Role Models?

As the mother of two teenage daughters, a pastor and the wife of a pastor, I keep a close eye on what "the world" is presenting for my girls (and yours) to "look up to." While I'm rarely shocked anymore (I'm also ex-law enforcement so it takes more than the antics of a misguided teen to bowl me over), I'm frequently saddened by the daily tragedies brought on by fame. Tragedy may seem like a strong word, but if you look at some of the train-wrecks lived out on TV, in magazines and all over the web and being reported on so frequently that start to cringe when you hear so-and-so's name mentioned in a story lead-in, it seems more appropriate.

Think I'm exaggerating? How many of the many faces of Britney Spears did we, the world, see when she was having meltdown after meltdown? How many times did we see parts of Paris Hilton flashing at us as she got out of cars "forgetting" that she wasn't wearing underwear? Lindsay Lohan ... I bet I don't even need to elaborate. Amanda Bynes' breakdown and subsequent extended stay in a psychiatric hospital sure made headlines. It's not just our young ladies either; our male stars have their own public issues ... Justin Bieber in the news for less than great behavior (fights, drugs, spitting on fans from a balcony, urinating in a janitor's mop bucket) so frequently that his mom shared that she was hurt by his behavior. Mel Gibson's career never quite came all the way back from his "off the rails" period. Even the Royal Family isn't immune. Who can forget seeing more of Prince Harry in his infamous Vegas photos than we wanted to?

Miley Cyrus has been providing our "big gasp" moments here of late. From her performance at the VMAs to her latest music video, she's no longer just inching away from her Disney persona; she's running at full speed and it seems like there is no shortage of people who are helping her. Three weeks after her VMA "moment" with Robin Thicke, he finally spoke out about the night, the dance, the image by saying that it was all set in motion to get attention! In an interview with Star Magazine, the 36-year-old performer (and father) said, "We’re entertainers, and the VMAs is the perfect place for a little shock and awe. Yeah, we kind of knew when we were in rehearsal and we were like, ‘OK, if you touch me with your foam finger all over my crotch, obviously a few people are going to have something to say about this.’ But that was the whole point. I mean the whole point was to excite and provoke and entertain. I didn't feel anything sexual about the performance." I wonder if he will explain it away so easily to his son in a few years. His little boy is only three, but can you picture the conversation in a few years?

Julian- Daddy, why was Miley Cyrus rubbing your private parts with a big foam finger and her behind while you sang?

Robin - Well son, we were just trying to entertain everyone. It was all in good fun.

Add on a few more years and the conversation could easily be switched from Robin and his young son to a future Miley and her teenage daughter ...

Future child - What do you mean I can't (wear that in public/go to that party/date that boy)? You weren't much older than I am when you were on the VMAs grinding all over Robin Thicke and groping him!

Miley - Yes honey, but that didn't mean anything. We were just trying to entertain everyone. It was all in good fun.

Terry Richardson is another "helper" for Miley. The controversial fashion photographer directed her "Wrecking Ball" video and is apparently the brain behind the sitting naked on a wrecking ball idea. Apparently, in her mind, showing "naked emotions" equals stripping down to nothing. The scenes with her licking a sledge hammer have yet to be explained.

This is a long way from the 17-year-old Miley that talked so easily about her faith in a 2010 interview. Her saying, "Hopefully, I can influence people and help them follow the same path I am on" then sure does have different meaning now.

If you're interested in postive role models for your kids, take a look at Jamie Grace and Moriah Peters. They're both extremely talented and classy young ladies who believe in baring their HEARTS for God - but not their bodies!

Tags : Jamie Grace Moriah Peters