After all of the talk this week about the performance or, rather, shameless display put on by Miley Cyrus at the music awards recently I think it's a good time for all parents to think about what we expect from our daughters. Glenn Beck opined on this subject the other day and I think he was right on target: Miley is crying out for help.
Oh, she probably doesn't realize it, but for a young woman to shame herself so publicly, losing any modicum of respect and decency for herself in such a provocative and I think obscene performance, indicates a crying need for special attention. Several years ago when her father, Billy Ray, made the statement that he wanted to be friends with his daughter you could see it coming. Miley is probably looking for a father, not a friend.
Look, any young woman in show business is under a lot of pressure. Many people think that they have it made with no cares or worries but the demands to be a star which are placed on them by their handlers has to be monumental. And in a time of total disregard for respect and decency which became the rule with Madonna, was copied by Britney Spears, and followed by the outrageous Lady Gaga (gag me, please), I'm sure that Miley just figured she had to push the envelope even further if she was to attract attention. And so another who got started with the Mouseketeers has advanced into shaming herself. Annette, if you are up there watching, I'm sure you are shaking your head in disbelief.
What do we want from our daughters? Is it fortune and fame at any cost? Is it public attention by any means, including showing too much skin, or at least suggesting that by wearing skin tight clothes that leave little to the imagine? Oh, for a small number that might be acceptable but I think most of us abhor this behavior.
For me, and I guess I now have to say granddaughters since my daughter is grown, I want the young women in my family to grow into well rounded ladies who are capable of supporting themselves no matter what happens but by means which are legal, honorable, and morally sound. I want them to be able to say when they are older and have grown daughters of their own that they lived their lives with dignity and honor and in a way that their children can be proud of. To me, womanhood is something to be revered, not trashed and for it to be reached properly it requires the hand of God guiding her. This only comes from parental teaching and guidance, not as a friend but as a parent. There is always time to be friends when they are grown.
Call me old fashioned and corny if you want, but I think if every man and every father sees a beautiful young woman he wants to be able to say that's how I want my daughter to turn out. that beauty comes from the whole woman, not just a physical display but from the way she lives and the way she behaves. I know that all of you father's out there don't want to see your own flesh and blood displayed in a way that degrades her or uses her for impure thoughts, so think about that when you see someone behave like Miley. And have pity on her because once you have been displayed like cheap merchandise it's hard to ever get your reputation back. But you can through hard work, it is never too late.
And Miley and Billy Ray, there is always time to change your ways and use yourself as an agent for God and good, not the Black Angel and evil. He is always there for you and He will always forgive you. You just need to ask Him and follow Him.
Dear Lord, Help our young women of America to be strong and not follow the temptation of temporary glamour, bright lights and fame that is so often achieved by bad decision-making and immoral behavior. Remind them that their body is their temple and should not be used in a way that is disrespectful to themselves or Thee. And instill in all parents, particularly fathers, a strong will to raise them properly with reverence and care and treat them in a way which will clearly show to them their true beauty and value which is clean and pure, not tawdry and dirty. And Lord, please infect the hearts of women like Miley and others in similar circumstances so that they might see Thy light and seek Thy grace. We ask in Thy name, Amen.
Men of America, remember the old line from the song, "I want a girl, just like the girl that married dear old Dad". How about applying that concept in the raising of young women? All of America will be much better off for it.
Oh, she probably doesn't realize it, but for a young woman to shame herself so publicly, losing any modicum of respect and decency for herself in such a provocative and I think obscene performance, indicates a crying need for special attention. Several years ago when her father, Billy Ray, made the statement that he wanted to be friends with his daughter you could see it coming. Miley is probably looking for a father, not a friend.
Look, any young woman in show business is under a lot of pressure. Many people think that they have it made with no cares or worries but the demands to be a star which are placed on them by their handlers has to be monumental. And in a time of total disregard for respect and decency which became the rule with Madonna, was copied by Britney Spears, and followed by the outrageous Lady Gaga (gag me, please), I'm sure that Miley just figured she had to push the envelope even further if she was to attract attention. And so another who got started with the Mouseketeers has advanced into shaming herself. Annette, if you are up there watching, I'm sure you are shaking your head in disbelief.
What do we want from our daughters? Is it fortune and fame at any cost? Is it public attention by any means, including showing too much skin, or at least suggesting that by wearing skin tight clothes that leave little to the imagine? Oh, for a small number that might be acceptable but I think most of us abhor this behavior.
For me, and I guess I now have to say granddaughters since my daughter is grown, I want the young women in my family to grow into well rounded ladies who are capable of supporting themselves no matter what happens but by means which are legal, honorable, and morally sound. I want them to be able to say when they are older and have grown daughters of their own that they lived their lives with dignity and honor and in a way that their children can be proud of. To me, womanhood is something to be revered, not trashed and for it to be reached properly it requires the hand of God guiding her. This only comes from parental teaching and guidance, not as a friend but as a parent. There is always time to be friends when they are grown.
Call me old fashioned and corny if you want, but I think if every man and every father sees a beautiful young woman he wants to be able to say that's how I want my daughter to turn out. that beauty comes from the whole woman, not just a physical display but from the way she lives and the way she behaves. I know that all of you father's out there don't want to see your own flesh and blood displayed in a way that degrades her or uses her for impure thoughts, so think about that when you see someone behave like Miley. And have pity on her because once you have been displayed like cheap merchandise it's hard to ever get your reputation back. But you can through hard work, it is never too late.
And Miley and Billy Ray, there is always time to change your ways and use yourself as an agent for God and good, not the Black Angel and evil. He is always there for you and He will always forgive you. You just need to ask Him and follow Him.
Dear Lord, Help our young women of America to be strong and not follow the temptation of temporary glamour, bright lights and fame that is so often achieved by bad decision-making and immoral behavior. Remind them that their body is their temple and should not be used in a way that is disrespectful to themselves or Thee. And instill in all parents, particularly fathers, a strong will to raise them properly with reverence and care and treat them in a way which will clearly show to them their true beauty and value which is clean and pure, not tawdry and dirty. And Lord, please infect the hearts of women like Miley and others in similar circumstances so that they might see Thy light and seek Thy grace. We ask in Thy name, Amen.
Men of America, remember the old line from the song, "I want a girl, just like the girl that married dear old Dad". How about applying that concept in the raising of young women? All of America will be much better off for it.
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