How Women Killed Ladies

Last night one of the biggest spectacles in young pop culture aired: the MTV Video Music Awards. This award show gives out trophies to the biggest pop music stars of the year. The show has become synonymous with shocking performances, and this year was no exception. The biggest headline today from the show was a stripshow performance by former Disney channel star, Miley Cyrus. Now, generally when I reference a video, I post it here so you can see it. I can't do that this time because this clip, which aired on basic cable, bordered on pornographic and had to be "bleeped" for using a slang term for the drug ecstasy. I'll give you the basic facts: she stripped down to nude underwear and began "twerking" on another performer, married father, Robin Thicke. The engaged Cyrus touched all over Thicke's body and even attempted to kiss his neck. She did some other, um, "acts" that I am honestly too embarrassed to describe. It was so graphic that even the audience of controversial artists seemed shocked.

To me, Miley is part symptom and part disease of our culture. The objectification of women, especially in pop culture is nothing new. She is part of the problem. Young female celebrities are perpetuating this idea that all attention is good attention. She promised a shocking performance and she delivered. This morning, she is on all the morning news programs and all over the internet. Mainly, she is being mocked and called all manner of names, but in today's culture, becoming "infamous" is just as important as talent-driven fame. I say she is part of the disease because performances like this spread the sickness of objectification to our young women. She is teaching our young women that this is perfectly acceptable and if you want to be known, you best start stripping down.

I say she is a symptom because she is a product of a movement that began before she was born. The women's rights movement has wreaked havoc in my generation. Somehow the message that women should be equal with men has morphed into "women should use their bodies as a weapon against men." You don't believe me?  Pick up a copy of Cosmopolitan magazine. Considered a handbook for many young women, it is filled with advice encouraging women to "take control of their sexuality." The magazine encourages women to behave like men. That it is a double-standard to say that a man can sleep around, but women should remain chaste or risk being called "trashy". The truth is, there is only one standard, set by God because it is what is best for us.

These issues are filled not only with sex advice, but pages and pages about sexually transmitted diseases and abortion, as if to say "whatever consequence you have for this lifestyle has a solution." They often write about champions of "women's rights", such as lobbyists for Planned Parenthood and politicians who fight for "abortion rights". I was utterly confused by a guide to birth control they included that listed abstinence as neutral in STD protection, saying condoms were more effective. Huh? Their agenda is unbelievably blatant.

In my early 20's I read this magazine but hadn't picked one up again until this past month because I was interested in one of the cover stories. As I flipped through, I was shocked, convicted, and brokenhearted for the young women who would believe the lies it presented. One article in particular stuck out, "Sex on the First Date". It was about how barbaric it was to suggest not sleeping with a guy on the first date. I literally cringed when I read the line, "...old-fashioned expressions like the vile 'why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?' are antiquated and harmful-they produce all this unnecessary anxiety and shame about something normal and natural: dating and sex." This was written by Jeff Wilser (cosmo September 2013 edition). Wow! What a shock-a man suggesting a woman have no-strings attached sex. I'm so impressed with your forward thinking, Cosmo!

This is what the world is telling your daughters and granddaughters. It says that "sex is no big deal. It's just a part of getting to know each other and what better way is there to get to know someone than showing them every piece God gave you?" Although I agree that women and men should be on equal footing, I despise the fact that in the process we have abandoned what it is to be a lady. God created men to be gentlemen and women to be ladies. Sex was meant to be a mystery reserved for our spouse. Your body was intended for your spouse, and your spouse alone. My heart hurts for Miley and all the young women who have bought into these lies. Lord, help us spread the word that we were meant to be more than the object of lust.