Britney Spears Mania; Harmless Fun Or A Dangerous Image?

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By By Keith Eldridge

Summary

As the pop princess performed before a sell-out crowd Wednesday night in Tacoma, some adults wonder what kind of image she is setting for her young fans.

Story Published: May 29, 2002 at 9:26 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 28, 2009 at 1:47 PM PDT

Britney Spears Mania; Harmless Fun Or A Dangerous Image?
TACOMA - You can see it in the way they walk.

You can hear it in the way they sing.

You especially can see it in the way they dress.

Fans want to be just like Britney.

The former Mouskateer is now one of the country's top teen idols, selling out her 'Dream Within A Dream' tour appearance at the Tacoma Dome.

Fan Lindsay Carter says, "She's a good singer, very pretty, she has the hottest boyfriend in the world."

"She's a good dancer and she's pretty and she's a good role model," says another fan, Linda Smith.

Is it harmless fun, or a dangerous road to follow?

Psychologists fear young girls will judge themselves against Britney's physical appearance.

Pediatric psychologist Dr. Jeff Gillman says, "They become minimized in terms of their own significance in their own eyes and start to believe that they are lesser than what they really can be if they don't meet this particular persona when they look in the mirror."

"I just like her," says one fan. KOMO 4 News asked "Do you want to be like her and do you want to dress like her?" The answer was simple, "yes I want to be like her. Some of her outfits, no (I wouldn't wear.) But most of them them, yeah."

Parent Mark Rice says, "We've talked about it quite a bit and there are certain things that she wants to do that Britney does and I think as long as the parents keep it in perspective."

Outside the concert at the Tacoma Dome Wednesday night little 9-year-olds are all wearing make-up, something their parents talked about. Parent Laura Reynolds says, "This type of clothing and makeup is appropriate for here only, but not at home and not to school."

Psychologists say it's important that if parents are going to encourage the 'Britney' look, they also need to encourage academics, sports, and community service. They say this can be fun as long as it's kept in balance.