TV Review: Hannah Montana
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that within the context of silly,
preteen humor, main characters face normal adolescent
challenges: How do I fit in? Will my friends like me if I'm
different? How do I get her/him to notice me? Girls and boys
talk about each other in the context of romantic relationships,
dating, and kissing, but no sex. Tweens will certainly notice
the glitz and glamour of the pop princess, but her actual
appeal is how she faces everyday challenges in this dynamic
part of development. (
Note: The show's fourth and final season is promoted
under the title
Hannah Montana Forever.)
- Families can talk about Hannah's fear that her peers will react differently to her when they find out she's a celebrity. How can we be true to ourselves and also feel like we're fitting in and part of a peer group?
- Why is it important to show respect to others? Do the ways that the characters talk about and react to other girls and boys liv up to that standard?
- Is it realistic for a young girl to have seemingly endless access to clothes and accessories? In what ways is Hannah/Miley's life realistic?
Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) is a 14-year-old trying to live a normal life as a regular kid. She has fallen for a boy in class, works hard for good grades, and has a best friend with whom she shares her deepest secret: that she's also pop star Hannah Montana. Her widowed dad, Robbie (country star Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus's real-life father), doubles as her manager and confidante in many of her teen challenges.
Miley/Hannah lives the dream life of a pop star, but it's her relatable problems during school and everyday social life that make her so likable. She doesn't want to give up either of her worlds and manages (unrealistically) to keep them separate through many humorous close-calls.
Hannah Montana is from the producers of That's So Raven; obviously, Disney knows how to style a show (attractive kids, popular jargon) to appeal to female tweens. While the main characters are all white, there's the usual sprinkling of girls and boys of color to round out the supporting cast.
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Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
Member Comments On...
TV Review: Hannah Montana
1 |
watch Wizards of Waverly Place episodes
4 |
Hello, I would just like to say, My kids love to watch Hanna Montana. It just dont come on tv much anymore, You all should view The show a little bit more.
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