No doubt by now you have seen the “shocking” Vanity Fair photos of Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana). Every news program from Good Morning America to Inside Edition has told us how inappropriate the photos are–while showing them to us. Question: If they are so inappropriate why do they keep showing them over and over and over again? Another question: Are they inappropriate because they are obscene or because they are obscene at such an early age?
O.K. Allow me to rant.
How can they possibly be shocked when everything from the public media to the sales rack at Walmart is telling us to dress our little girls like street walkers? Really? Have you tried to buy clothes for a 6 year old girl lately? Have you noticed what goes for fashion at the local “Tramps are Us” children’s clothing store. I’m neither a legalist or a prude. I am absolutely against legislating a dress style. Modesty, however, is an entirely different issue.
One news clip mentioned how shocking it was to see Miley posing with Billy Ray, her dad, with her midriff showing–shocking! Give me a break. How dare the media be shocked when they have been the ones selling us the Brittney/hooker look for the last 10 years.
Here is a rule to help guide us. If it is inappropriate for a 15 year old girl it is inappropriate for a 21 year old woman. The only thing that age changes is the legality of choice. Let me add, it’s not necessarily a good choice just because an age responsible person makes it. I think Brittney and Lindsey have proven that.
I certainly do not advocate a “prairie dress” wardrobe for women and I have no complaint against modern styles of dress. However, something can be said for the nobility of decency in dress.
Here is my suggestion. If you are shocked by the pictures of Miley (and I am) then perhaps we should make some effort to insure that our girls don’t dress like “working girls.” It is time to raid our children’s closet and throw away the half shirts, mini skirts, and short shorts and be as shocked about the immodesty of our own children as we are over the immodesty of some girl we have never even met.
