It feels like ages ago, yet the buzz around Miley Cyrus and her so-called “lap dance” video still lingers. If you somehow missed it, you can check out the video here. Terms like “bad role model,” whispers of “did they have sex,” and accusations of “another bad move” were thrown around relentlessly regarding Miley and that video clip.
When the “lap dance” video news first broke, my curiosity, like many others, led me to watch it. Frankly, I anticipated something far more scandalous – maybe a mini striptease. What I actually saw was simply a teenager dancing. My immediate thought wasn’t outrage, but rather, “what’s the big deal?” You might disagree, and that’s perfectly valid. Opinions differ. But let me explain why I believe this whole episode was blown way out of proportion, particularly the focus on “Lap Dance Sex.”
Firstly, she was 17, nearly an adult – actually, 16 when the video was recorded. Secondly, she was dancing at a club. This wasn’t a promotional music video or some official media release. It was a private moment captured in a public space. The dance moves themselves, which sparked the “lap dance sex” controversy, are quite common. This style of dancing has been around for years, and honestly, many of us engaged in similar moves even younger than 16!
Teen star Miley Cyrus in a parade, linked to 'lap dance sex' video controversy and discussions on teenage role models.
Furthermore, close dancing doesn’t automatically equate to sex. The leap from a dance video to assumptions about “lap dance sex” is a significant and unwarranted jump. Instead of constantly scrutinizing Miley Cyrus’s every move and labeling them as “bad,” parents should shift their focus inward. Ensure your children aren’t obsessively watching such videos, or better yet, use it as a chance to discuss family values and differing perspectives on such displays.
As a parent myself, with a young daughter, I understand the protective instinct. Negative influences on our children are a genuine concern. I’ve even written before about why Hannah Montana wasn’t right for our preschooler at a certain age. But, is it truly Miley Cyrus’s responsibility to shield every child from potential influences? Should she be denied the simple act of teenage fun and expression just because she’s in the public eye?
Perhaps we should redirect our energy from policing other people’s children, especially public figures like Miley, and concentrate on becoming the primary role models in our own children’s lives.
Have you watched the video? What was your initial reaction to the “lap dance sex” accusations and the broader controversy?
