Role Models for Girls – Part 1

A long time ago, I wrote a post entitled “Little Girls“. In it, I talked about how I believe that little girls are pushed to grow up too quickly in today’s society and what Christian parents can do about it.

I wanted to discuss something along the same vein as it something that concerns me a great deal – that is, the subject of role models for girls today.

I try and keep my eye on the horizon for what types of role models are/will be out there for my daughters. Now, obviously, there are many teens and women in the entertainment industry that I would not even consider to be good role models. But what about the “squeaky clean” ones?

From what I’ve seen and heard, one of the most popular icons for girls today is Hannah Montana. She is seen by many as a good role model for girls in an increasingly negative entertainment industry.

Hannah Montana is the star of a Disney TV show about an average girl (Miley) who lives a double life as a pop star (Hannah Montana).   Miley has just turned 15 years old and is extremely popular with girls ages 5 up through “tween” age. She has been touring around the country with her “Best of Both Worlds” tour where she sings as both Hannah and herself (Miley).

      

After researching her on her official websites, I turned to Plugged In Online, a website for Christian reviews on today’s music and movies. 

Here’s what Plugged In had to say about her Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus album, which was #1 for a long time. This portion of the review is under the “pro-social content” section:

Cyrus projects a healthy sense of self, realizing she has special qualities (“Rock Star”) yet noting that the “real me” can’t be found in the glitz and glamour (“Old Blue Jeans”). She appreciates being loved for who she truly is (“As I Am”) and demands respect from boys (“Clear”). Other songs celebrate friendship (“Right Here,” “You and Me Together,” “True Friend”) and get giddy over innocent romantic feelings (“One in a Million,” “Bigger Than Us”). “I Miss You” is a sweet tribute to a grandfather who passed away. On “Make Some Noise” Cyrus urges fans to be themselves, speak out and take risks that will help them develop their true potential. Similarly, she tells a melancholy individual, “Life’s What You Make It” (“With a new attitude, everything can change”). Rather than beat herself up over mistakes, the singer acknowledges that “Nobody’s Perfect” (“Everybody has those days … you live and you learn it”).

Read the full review here.

Sounds great, right? I went and checked out the lyrics for some of the songs mentioned in the review. First, one of the songs touted by the reviewer as describing “innocent romantic feelings” has these lyrics:

One In A Million

How did i get here
I turned around and there you were
Didn´t think twice or rationalize
Cause somehow i knew
That there was more than just chemistry
I mean i knew you were kind of into me
But i figured it´s too good to be true

I said pinch me, where´s the catch this time
Can´t find a single cloud in the sky
Help me before i get used to this guy

Chorus:

They say that good things take time
But really great things happen in a blink of an eye
Thought the chances to meet somebody
Like you were a million to one
Can´t believe it
You´re one in a million

All this time i was looking for love
Tryna make things work that weren´t good enough
Till i thought i´m through, said i´m done
Then stumbled into the arms of the one

You´re making me laugh about the silliest stuff
Say that i´m your diamond in the ruff
When i´m mad at you; you pull out your velvet gloves

I feel drunk but i am sober
And i´m smiling all over
Every time i see that sparkle in your eyes

(Repeat chorus)

From another song, praised for its message to help girls develop their true potential:

Make Some Noise 

Don’t let anyone
Tell you that you’re not strong enough
Don’t give up
There’s nothing wrong with just being yourself
That’s more than enough

So come on and raise your voice
speak your mind and make some noise
And sing
Hey, hey
Make some noise
Hey, hey, yeah

You want to be known
You want to be heard
And know you are beautiful
You have so much to give
Some change you wanna live
So shout it out and let it show

You have a diamond inside of your heart
A light that shines bright as the stars
Don’t be afraid to be all that you are
You’ll be fine

Hannah is popular with even very young girls. Here’s an article from Fox News about a mom who wrote a false essay for her 6-year old daughter so she could win concert tickets to “realize her dream to see Hannah Montana”.

Now, I’d like you to imagine that you’re a 6 year old girl at this concert where Miley is singing her popular song “G.N.O. (Girls Night Out)”, in which she sings

G.N.O. (Girls Night Out)

Don’t call me
Leave me alone
Not gonna answer my phone
Cuz I don’t
No I won’t see you

I’m out to have a good time
To get you off of my mind
Cuz I don’t
And I won’t need you
(hooo-hooo)

Send out a 911 (hooo-hooo)
We’re gonna have some fun (hooo-hooo)
Hey boy, you know
You better run

CHORUS
Cuz it’s a girl’s night
It’s alright without you
I’m gonna stay out
And play out without you
You better hold tight
This girl’s night is without you
(hooo-hooo)
Let’s go
G.N.O.(hooo-hooo)
Let’s go
G.N.O.(hooo-hooo)
Let’s go
G.N.O., let’s go
It’s a girl’s night

Verse 2
I’ll dance with somebody new
Won’t have to think about you
And who knows
What let go will lead to

You’ll hear from everyone (hooo-hooo)
You’ll get the 411 (hooo-hooo)
Hey boy
You knew this day would come

Hey boy
Don’t you wish you could have been a good boy
Try to find another girl like me, boy
Feel me when I tell ya
I am fine
And it’s time for me to draw the line 

If nothing else, at least watch the first 20 seconds of the video. It’s amazing to see the little tiny girls on the video screaming with excitement over Miley. I wonder if they even know what she is singing about?

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not judging this girl’s personal character because I don’t know her personally. In fact, I read an article from Christianity Today magazine which portrays her and her family as Christians. I’m just analyzing the image that she portrays by her clothing and song lyrics. 

Just because Hannah Montana is on the “clean” end of the spectrum, does that make her a good role model?

In the entertainment industry, it’s all relative.

As parents of daughters, we need to look at our long-term goals for them and then see if the entertainment that we’re willingly allowing their minds to feed on is moving them toward those goals or away from them.

My goals for Abigail and Iliana do not include any of the following:

• Dressing provocatively
• Being involved romantically at the junior high or high school age when they are not even considering marriage
• Proclaiming boldly their special uniqueness and self-reliance
• Seeking after material things at all costs
• Pursuing the lifestyle or career of a music celebrity

Why then, would I let them look up to this girl as a role model?

The definition of a role model is:

n. A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate.

If I have a particular behavioral or societal role that I want my daughters to emulate, I should point them to a model for that behavior. Who is/are good role models for Christian young women today? 

How about female athletes, such as Serena Williams, Danica Patrick, or Maria Sharapova?

How about strong women leaders, such as Condoleezza Rice or Hilary Clinton?

How about women who are making great strides in medicine or technology?

Who should a Christian girl look up to as a role model?

I don’t necessarily have a good answer for this question, but it’s one that’s been weighing on my mind lately. In Part 2 of this post, I’ll give you what conclusions I’ve come to and would also love to hear your input as well.