When I was in high school, Britney Spears’ video “…Baby One More Time,” showing her dancing in a partial Catholic school girl uniform was released. Being Catholic, I was very excited. Prior to this, Spears had been with Disney, bringing her a large following of kids.
A few years later Spears embarked on her Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004 where she drew much criticism for the costumes and choreography not being appropriate for the children who attended. This, however, being five years after “…Baby One More Time” was released cannot be blamed on Spears. After all, the then 22-year-old artist crossed the line into a more adult type of entertainment in 1999. That the parents of the children who liked her didn’t take not of this very clear message is not her fault. If anything, one can argue that she did everything she could to say, ‘hey, don’t bring your kids around here.’
The same happened with Miley Cyrus when she was 15.
Miley Cyrus’ Vanity Fair Photo Shoot
Kid sensation Miley Cyrus is a very popular singer and actress. Her albums have sold into the millions, and her television show, Hannah Montana, has been going strong since 2006.
Back in 2008, when Cyrus was 15, though, there was controversy over some photos taken for the magazine Vanity Fair. Among them was one of the teen in a bed sheet. The magazine, photographer, and singer drew criticism for it, but was this not a strategic move to help Cyrus’ career attract the attention of more mature audiences?
The reason this is asked is because it wasn’t much later that she was dancing at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards with what may or may not have been a stripper pole – she singer claimed it wasn’t.
The fact that such choreography was used at an event supposedly for children is disturbing to say the least, but the value is in knowing what to expect in the future. After all, it was at this same event in 2009 where the Jonas Brothers were made fun of for wearing promise rings because, let’s face it, there’s nothing that says ‘make fun of me in front of children’ like not bragging on all the poontang you’ve been slamming.
Why This is Important?
The truth is that no one is going to care about your children as much as you do. And as teens (or younger) they don’t always have the capacity for reason that they may think they do.
If it was up to an advertiser, your children would buy, or buy into, whatever it is they’re trying to sell that week. When it comes to the kids’ friends, they are trying to satisfy their own objectives, not always looking at the consequences. And for teens who date, their boyfriends and girlfriends are trying get from them whatever it is that they seek in a relationship, whether it’s presents on a birthday, someone to hold hands with in the hallway, or intimate moments.
Conclusion For Parents
The main conclusion that should be derived is that when things hit the newsstand or television like Britney Spears’ 1999 hit single or the fully covered, but very suggestive, Miley Cyrus photo shoot, it’s time to take some caution with their upcoming releases.
As the stars get older so will their material and their audience. The problem for children is when the leap is made and they aren’t notified by their parents, leaving them to wonder why their favorite tv characters went from quirky comedians to more realistic teens.
