Miley Cyrus' Controversial Vanity Fair Photo Shoot

According to the Houston Chronicle, 15-year-old Miley Cyrus, star of favorite pre-teen show Hannah Montana, posed topless (chest covered) for the cover of Vanity Fair. Last week, the teen star was in trouble for online photos where she was revealing her underwear by pulling a tank-top away from her body. The Vanity Fair photo shoot was done by famed photographer Annie Liebovitz. According to Cyrus, the shoot was Liebovitz's idea, and that her aim was an "artistic" shoot. The outcome, however was parental outrage - including parents who call for a "bonfire" for the Hannah Montana merchandise.

While I am the parent of a boy who does not watch Cyrus' show, I believe that these recent actions from this young star are concerning for parents. I would advocate a ban on Hannah Montana merchandise for the following reasons:

1. Our girls need positive role models. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with sexuality and intimacy, it is something that should be experienced only by those mature enough to cope with the complex emotions brought about by the activity. While Cyrus' topless photo was not explicitly sexual, it does give mixed messages about what is expected of young women - and gives the impression that being topless is acceptable for someone who is at a tender age.

2. Cyrus' show is associated with a squeaky-clean image. Moreover, her pop music is also associated with this clean-cut all American girl image. With the fallout of other teenage idols (i.e. Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy, Britney Spears falling from public grace, the Olson twins and their various problems, etc.) this has become a rare commodity. It creates a problem for parents wanting to find entertainment for pre-teens who are not yet ready for sexual content. (Is there a reason our children must grow up so fast?)

3. Branding. For reasons not associated with Cyrus' behavior itself, our children are becoming consumers - and at very young ages. This should be quite concerning as our country is becoming very comfortable with running debt.

4. From the feminist standpoint - is there a reason we should be teaching our girls that wearing makeup, posing topless, and showing off underwear is "cool"? What happened to the movement for women to be strong, smart, and confident (without showing off their body parts)? I would love to see strong teenage females flaunting what it really means to be a woman.

5. From the "there are better things to do with time" standpoint - personally, I limit my child's consumption of pop culture. There is a whole world of childhood to be discovered - reading books in the shade, swimming, climbing trees, making up games, etc.

Regardless of my opinions on the controversy, our children are growing up too fast as it is. Childhood is being usurped by mass media and pop culture. There is a lack of positive role models at the moment within television and film for pre-teens. Perhaps this is a need that media should be focusing on - rather than creating sexualized versions of young teenagers in order to sell magazines.