The Wrong Role Model For Girls
Wednesday - June 14, 2006
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Del.icio.usParis Hilton is a celebrity in search of talent - any talent. I sure hope she finds it soon.
Her latest endeavor is a music video that features the blond pretender singing and gyrating on a beach somewhere. Actually, she gyrates a lot and sings very little. Mostly she just sounds breathy. And no wonder, the way she’s contorting that scantily clad body of hers. I know it’s supposed to be sexy, but after about 30 seconds it gets old.
I can imagine the scene playing out on the set. The director yells, “OK, Paris, now wiggle to your left, a little shoulder action to your right ... toss that sexy blond hair ... Beautiful, babe, beautiful!”
A friend of mine, who has a daughter, says she objects to the whole idea of Paris Hilton. Not because the woman is rich, sexy and beautiful - but because that’s all she is. And the sad thing is, little girls want to be just like her. She projects an image of hyper sexuality that girls admire. They dress like her. They worship her. Now they’ll even try to sing like her.
Yikes.
My friend doesn’t want her daughter to aspire to be “just like Paris.” And really, I can see her point. You try and try to teach your child that success depends on hard work, good habits, brains and character. Then someone like Paris Hilton comes along and suddenly your daughter knows that all it really takes is a hot body, a pretty face and tons of money.
I don’t really have a problem with Paris. When I read about her I find her shenanigans mildly interesting. But then again, I don’t have an impressionable daughter. It’s difficult to steer children toward proper role models. Paris and her lifestyle are so enticing in a culture where sex, money and beauty are glorified. So it is difficult to ask daughters to instead look at role models who appear at first glance somewhat mundane - women who are teachers, scientists, businesswomen, doctors and yes, even homemakers.
My friend’s daughter has a beautiful singing voice. She works hard at developing it, even though she’s only a little girl.
Will she, when she gets older, have the guts and smarts and luck that will lead to success? Will she be able to do it in a way that empowers her as a human being - rather than conforming to some twisted ideal of feminine sexuality?
If her levelheaded mom has anything to say about it, she will.
Thank goodness.
I do hope Paris Hilton finds her niche - something that gives her life relevance.
It would really be a shame if what you see is all there is.
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