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We see her onstage imitating fellatio, simulating sex with older men, and masturbating with a giant hand. We giggle or gasp or frown. Feminists say it's just a woman expressing herself and are pleased. Those with solid moral standards dismiss her behavior as slutty. Some men (especially father's with daughters) are shocked; some men, those who appreciate a chance to objectify women, are gratified.
Why isn't anyone asking the obvious question? Is Miley Cyrus' behavior a result of having been sexually abused?
Sexually abused girls, with their lowered sense of self worth and their skewed view of sexuality, tend to act out. They sleep around. They use sex for attention, or as a means to be loved. They have so little sense of worth that they believe how others view their body defines their value. Or they act out as a means of having control. Sound familiar?
You can hear the stories of those who have been abused from Oprah or Johnnette Benkovic. Or check out support groups for those who were victims of sexual predators. They all say the same thing: Their abuse resulted in promiscuity, which reinforced their low view of themselves.
Miley might have given us a clue when she labeled her congregation as hypocrites. Was her abuser someone she trusted? A youth minister? A member everyone else viewed as especially holy?
She also got into drugs. Sexually abused minors often turn to drugs to numb the pain and humiliation of what they've gone through.
There are so many clues pointing to this young woman's possible abuse, but our culture is so fixed on objectifying women that we're ignoring the obvious. From the media's emphasis on women as sexual objects to our politicians' push for sexually active minors, we're making it easier for abuser. Abortions for 12-year-olds without parental notification? A predator's dream come true. No awkward questions. No proof.
Is this young woman really enjoying herself? Or is she crying out for help?
We don't know, because no one has asked the question.
I have been asking this question, but I am in no position to have the question answered. I pray for her each time I see her acting out. My heart go out to her. I am so happy that you posted this. I found it through a Google search, but I wish I found it earlier. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteyes fr. mathew i knew from the very start she acted like slutty they call it is that she's a victim of some sort of abuse and that it's her way crying out and because of her career she can't voice it out i think her abuser is some kind of an influential person.. i ache for her everytime she got criticize and judged by those people who didnt even bother to ask why is she acting like that..
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ReplyDeleteMaybe she was sexually abused/raped by a producer/director/executive at Disney? And possibly may have been a woman and not a man?
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ReplyDeleteI came across the same way as Fr Phelan, and I also want to add that I see a need for control over things, in the being bothered that people get disturbed by how she treats her body when she is not new to the whole public eye. Which also points to the same thing. I pray for her too and sincerely hope things will start getting better soon. It's so tragic people find enjoyment and even gratification in other people's misfortunes instead of caring! But consuming and absolrbing nothing but hurt, hate and destruction from animal products through food, drink, as well as society and so on, will do that. Society needs to relearn that basic respect, humanity, decency and using your heart and brain are concepts that are not only not laughable but necessary, vital and crucial.
ReplyDeleteI came across the same way as Fr Phelan, and I also want to add that I see a need for control over things, in the being bothered that people get disturbed by how she treats her body when she is not new to the whole public eye. Which also points to the same thing. I pray for her too and sincerely hope things will start getting better soon. It's so tragic people find enjoyment and even gratification in other people's misfortunes instead of caring! But consuming and absolrbing nothing but hurt, hate and destruction from animal products through food, drink, as well as society and so on, will do that. Society needs to relearn that basic respect, humanity, decency and using your heart and brain are concepts that are not only not laughable but necessary, vital and crucial.
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