Are the Vanity Fair photos featuring Miley Cyrus appropriate?
The only arguments in favor of this photo shoot of a child, displayed in a grown-up sophisticated magazine, might be that there was very little flesh shown, and after all, this is the 21st century. That is precisely the point. For heavens sake, this is still a kid, and a wholesome one at that, even though she is a fast-rising celebrity.
The dominant culture seems hell-bent on turning little girls into miniature tarts. Case in point, a mother goes into a Gap store to buy some school clothes for her nine year old daughter. She is shocked to discover not one outfit that would be demure and appropriate. Most of the collection seemed to be small sizes of what harlots would wear.
Back to Miley. Like it or not, she is a role model for teens and pre-teens. And from all accounts, she has been a good role model. Why can’t we keep her that way? Goodness knows, there are plenty of celebrities that are terrible for emulation.
It is possible that I am over-stating the case against the Vanity Fair spread. On the other hand, if we were to take a survey of fathers, I wager that the overwhelming majority would be against the photos.
It is my opinion that our society is attempting to sexualize even little kids. Fewer mothers than fathers agree with this contention, and that also is a pity!
Dick Brooks