On Miley Cyrus’ oversexualized new video for “We Can’t Stop”: Please, stop

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After hearing about it, I finally watched the video to Miley Cyrus’ new single “We Can’t Stop.” Here’s my beef: I get the whole breaking away from Hannah Montana thing. I understand that she wants to establish herself as an adult and enter a new phase of her career. But since when has becoming an adult woman equal becoming a skank?

Singing about sex and drugs, wearing little clothing while humping pillows, grabbing other girls’ breasts and butts — these things make you an adult? Wow, I guess I missed the memo.

Forget the substandard quality of the song, or the fact that she’s clearly trying to become the new Pink. What stands out here is how the video exemplifies oversexualization of young women. Here’s the video’s apparent message: the only way to succeed in life is to compromise your dignity and self-esteem. Let others exploit you and your sexuality, turning you into an object.

I’m not a prude — we’re all sexual beings, after all — but I feel that videos like “We Can’t Stop” send the wrong message to young women, and perpetuate the trend of tweeners dressing provocatively at way too young an age.

Obviously I’m not advocating banning the video, as I have a dim view of censorship. But I hope it provokes honest discussions between parents and their daughters about what it really means to be an adult, stressing that you control your own body and image — no one else. Sometimes I feel that feminism has become a dirty word, a “relic” that today’s women deem obsolete. However, feminism does need to address this very serious topic, one that results in devastating psychological consequences for many women.

Some may say that I’m reading too much into the clip; indeed, I’m not placing all the blame on Ms. Cyrus. She’s just symptomatic of this sexploitation of young girls. Women need to mentor the younger generations and teach them what it really means to be a happy, healthy, confident, and, yes, adult woman.

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Kit O'Toole