I am the mother of a 16 year old honor student. A senior being courted by some of the most prestigious art schools in the country. A child who has had her photographs hung in internationally recognized museums, has been awarded multiple awards for her writing, poetry, and academia. A child who has written for this site since the age of 12. Has entered the backstage dressing rooms of ‘rock stars’ and sat on their tour busses to interview them.
My child has been raised in the chaos of the music world as a baby listening to the Ramones while dancing in a diaper. I was a stay at home mother who found working the burden of selfish suburban scum who found their ‘career’ more important than their children. I sacrificed to do so. I don’t live in a Mc-mansion, I don’t slave to keep up the with the Jones’.
I was raised by a mother who encouraged my individuality. Lived by the code of live your life with harming no one. Who exposed me to the art scene and shielded me as a mother should- with explanation and analogy. She didn’t hide things but she certainly made it clear what she felt was appropriate and allowed open discussion as I learned to think for myself. I did the same with my child (read here)
If people sincerely believe that woman like Miley will adversely affect their daughters then perhaps it’s time to look in the mirror. A child’s decision making skills originates from their parents. Their parents job is to teach them to be wise and cognitive thinkers. To hide them from the harsh reality that some people make bad decisions open them up to the Disney world of everything is fine.
Kids eating meat? You just taught them that cruelty is good. I dare you to show them what a slaughter house looks like and expect them to eat it for dinner. No wait.. hide that from them too, makes chicken nuggets easier to serve.
My daughter finds Miley repulsive. My daughter finds Taylor annoying. We are all entitled to an opinion. She has made these decisions on her own. When she was much younger she found most stereotypes worth a challenge. She knew wrong from right and with a sense of enormous pride would justify her feelings. She never followed the crowd and her individuality was always nurtured.
Shrouded children become fabulous liars and wonderful sneaks. By making topics taboo you make them more interesting and a better way to rebel when they don’t fancy your rules.
Ban away- but there are a million more Mileys and some are walking around in your childrens school right now. Everyone wants a bite of the forbidden fruit. And everyone gets a nibble eventually.
Show your kids the transformation.. her career began as deceit. Pretending to be an ‘average kid’ while being a rock star on Hannah Montana, so lies are just part of the entire scheme of things. But that was ok right? That was fine to watch. Hell plop them in front of the TV, its so easy and it’ll keep them quiet and out of your hair.
Have enough faith in your own kids to realize that they will find it repugnant on their own. Have enough confidence in your parenting skills to tackle these challenges head on rather than dusting them under the carpet.
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