 TEENAGE girls would rather be sexy than clever, according to a new book which blames celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears for the phenomenon.
| Whoa. When did that start? |
Carol Platt Liebau, a leading political commentator in the US and the first female managing editor of Harvard Law Review, warned young women were being taught to believe "sexy" equates to empowered. The author said "promiscuity and sexual aggression" were now being seen as the only way to achieve admiration. And she suggested girls now competed for attention based on how much they were sexually willing to do for boys. Women's groups last night also warned that the sexualisation of young girls was making them increasingly vulnerable.
| Thus it's always been. The lusty peasant wenches have always outnumbered the ladies of culture and refinement. The advantage women have today is that they're free to decide which group they're going to belong to. |
Ms Liebau's book, Prude: How The Sex-Obsessed Culture Damages Girls, blames the music and videos of Spears, Aguilera and Lil' Kim, as well as films such as Cruel Intentions, for making teenagers value sexuality above all else. She said: "The overwhelming lesson teenagers are now learning from the world around them is that being 'sexy' is the ultimate accolade, trumping intelligence, character and all other accomplishments. In a culture that celebrates Paris Hilton [and] thong underwear, there's scant modesty or achievement that isn't coupled with sex appeal. Girls are being led to believe that they're in control when it comes to sexual relationships.
| I'm as impressed with Paris Hilton's achievements as the next man, but I'm also capable of assessing her value to society. I do hope she's not under the illusion the fellows admire her for her mind. |
"But they're actually living in a profoundly anti-feminist landscape where girls compete for attention on the basis of how much they are sexually willing to do for the boys. And living in an overly sexualised culture takes a toll on girls." |