her husband someday.
That is just my 2cents.
Jenny
Hannah Montana is a girl who is about 15 years old that has a show in Disney channel and also sings in concert. I have seen several episodes of the show and think it is appropriate for 15 year old girls to watch (Hannah dresses modestly, is a good friend, and friendship is more important than having a date). But what I wonder is why 6-12 year old girls are the ones who are in love with this character when she is supposed to be at least in Junior High? One of the reasons I loved growing up on the mission field (and being home-schooled) and a reason I look forward to doing the same for my children, is that the children are only exposed to what the parent lets them see. As a missionary kid, you typically only play with the toys your parents bought you, since toys aren't readily available to drool over at the store.
My 13 year old sister is still on the mission field with my parents, but I worry about how she will be able to make friends when she gets back to America for furlough. Heidi IS interested in wearing stylish clothes, but she likes to spend her days taking care of the foster babies, cooking, painting, and taking artistic pictures. I can't imagine her being able to find many girls, even from our church, that will be remotely interested in what she likes.
I definitely think it is the parents that are facilitating the demise of little-girlhood. They let their daughters watch as much TV as they want. buy them the music, clothes, dolls (slut dolls with tons of makeup permanently painted on) and don't even try to guide or direct their tastes.
Thankfully there are a few moms that have noticed this and are raising their daughters in a much better way...
-Melodie
www.xanga.com/Africaz_Melodie
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