Pop Divas vs. Traditional Childhood

Visions of little girls in pigtails and dresses playing with dolls have quickly faded into the shadows of the past. The example set by many pop divas has changed what traditional childhood looks like. Low-ride jeans and belly-bearing shirts are the new norm for toddlers and teens alike. Leisurely activities now consist of spa days and shopping sprees instead of playing house and tea party.


Many parents worry their children are growing up too fast. The cause for this change can be attributed in many ways to role models in the celebrity world. Pop divas are admired and looked up to by young girls more than any other celebrities. Celebrities like Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan wield a very detrimental influence over the psyche of many young girls. This influence can be seen in the negative changes in girl’s clothing styles, sexuality, ethics and self esteem. Old virtues have been eliminated and childhood is becoming an almost non-existent part of life as girls move from living a carefree adolescence, to jumping into a premature, unhealthy adulthood before even reaching their teen years. The influence of pop divas on young girls has reformed the traditional image of what a young lady should be. Of the most recent pop divas Britney Spears has been labeled the most influential pop diva of this generation.


Spears hit the pop scene with blatant sensuality and a feigned innocence. She looked adorable in her little plaid miniskirt and pigtails. Every tweener wanted to be just like this beautiful, attractive and talented new star. As Spears career progressed she became the most sexually exploited pop star of her time. Adam Sternbergh, co-creator of the website Fametracker.com and author of the article “The Pop Tart in Winter” states that “She [Spears] is tragically overexposed.” (qtd. in Latterell 372). She flamboyantly prances around in her music videos flaunting her sexuality and teaching young girls that appearing sexy makes them acceptable to the world. Spears’ style of entertainment has become increasingly licentious to the point of including acts of sexual foreplay in her music videos. In numerous videos she is seen dancing around suggestively in lingerie and in her video “Toxic” Spears makes out with a man and rubs her rump against his genitals in an airplane bathroom. Some parents may justify this sort of behavior by saying it teaches girls freedom of expression and female power, but they neglect to address the fact that these girls are demeaning themselves as sex toys by imitating such behavior. Adoring fans emulate Spears’ every move so that they too can be attractive and popular. Little do they know that they will lose their childhood with all its innocence and simplicity. No more dolls and tea parties; facials and mall shopping are what consume the minds of this current generation.


From watching the Disney program “Hannah Montana” one can observe three apparent characteristics exhibited in the show that are influencing today’s stereotypical tweeners: materialism, self-centeredness and disrespect for authority. Such a deplorable example for girls cannot be reasonably condoned. Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) is repeatedly seen back-talking and under-minding her dad, teaching her viewers to disregard authority figures. She is always wearing the latest styles; which creates an unrealistic ideal for young girls who do not possess the means to change their wardrobe to match every new trend. Cyrus enjoys all of the vain comforts of a typical Beverly Hills upstart: manicures, facials and shopping sprees that are not nearly as accessible to the middle class. To girls whose parents cannot financially support this ideal, this is a serious matter. Their self esteem falters and they quickly become depressed when they do not measure up to this persona and lifestyle. Materialistic attitudes are exemplified as normal and acceptable in this show and many others. Traditionally, working hard for assets has been an esteemed principle; but now many young people entertain a mindset of instant gratification because their favorite pop divas get what they want at the snap of their fingers instead of having to labor for it like the majority of society.


One of the most dramatic persona changes of this last decade has been observed in the life of Lindsay Lohan. Her epic downward spiral has left no thread of decency in the fabric of the visage she displayed for young girls. She was the picture of innocence and conventionality, complete with pigtails and freckles. She was the cliché girl next door. Movies such as “The Parent Trap” and “Life Size” instilled a feeling of admiration for childhood wholesomeness in her audience. Initially, Lohan fit the all American girl role perfectly, but as most child stars, she grew tired of being cast in pigeon-holed roles of virtue. She quickly decided to grow up and take on a more adult-like lifestyle; which incited some of her young fans to do the same. To Lohan being grown up consisted of partying and shopping till she dropped. Her innocent farce had come to an end and all her adoring fans were left to follow a not so admirable example. Many girls now throw aside childhood to liken themselves to the fake marks of maturity demonstrated by their favorite pop divas. Gaunt and glamorous, Lohan still captures the public’s eye on occasion. This anorexic, drug addicted shopaholic is what young girls are looking up to, much to their detriment. Girls need positive role models to teach them that their identity and worth is not found in appearance, fame or wealth.


Pop divas dominate the media through music videos, movies and magazines; meanwhile the younger generation of women coming up hereafter are being set up to fail even before they start. They feel that if they do not replicate the glittering façade and lifestyle they will never know happiness or be loved. Childhood used to be carefree; it did not matter whether socks or outfits matched. No makeup or trips to the mall for the latest outfit were required; looking sexy and capturing the attention of the opposite sex was not even a passing thought. Little girls dreamt of being a mother or career woman, not an attention hungry audience-pleaser. Girls cannot be left to follow these ill examples of what it means to be a happy, healthy woman. The traditional values of childhood innocence must be preserved if today’s girls are to emerge as strong women who are confident in their identity. If society desires for the next generation to mature into responsible adults they must produce positive role models that value and exemplify traditional childhood.