hen all those pop celebs were big. These same girls, let's say ages 13-14ish were trying to BE Brittney (pre-going crazy and shaving her head) with the clothes they wore and the makeup they used. I try to recall those awkward pre-teen days in my life and honestly, I was more concerned about hiding my body because I was teased for being too skinny. (I believe I touch upon this topic in another blog but just to reiterate a quick point: making fun of people who are underweight is just as messed up and hurtful as making fun of obesity.) I wore baggy clothes instead of Spears' cute little naughty schoolgirl attire with pig tails and knee highs. The girls in this documentary said they dressed and acted like these celebs because they were successful and pretty and got the guys. I was astounded when it was revealed that a former porn director also directed these music videos. That means that these girls are inadvertantly influenced by porn?! wow. Is it no concern that there were 10 year olds interviewed who said they think they will have to "confront sex" in the next two years? Does no one see anything wrong here? The are spending more time in the mirror, pointing out all the things they hate about themselves and covering it up with animal-tested foundations and mascaras. Heck, one girl used lipstick for eyeshadow because it "gives a natural shine you just cannot get from real eyeshadow" (or something along those lines). The only time I wore lipstick (on my lips that is) and all that jazz was for my dance recitals and competitions.
And the whole sex issue...it seemed like fiction at such an age. To my friends and I sex was like an exclusive club that only our parents ("ew ew ew bad mental picture"--because we also were ALL very immature and refused to believe that our parents do it...the stork idea was so much less gross) and famous people were in. When our older siblings or the older kids in band bragged about eating out and getting to the center of a tootsie pop, we thought nothing of it...until the proceeded to actually explain the meaning of those phrases where neither had to do with any real food. We made stupid pacts, quite the opposite of American Pie, where we vowed we would never let anything up our you know whats except tampons. We were completely disgusted by all that sex nonsense. These girls are saying things like "well i guess if I have to so he likes me..." or "I don't think I will be ready, but do I really have a choice?" They objectify themselves because they think that its the only way guys will notice them. It is sickening, and it is the reality. Children are growing up faster with the average 11 yr old having a fully functional cellular device on hand. And why is 5th grade health now sex ed instead of just the puberty talk and nutrition? Media, parental upbringing, adolescent influence, money, the list goes on. Regardless of the cause, we gotta find a solution. There isn't much positive female encouragement out there and the little that exists is bashed so much girls are afraid to follow them. Its easier and more convenient to be a Brittney than a gosh ya know what I can't even think of a singer or actress that isn't the size of a toothpick that is a good role model off the top of my head. Wow. Case in point. Can someone save these girls from themselves before its too late? I really hope so, but God knows we have a long way to go before that desired outcome.
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