Comments on: Ack! Miley Cyrus! Ack!

By: Sexting, take two | Adolescent Sexuality by Dr. Karen Rayne

Sexting, take two | Adolescent Sexuality by Dr. Karen Rayne — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:23:43 +0000

[...] I’m hesitant to write about this topic, which is perhaps telling in and of itself. I write about a lot of controversial issues (like when I suggested teenagers should have vibrators if they want them, oh and here too!). But there are few topics where people are as full of vitriol as they are on the topic of pictures of teenagers that in any way imply a sexuality or sensuality. [...]

By: Adolescent Sexuality by Dr. Karen Rayne » Teen arrested for prom dress - no, really

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:28:52 +0000

[...] and adolescent sexuality. In fact, I wonder if this is even news worthy just because of the recent Miley Cyrus fiasco? Or maybe it’s because silly things like this suddenly go viral on the Internet and out of [...]

By: Cadbury

Cadbury — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:38:11 +0000

my problem was with the picture itself - the one that most of the stories have shown

and my own interpretation of it

i don’t have any issue with teen sexuality - as long as it is responsible and safe. on the internet i have seen plenty of pictures of teens - don’t go looking for them - but they are all around. i know the difference in what i see - and it applies to adult women as well

the pictures i have a problem with are like the one of Miley. in that picture she looks like she is hiding - not strong - not confident

like she is clutching the sheet/cloth protectively to herself to keep herself covered

her lipstick appears smeared like she has been kissing - but she is still protecting herself by holding the sheet in that way

she is not making a statement of strong, comfortable, or confident sexuality. and seeing that image - created by a skillful photographer - my mind says the girl needs to be protected. as a male and as a father i want to protect the girl in that picture. the one that was created in that image.

that is the problem i have

if she was standing completely nude with confidence i wouldn’t bat an eye. but the girl in that one picture - i need to protect her

By: Paul Sunstone

Paul Sunstone — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:03:26 +0000

Thank you for your kind words about my post, Karen!

By the way, I thought of you today when I was listening to a radio program that discussed the Cyrus affair. I at first imagined the host would have done well if you had come on the program to offer the audience a more informed view of adolescent sexuality than they seemed to be getting from him.

Then I realized: Of course he isn’t going to invite someone like Karen onto his program, because he does not want a voice of sanity to interfere with his fun and games — with the smug holier than thou self-satisfaction he takes in condemning the poor girl.

You see, Karen, this whole episode has made a cynic out of me. I will of course recover my good cheer in a few days — yet in my opinion the Cyrus affair has revealed an ugly side of our society.