No Little Girl, Miley Cyrus’ Rock in Rio, clothes aren’t the real issue

This week the media was buzzing over Miley Cyrus once again.  Seems 17 year old Miley was again behaving in a more adult like manner then most are comfortable with. Onstage during the Rock in Rio concert in Portugal Ms. Cyrus scampered about in a one piece, lime green leotard that left little to the imagination. This being the core of the buzz, criticism was abound with inquires of age- appropriateness and role model status being questioned.    

Of course this is pretty much what people have been questioning regarding Miley for a few years now.  Mature photographs, older boyfriends, sexy music videos, and risqué clothing have been apart of Miley’s MO pretty much from the get go.  If you thought Hannah Montana guaranteed the sanctity of a tween safe haven then you have been duly duped my friends. It’s been pretty clear; to me at least, that Ms. Cyrus, or her people as it may be, has used the Disney marketing dynasty as a gateway to more secular pop stardom, knowing all along that little girls grow up, Disney princess however, do not.  Hence, why Miley, by projecting an adult image outside the Disney set, has been reminding people since the beginning that she is not Hannah Montana; unlike Hilary Duff who was so synonymous with the Lizzie McGuire character that once it was over she had no where to go, Miley on the other hand has big plans for her future.    

So, here we are parents. Miley has made her decision. She wants to be viewed as a young adult even if she isn’t quite there yet. So why do parents keep hanging onto the Hannah Montana persona?  Insisting that Miley should act of a certain age? If you believe Miley is not a good role model for tween and teen girls then stop letting your daughters go to her concerts. Stop allowing your daughters to purchase her merchandise, stop buying into the propaganda.  

The public can’t decide how an entertainer will project themselves, but we certainly have the power of endorsement or lack of it.  We also have the power to mentor our own children with the role models we deem appropriate. Stop blaming Miley and start talking to your daughters.  

© 2010 Kiki Dahlke