From one mum to another: Living in a Miley Cyrus world

“I’m my own person… I go to the beat of my own drum.” -Miley Cyrus

If you’re like me, then you feel concerned about the constant unhealthy messages that our daughters get about their bodies. It seems they are under a lot more pressure than we were at their age, as hard as that seemed at the time!

On one hand, the body is idolised, and they end up enslaved to an elusive body image. On the other hand, the body is cheapened, and they end up giving it away so easily. The world keeps encouraging sexual experimentation, whether by clothing or sexting or experience, and it seems to be getting more blatant.

Five years ago, you could tell the girls working at Kings Cross by their clothes—cleavage, tiny shorts, fish-net stockings and high heels. Now the ‘hooker’ look is mainstream teenage fashion. Not so long ago, it was a compliment to say someone was ‘pretty’, but now even preschool girls want to be ‘hot’.

It’s confusing for teenagers living in a Miley Cyrus world. That’s why 1 Corinthians 5-7 is so powerful and insightful. It reminds us of whom our bodies belong to (6:13,19-20). The Corinthians assumed ‘I have the right to do anything’ (5:17), but Paul says that what we do with our bodies matters.

And that’s why, although I felt old, it was wonderful to be part of the first EQUIP Teens Conference last weekend.

It felt just like EQUIP (insightful talks, inspiring music, creative interviews), but all the delegates were in Years 8-10 and the talks drew illustrations from some unexpected sources!

With plenty of Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, Annabel Nixey explained that our bodies belong to God, and that should affect every decision we make.

Reflecting on Modern Family, Meredith Twedell explored whether God is anti-gay.

And using a brilliant metaphor of the ‘status ladder’, Talar Khatchoyan explained to the girls that dating is not everything and dating is not nothing.

I came away very encouraged—not only seeing the calibre of new speakers (all current or recent students at Moore College), but seeing the next generation of EQUIP women!

EQUIP have a set of Bible studies designed for mothers to do with their teenage daughters, plus some for groups and individual use, on 1 Corinthians 5-7.

To order the talks from EQUIP women or Teens, contact Matthias Media Australia or Matthias Media USA.