Hannah Montana, the Disney channel’s wildly popular TV show about a “tween” pop star, has become a marketing goliath targeting girls aged 6-14. As the mother of a 9 year old girl, I can tell you that in my house right now are Hannah Montana clothes, playing cards, lip balm, folders and notebooks, music CDs, and several movies. I think you get the picture!
I took a closer look at the show and its star, “Miley Cyrus”, to see whether my daughter admiring this icon was a good or bad or thing. I was expecting to find it a horror show of superficial values and began thinking of how to break it to my daughter that I was going to limit her “Hannah" TV time. Instead, I actually liked it and thought it was a good show for girls. Here’s why:
1. Hannah /Miley does not look like a Barbie doll. She is kind of skinny, no curves to speak of, not a real beauty. Kind of like, well, most girls that age. I say, “GREAT!!” The last thing young girls need is some impossible standard of beauty to try to meet. There is enough of that out there for them to combat.
2. Miley/Hannah has a healthy relationship with her father. The father is clearly in charge, and Hannah has chores, curfew, limits, and consequences for bad behavior. She shows proper respect for her father, yet their relationship allows for her to be able to talk to him about her feelings. These are all good things!!
3. Although Miley has an alter ego when she becomes “Hannah”, the show does a good job of showing that Hannah’s life as a superstar is not her real life. Hannah Montana is something that she does, not who she is. She is Miley, who is struggling to find herself just like everyone else her age. Young girls can easily think that all their problems would be solved if they became rich and famous. The show proves that wrong in every episode.
4. Finally, I think that Hannah Montana tells girls that GREAT THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! If a young person has talent, practices and has the determination and discipline to turn that into commercial success- it can happen!
I am glad I took the time to tune in. Now I don’t cringe as much when I see my daughter sitting in front of the TV, saying the words of dialog along with the actors because she has seen the episode so many times!
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I think it's safe to say Hannah Montana might be the only role model left standing for tweens and teens out there right now. Although, I think Raven and that iCarly chick are pretty up there as well.... YA THINKS??!! ;););)
ReplyDeleteYou know, when I think DISNEY Channel, I immediately think wholesome, saccharine-sweet and innocent. Maybe because my kids are still young and prefer the more cartoon-ish programs?
But that perception is sadly no longer the case and it's unfortunate that a few bad apples (ehem, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie-Lynn Spears, ehem ehem) tarnished that loveable image and have forced parents to censor their children from even these type of shows.
While it's perfectly fine for young children to hold certain celebrities in high regard, in light of these scandlous teen "idols", I think it would certainly be prudent for us as parents to teach our children that these characters are actually real life human beings when they are not on the screen, and are subject to making mistakes, as we all are.
If a child/adolosecent somehow becomes out of control simply because some famous person on TV did, then there are probably other, more deeply rooted issues there that need to be addressed. Their lives should not revolve around what certain celebrities do or don't do.....
Just my 2 cents :)
But then again, talk to me in 6 or 7 years when my oldest is the same age as your daughter! :)
Excellent point! Miley is a fantastic role model for young girls, and I would have no problem with my daughter looking up to someone with values and substance. And you know Lori, on that subject, there is a new rising Disney star named Tiffany Giardina. She too is a fantastic talent and a wholesome girl, a real role model just like Miley. I think it's wonderful the way Disney markets these tween artists, and I believe Tiffany has what it takes to be a pop sensation. Now, I wanted to know if you'd be interested in getting involved in the process.
ReplyDeleteWe have been reaching out to bloggers, mostly moms like yourself, who take an interest in what their kids are listening to, to help us spread the name and face of Tiffany Giardina. If you have the time, please check out the videos on our YouTube page and let me know what you think! If you could even have your own kids check out Tiffany and give us some feedback in a blog entry, that would be more than greatly appreciated! All in all, we want to direct kids and moms alike to Radio Disney's request page http://radio.disney.go.com/speak/request.html to vote for Tiffany's new single. We need more artists like her, and Miley, to spread positive, safe messages to our young girls in a world of Amy Winehouses and Paris Hiltons. :) Have a great one, hope I hear from you soon!
Thanks "Team Tiffany".I will check out Disney's new star, Tiffany Giardina. I encourage the readers of my blog to do so too!
ReplyDeleteNot having any children of my own,I don"t know if I am the perfect person to offer my opinion on this subject. But having 2 neices between the ages of 6&9 I know they eat,sleep,and dream Hannah Montana.
ReplyDelete````I know that as a child Barbie didn"t do it for me. I mean the "Beaver"and "Dennis the Menace" were all I knew,and in the later years Marcia and Jan.
`````Role models are great for kids,and it looks like she"s a good choice. Brittany,Paris,and Lindsey move over,there"s a new girl in town
Have to agree 100% with Lori and TC. I recently viewed Tiffany Giardinas videos on Youtube and I have to say I think she is our next "Hannah Montana". Thanks to Lori, who led me in her (Tiffany) direction, not only was the music enjoyable but being a mom of a 7-year-old daughter I tend to pay close attention to the lyrics. Her lyrics prove her to be a girl who isn’t superficial and interested in keeping up with “Sharpay” from “High School Musical” and London Tipton (a knock off of Paris Hilton) from the “Sweet Life of Zach and Cody”. She is real and this positive role model is what these young girls need. After explaining to my daughter about Jaime Lynn Spears becoming pregnant at such a young age it helps to see someone up and coming exude such a standard way for someone her age to behave.
ReplyDeleteI also have to agree! At first I thought Hannah Montana was the new pop idol of the month. All form, no substance. After reading what Lori had to say, I actually sat down and watched a few episodes of the show...and was happily surprised! How refreshing to see a parent who isn't a buffoon and who isn't being portrayed as not nearly as smart as their smarty-pants kid. A Dad who is really a Dad. Nice. And I like how Miley dresses - fashionable, age-appropriate and not trying to be a mini-adult. I now enjoy the fact that my 7 year old daughter has someone who seems real to look up to. Bravo Disney! And thanks, Lori, for making me aware....
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