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Read the Women Blog
May 05, 2008
You can also read the Women blog on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° website. 
Eyes on Miley’s bare back, not on the big picture
The Miley Cyrus debate was bare in more than one way. Arguing over whether the 15-year-old’s Vanity Fair photo spread constitutes blight on wholesomeness or a publicity stunt competed with Rev. Wright as last week’s hot topic. Celebrity pundits vented their shock on the airwaves, and in newsprint and blogs, while “experts” offered parents tips on how to discuss the consequences of bad decisions, in this case resulting from Miley’s nude back. Missing from the commotion was the glaring opportunity to confront the double standard for girls’ sexuality with a healthy discussion about responsible sexual development among our adolescents.
Britney Spears caused a similar controversy with even more revealing photos during her early teen years. Americans reacted in collective horror when Brandi Chastain, in exuberant victory after scoring the winning goal against China in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final, removed her shirt to reveal her sports bra to a worldwide Olympic audience. Today, with the U.S. continuing to lead developed countries in the incidence of teen pregnancy and one out of four teenagers infected with a sexually transmitted disease, the evidence is clear that the public dialogue about sexuality continues to be dominated by pop culture. The time has long passed to change the equation.
There is an important sexual dimension to wholesomeness that’s being left unaddressed by parents, educators and the media. Human integrity isn’t about casting moral judgments; it’s about knowledge as the foundation for the exercise of personal responsibility. At the beginning of the 21st Century, we should finally leave behind the hypocritical morality of the Victorians to face up to the incontrovertible reality that sexual development is inherent to human life. Yes, even Miley Cyrus is a sexual being.
The Bush Administration and Congress have bowed to political pressure from the right wing to advance taxpayers support for abstinence-only “sex education.” The problem is that such is not responsible education about a fundamental element of development – sexuality. We delude ourselves into believing that just saying “no” will dampen sexual precociousness. And then along comes a naked adolescent backside and we slide backward into sanctimonious rebukes, instead of seizing the opportunity for a teachable moment. Our children deserve better.
Sexual development starts before birth and stays with us to the grave. It requires educated parents and a supportive community. When talking to children about sexuality:
- Remember parents are their children’s primary sexuality educator. Start in early childhood and give as much age-appropriate information as possible.
- You don’t have to know it all. In today’s Internet age, parents can find answers to most questions.
- Use media characterizations to highlight the positive aspects of sexuality and talk about the risks of sexual activity.
- Share your own stories. Children need to know that their parents are sexual beings.
- If you’ve avoided ongoing discussions, it’s never too early or too late to start. Let your children know how to access education and health resources in your community.
- Experience is not a reliable teacher. Seize the teachable moment. Knowledge is the power for responsible decisions; our children’s future is at stake.
Rachel says
Agreed. Conservatives want to turn the most natural act in which humans can engage into a perversion. If sex were a more acceptable topic of conversation, perhaps teenagers wouldn’t be as likely to use it as a form of rebellion. And besides, it’s fine to photograph scantily-clad women and girls in bikinis, but a naked back? I’m not sure why that’s even an issue.