Kudos to the writer who titled this article: Snookie’s Cleavage Dilemma.
Though the “headline” is absurdly ridiculous, I had to click and read what I knew would be an equally ridiculous article. It did not disappoint. Snookie’s cleavage problem definitely falls in to the “bad news” category; so much so, that it kept me awake for part of the night thinking about it.
The article highlights Snookie’s recent weight loss and the unfortunate side effect of smaller breasts, which sadly, no longer spill out over the front of her cleavage-bearing shirts. Now her breasts only pop out of the top of her… tops. Snookie is unsatisfied, but she isn’t letting the issue get her down. With her best friend, JWOWW by her side, Snookie has plans to get implants to help get her breasts back to the fabric-stretching size and perky-ness they once were.
*palm slap to forehead*
The bad news here, is that this is news. I have nothing against Snookie being disappointed with her smaller breast size and wanting to get implants. Every woman has desired standards for her body and has a right to do with her body what she wills. It’s a personal choice. And therein lies the problem. This is not public news… it needs to remain private and within Snookie’s private circle of friends and family.
We wonder why our teenage girls (and even pre-teeners and “tweeners”) are having body-image issues. This article serves as an example of why. It broadcasts yet another message that girls need to strive to be skinny and large-chested. It says, “Snookie is not satisfied with her body even though she’s skinny and beautiful. I want to be like Snookie, so if she’s not happy yet, then I guess I’m not either. I’ll have to work harder like Snookie to look perfect.” The fact that this issue makes entertainment news means it’s newsworthy to a young person. Labeling cleavage issues as a “dilemma” is dangerous. Teenage girls listen to this stuff. We hear the statistics all the time about young girls and eating disorders, depression, and the quest to look like their favorite stars.This article says to a girl, “I am not good enough.”
Look, I am not bashing Jersey Shore or Snookie or reality shows or anything. I’m just saying, we need to be responsible about broadcasting certain information. The casts of these shows know who their fans are, so they need to be responsible about what message they send through their actions and words. Snookie, the Kardashians, the Hiltons, etc. influence young minds, so they need to be careful.
Like I said, Snookie’s cleavage news is definitely something we should worry about… it’s sending the wrong message to our young girls about what’s important in life, how they should feel about themselves, and the physical standards they should strive for.
On another note: I’d like to offer some perspective on Snookie’s cleavage being a “dilemma” or a “problem”:
- 30 million people in Eastern Africa are suffering from famine.
- Hundreds of thousands of young children in our country are being kidnapped and forced into sex-trafficking.
- In parts of Africa, there is an entire generation of parents dying from aids leaving young children to fend for themselves.
- Our neighbors down the street are struggling to put food on the table.
These are dilemmas. These are problems we need to worry about. You know, I am not a huge fan of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, two stars who also influence young minds, but I have to give them props for using their platform of “star-power” to bring awareness and relief to national and international crisis’. I’d love to see more of that from some of the MTV and E! stars our teenagers admire so much.
Your point is right on. But it also shows that we have to work harder as parents to filter these types of messages and shows. Also, work harder to teach our girls (and boys) about a healthy body image.
On another note, I am curious about how much traffic this post will get based on the headline alone. LOL
Absolutely! I thought the same thing. That’s part of what kept me up during the night. As a parent, not only will I have to protect my kids from issues like cyber-predators and cyber-bullies, but also the crazy societal expectations to be perfectly thin, voluptuous, talented, well-liked, etc., etc. And that’s just on the internet! Don’t get me started on what they will face in school. It makes my mind spin. You hear the saying “It takes a village to raise a child,” but I’d rather my “village” promote natural talents, education, embracing self-confidence and worth, and making the world a better place. But I digress, it’s just not the reality. So I, along with other parents, will have to work extra hard to be my children’s advocate, protector, teacher, and motivator. I love my kids so much and believe in them wholeheartedly, so I accept the challenge.