Britney Spears sending mixed messages to youth

TEEN STAR Britney Spears has been criticised by American organisation the Centre For Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU). Although the singer speaks in interviews about her Baptist faith and nightly prayers, Spears' "verbalised commitment doesn't mesh with the sexual messages of her visual image" says the CPYU in an article addressing "The 'Spiritual Inconsistency' of Britney Spears." The former Mickey Mouse Club member who sang "Jesus Loves Me" at the audition that won her a recording contract presents "a confusing postmodern mix of spirituality and teasing, schoolgirl sexuality" and "apparently sees little inconsistency between her faith and her view of sexuality" says the CPYU. While acknowledging the talent that has racked up more than 12 million US sales of her first album, 'Baby One More Time', and five million of the follow up, 'Oops...I Did It Again', the organisation questions whether Spears' music is "nothing but innocent fun," and suggests that parents, educators and youth workers should be concerned about her "music, image and influence."
The article cites Spears' reaction to criticism for seductive poses in Rolling Stone - which she dismissed as harmless - as indicative of her mixed messages. It says that her music is "laced with subjectivity," with the songs about love celebrating feeling above all else. Spears' defining marks are also those of the postmodern world, says the CPYU. "First, she emphasises feelings as the authority for determining right and wrong in all matters. Outside authority is denied, and the self becomes sovereign. And second, Spears' feeling-oriented self has determined that there is no inconsistency between speaking out about her Christian faith while immodestly celebrating her sexuality in an ungodly manner."