Miley Cyrus

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This is just one example of the false portrayal of the black community in mass media and pop culture; ironically these portrayals tend to influence the actions of young people. According to Professor David Childs of the College of Education and Human Services at Northern Kentucky University, “Cultural studies scholars highlight the phenomenon whereby the actions and behavior of youth are shaped by cultural forces in the sense that the messages from television, film and the music industry tend to play out in the lives of young people.” (Childs, 61) For example, when the news and media portray Black males as violent, many people in society view all Black males as violent. Miley’s performance led to the use of twerking in popular 15 second long videos called vines that are seen in social media. Although it was not necessarily used in a bad way, twerking can be negatively associated with black females with this idea that all black females know how to ‘twerk.’ In reality it’s an idea that is demeaning toward black females and it sends a false message about them. Although this is can be seen done about every race and ethnicity, the media articulates a certain image of African Americans that seems believable to the public and stereotypes are born that falsely portray black people.

Media attention on drug taking by celebrities has been widely acknowledged in recent years; the International Narcotics Control Board has stated that, “celebrity drug offenders can profoundly influence public attitudes, values and behavior towards drug abuse, particularly among young people who have not yet taken a firm and fully informed position on drug issues” (International Narcotics Control Board, 11). There is a concern that young people will model their behavior on celebrity role models thereby increasing the chances that they themselves will indulge in health risk behaviors such as taking drugs. Miley Cyrus can’t go anywhere without causing a scene, and this time in 2013 at MTVs Europe Music Awards in Amsterdam while receiving an award Miley pulled out a joint and lit it in front of thousands of people. Inevitably this sparked some controversy in the media while some argued that her use of drugs in the public was an improper act others simply dismissed it as ‘Miley just being Miley.’ As if this was just a way to get her off the hook, but Miley just being Miley is not a good thing as audiences have seen over time. Some celebrities believe that they should not have to be considered role models for teenagers, Azadeh Aalai from Psychology Today reports on what Miley Cyrus has to say about being a role model, “My job isn’t to tell your kids how to act or how not to act…” (Aalai) However in reality, they have no choice celebrities will constantly have people that are always looking up to them to see how they are doing so they can be like them in one form or another. Miley’s active portrayals of drugs in her music videos, lyrics and performances have the potential to encourage young fans to want to try and experience drugs. Although Miley Cyrus has been accused of wrongfully portraying drugs in her work, she is not alone there are many other celebrities that have drugs related themes in their work which has set a new image for the music industry.

Sexualizing women in the music industry has evolved, it has gone from slightly showing cleavage in the 90s music videos to almost fully nude in 2015. Women performers in the music industry are incredibly sexualized; they are so more than ever before. Researchers from the American Psychology Association found that 57% of music videos included women who were, “portrayed exclusively as a decorative sexual object.” The data derived from a third study showed 37% of women in music videos wore revealing clothing as opposed to 4.2% of men (APA , 2010) These findings indicate the continuation of gender stereotypes and the approval of the objectification and exploiting women for a profit. This kind of portrayal of women in the music industry can be problematic, specifically for younger women who succumb to the false depiction of them. Through this new standard set for women by the music industry, women believe that their bodies are the keys to success. The Clayman Institute for Gender Research claim, “American youth are being sold the concept that women and girls’ value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality…” Miley Cyrus is one of the most accurate representations of sexualizing in the music industry, on her social media sites are countless pictures of her in revealing clothes or seemingly nude not to mention her performance at the VMAs wearing very little. The worship of pop idols that profit from the exploitation of their sexuality and shock-value imagery, perpetuate misconceptions about gender roles through the sexualizing of women in the music industry.

Childhood star Miley Cyrus has shocked the world with her transition from Hannah Montana star to the grown up pop star she is today. Although she is a victim of heavy criticism her work has more than meets the eye. She has ideas of feminism in her music and appearance that convey ideas about equality and self empowerment reflective of today’s issues with women who are still the victims of gender roles. Her cultural appropriations of black culture in her performances speak badly about the black community and further emerge them into stereotypes. Miley’s use of drugs in music videos has shown that the music industry has become more accepting of their use and they unlock the potential for youth to get encouraged into trying drugs. Finally Miley is victim of sexualization in the music industry and exploitation of women for profit which can deliver false ideas about sex and beauty to younger women. Miley Cyrus is not the only celebrity to convey messages and representations of society by any means, there are countless celebrities that incorporate their beliefs and views, about society that can hide powerful messages. Miley Cyrus has been ridiculed countless times for her actions but upon further analysis is it proven that Miley conveys subjects that are relevant to societal views and are not just acts of nonsense.

Works Cited

Aalai, Azadeh. “Being a Role Model Isn’t Always a Choice” Psychology Today. Sussiex Publishers. October 2013.Web.

Cole, E., & Daniel, J. “Featuring females”. Washington, DC: American Psychological

Association. 2010.

Childs, David. “Let's talk about race: Exploring racial stereotypes using popular culture in

social studies classrooms.” Social Studies. July 2014.Web.