Posted by shyla at 12:39pm Oct 9 '07I don't really know what the main focus of this post is going to be but I felt compelled to post this video. Lots of things ran through my mind after watching it. Sex, immaturity, promiscuity, exploitation, objectification, sales, media influence, conflicting theories.
A lot of us say that America and Americans are uptight about sex. Is it true? Really? Because I see sex or the representation of sex everywhere. It's in television, movies, video games, music, billboards, mannequins, magazines, internet. I mean, you couldn't get away from it if you tried. So, can we really be that uptight about sex if it's literally everywhere, in almost every aspect of our life? And if we are uptight...how and why? Sex obviously sells so there must be a rather large audience of non uptight people.
And...Why does sex sell? I know, I know..it's erotic, sexy, we're lustful creatures, etc. But isn't there a point where it gets kind of boring? Same old, same old type thing? It used to be taboo, had a cup your hand to your mouth and "oooooh" appeal. Sex isn't forbidden anymore though. We think about sex, we talk about sex, we have sex...all the time. Are we just dumb, animalistic beings who froth at the mouth at any inclination of sex? Or does the media influence us to think that way?
Okay, moving on (I told you I'd be all over the place), why are we selling our children as sexual beings? Or really, why are we selling them at all? I know everyone is probably sick to death of Britney Spears but she's a prime fucking example. She made her debut when she was what, 17?.. with a song asking her baby to hit her again and in a video where she portrays herself as a sexy, pouty student sporting her bra and sexual dance moves. Each year she progressed into something more racy and controversial. We've seen it before, right? I mean, come on, Madonna was her idol. Britney even has the bed and masturbation scene for her tour. Emulation-greatest form of flattery. But, Madonna didn't debut until she was around 24 or 25. She had a lot more life experience going for her and she didn't just use sex for sex but also to voice her opinions on religion and politics and life. Whereas all I know of Britney is her desire for us to trust our President in every decision he makes.
Has she been exploited? If so, by whom? Her parents? Business people? Media? Us? Does it matter? For all intents and purposes, she's been led and told what to do all her life up until only a couple of years ago. She's readily admitted that she's easily influenced and only started making decisions for herself after the births of her sons. Is it any wonder that she kind of went cuckoo? I know...who cares about Britney, she's got loads of money and can help herself. But...she's a person. When you see someone drowning, isn't the desire to pull them out of the water your immediate reaction?
Should we have stronger laws on children working in the entertainment industry? Or should it always be up to the parent? I feel like a lot of children are exploited for a dollar. In the past couple of years, the exploitation of children has turned me off so much that I really don't even want to participate in anything that features children. Surely many child stars grow up and have normal, well adjusted lives. But to sacrifice even one? Why? For someone else's amusement? No thanks. Let kids be kids. Some have said "well, what if it's a kids dream to act/sing/dance/whatever". So what? My nephew dreams of going outside with no shoes when it's raining-but I know it's not good for him so I don't let him do it. If the dream is there, it will still be there after reaching adulthood. What's the harm in letting them make an adult decision after having lived out childhood-something everyone deserves?
Britney and Sex Sells - shyla