Miley and Tiger as role models for tweens
Here's Liz Atwood with Tween Tuesday:
Parents of tween girls have complained about Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears being poor role models for girls. In fact, many of the tweens themselves seem to agree. According to an AOL Web poll, Miley Cyrus was voted as having the worst celebrity influence on tweens because of her provocative attire, pole dancing performances and photo on the cover of Vogue.
But I’d like to point out that the role models for tween boys can be just as problematic. In my house, the role models aren’t carefully groomed and marketed pop stars, but sports figures. So this season I’ve had to field questions about Ben Roethlisberger rape allegations and now Tiger Woods’ marriage troubles.
This week my 9-year-old asked what Tiger Woods had done to get people angry with him. Before I could come up with a calm and reasonable answer, his mouthy older brother declared that Tiger had “acted like a slut.” I thought that was a revealing comment because it showed the 13-year-old hasn’t quite mastered the definition of the word, but neverthless has come up with a label that some might use about Miley or Britney.
I know the old argument that sports figures shouldn’t be role models for kids. They are paid to do a job on the field and their private behavior is no one’s business. But let’s be honest, anyone who makes millions and is in the public spotlight is going to be a role model—whether he’s a pop star or a sports star.
And the behavior of some of the professional athletes makes Mile Cyrus’ behavior look like, well, kid’s stuff.
Photo: In this June 16, 1997, photo, Tiger Woods helps a youngster participating in the Tiger Woods Foundation Junior Golf Clinic on Randall's Island in New York. (AP)
Comments
Maybe the time has come to phase out both the concept and term role model for kids as well as adults. I'm well over 50 and would be hard put to name even three RMs through my life. The reason? You're talking about human beings, with all their faults. Teach kids the best role model is the one in your head - it's called your conscience....
Posted by: ruth | December 15, 2009 7:39 AM
I think your 13-year old knows exactly what that word means and he used it correctly in this case.
Posted by: Kathy | December 15, 2009 8:02 AM
Maybe I don't know the meaning of slut if you think it could be applied to Miley Cyrus. I do not know of any of her actions that fit the definition of slut. The Vanity Fair pictures with her father I thought were in poor taste but even they did not rise to that level. She has shown poor judgment sometimes but when you remember her age and the amount of attention anything she does gets I believe she is doing very well.
Posted by: Bob | December 15, 2009 1:25 PM
Nice to see a male perspective on tiger and how his problems have disturbed the force of many fathers out there. I agree with the 1st commenter about the use of the word to refer to Tiger. Best way to describe his behavior. Cad is too clean. I agree with your points, except you never told us what you told your nine year old, and thus missed the opportunity to be a role model to dad's confronting the same question being asked by their kids.
Posted by: Troubled Tigger Fan | December 15, 2009 4:37 PM
That's because what Miley Cyrus has done IS kid stuff. She's a KID
Posted by: susannaranna | December 15, 2009 5:47 PM
I really did not like the way you used a back door method of calling Miley Cyrus a slut when her behaviour has not been that of a slut.
Miley Cyrus gives more to charity than anybody in her age group,goes to church,is not promiscuous and has never been busted for using drugs or alcohol.
Posted by: Bruce | December 16, 2009 12:10 PM
It is very nice posting . I like your article.
Posted by: willynonstocked | July 22, 2010 6:19 AM
Best way to describe his behavior. Cad is too clean. I agree with your points, except you never told us what you told your nine year old, and thus missed the opportunity to be a role model to dad's confronting the same question being asked by their kids.
Thank you
Posted by: mirc | August 1, 2010 11:56 AM
Tiger woods is a role model that has gone wrong. Why is Miley Cyrus a role model to begin with ?
Posted by: Smuze | January 10, 2011 6:23 PM