The New Fairytale
Headline News cycled to “Showbiz Tonight” and an interview caught my attention. They had a clinical psychologist talking about the effects of X-rated news and the success given to today’s notorious celebrities. Elliot Spitzer’s call girl stands to make millions from her accidental encounter with the governor. But it’s not just Ashley Dupree , it’s Paris Hilton who emerged as a celebrity after a sex tape surfaced, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan who stay in the news due to their inappropriate actions. This psychologist stated that the positive news spin for these women was sending the wrong message to our young women. The message is that if you’re attractive, or just sleazy you can succeed. Counter to this clinical psychologist was Michael Cohen an editor with “In-Touch” magazine who scoffed at this being problematic. He went so far as to question if it was even wrong stating, “Who am I to judge?”
I know this is not a new phenomenon, Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts glamorized the life of a prostitute as well as much older stories and movies. But, the question is, “Will this become the new fairty tale?” Do our children believe that a life of glamor and wealth is waiting for young women (and men to a lesser extent) if they are attractive and trashy? Is this what has replaced the old fairy tales of love like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White? Is virtue discarded for vice because it is easier and quicker? Will our little girls grow up dreaming of being a Pretty Woman instead of a Cinderella?-
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