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Why Britney Matters

Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:54 AM by Noah Oppenheim
Filed Under:

Image: Spears, FederlineWe did a story this morning covering the latest developments in the divorce of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline.  It’s a sordid mess, and frankly, gives many an icky feeling. 

Spears has gone from multi-talented, international superstar to a sad punch line, her life the model of a celebrity implosion.  Federline has been a punch line from the start, which makes it doubly alarming that he’s starting to appear the more responsible half of the former couple.

Of course, it’s fair to ask… What makes any of this news?  Why should anyone care what happens to these wealthy, foolish people?

First, for the millions who admired Spears as a performer, there is an understandable interest in how an outwardly successful woman could so rapidly decline into a pattern of behavior more commonly associated with the struggling fringes of society.  The “fall from grace” is a legitimately fascinating narrative arc, and one Spears is taking to new extremes.

Second, Spears is just the latest illustration of how early fame appears to fundamentally corrupt many of the child stars who enjoy it.  What does it say that we now look at talented young performers and actually expect they'll grow into self-destructive addicts?

Finally, you may not care how far Spears ultimately falls – she is an adult with nearly unlimited resources and the freedom to make better choices.  But there are two innocent toddlers caught in this mess.  I have no insight into what goes on behind closed doors, but there seems to be ample evidence that Spears is not a frontrunner for Mother of the Year.  If someone who wasn’t wealthy or famous behaved in the same fashion, what steps would be taken to ensure their children were safe?

Britney vs. K-Fed is hardly a matter of great national import.  But it does raise some questions about our society that are worth pondering.

Noah Oppenheim is a Senior Producer of TODAY.
 

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Comments

Britney maybe very succesfull as an artist, but necessarily the same when it comes to family values.  I hope she will recognize that she needs help and at the moment she needs her ex-husband to raise his two boys.

grace,ct (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:16 AM)

Britney is making K-Fed look very good as a parent figure right now. For all the grief he caught when he left Shar Jackson pregnant to be with Britney you have to admit she is making him look like the father of the year right now. I think she needs to get her priorities (which right now are boozing and men!!!) together before she tries to be a parent. Let Kevin raise those boys until Britney herself grows up...

Mother of 5 (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:35 AM)

KFed is probably as bad a father. He didn't need to smear Britney, but did so for the money. He now makes $30 grand a month to raise two kids, and has filed papers to get substantially more.

Sorry, but he is not a fit parent. He is a parasite.

Charity (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:40 AM)

Britney, Paris, Lindsey.  These are examples of too much too soon leading to a sense of entitlement and superiority.  The same thing happens in professional atheletics.  I have to ask, Where are their parents? Where were their parents, long before the situation reached this level.  I believe all of these girls are victims of their parents living vicariously through them, caring more about the paycheck they earn than the values they are developing, or a lack of commitment to raising emotionally healthy children.  There are examples of performers who have early success and yet lead responsible lives as adults. It is newsworthy as a warning to all parents who over indulge their children at the cost of teaching them responsible behavior. Unfortunately, that isn't the story the media presents.

Claire, OP,KS (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:43 AM)

Britney is the girl next door.  The girl many of us grew up watching and listening to.  She's that success story of someone who came from basically nothing and nowhere and "made it big!"  There's this little part of most of us that want to know how the "other half" live, and when we actually see that they make mistakes, have tough times, and are scrutinized (the way we all feel we are in our lives) we kind of like that.  It's sort of a guilty pleasure to watch the ones on top--fall straight to the bottom.  It's not something we would all admit--but deep down it's the truth.

Van, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:47 AM)

Where are the "famous" people when they are needed? Drew Barrymore, Brooke Shields,
She needs help and people who have been there need to step up and help her.

Lisa Columbus Ohio (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:47 AM)

Britney Spears has two beautiful children, and is the mother of those children. She should be given a chance to raise those children. Britney Spears, I love her music, I love her dancing, and her videos.She is an inspiration. God Bless.

Elizabeth Vagi Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:49 AM)

Maybe if we stopped paying attention to them, they would grow up.  I have a little boy and my heart breaks for those two little ones.  They are suffering with these two loser parents.  You're right...if they weren't famous...the Division of Youth and Family in ANY state would have custody of these children!

Cathleen, Macungie PA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:57 AM)

Britney, Lindsey and Paris they all need to grow up and take responsibilities for their action

htorres NJ (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:58 AM)

IT IS TOO BAD THE KIDS ARE BEING USED AGIST EACH OTHER I AM A DAD WHO WAS RECENTLY REFORMED FROM DRUDGS OF ALL KINDS AND ULTIMATLY JAIL THEN THERE WAS C.P.S AND THEN THERE WAS I.P.S WHEN I GOT OUT OF JAIL I HAD THE CLOTHS ON MY BACK AND THAT WAS IT AND FROM JAIL I WENT TO A HALF WAY HOUSE AND THEN FROM THERE I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE THE VICTEM WAS MY GIRLFRIEND AND MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AND I MADE THE CHOICE TO STAY CLEANE AND IT DOES HAVE TO COME FROM WITHIN AND I SLOWLY STARTD TO PROGRESS THIS WAS NEARLY 3-4 YEARS AGO AND NOW COMEING FROM HAVEING TO NOW HAVEING A VERY NIUCE LIFE WITH A VERY A LOVEING FAMILY ALL I AM TRYING TO SAY I GUESS IS DO WHAT EVER YOU WANT BUT LEAVE THE KIDS OUT OF I BECAUSE ULTIMATLY THEY ARE THE ONES WHO GET HURT THE WORST.
1 MORE THING RIGHT ON FOR K-FED FOR STEPPING UP.

RANDALL MURPHY (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:00 AM)

Britney Spears is a total mess and needs to be off the street, preferably in a rehab for at least 3 months so she can get her "act together". Someone in her family, most likely her mother, needs to take custody of her kids and raise them until she gets help and can raise them herself. I don't think that Kevin sets a good example either because he is not exactly an angel himself. They need to be in the hands of responsible mature adults.

Camille M. Warring, Beltsville, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:01 AM)

I think we have all had enough of Britney. She has had her 15 minutes of fame plus. Let`s move on and say good bye, she is yesterday`s news. She needs to concentrate on her children, she gave birth now it is time to be a mother not a party girl.

Ed Pekarovich Pontiac, IL. (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:09 AM)

"Multi-talented?" Britney Spears? Where are people getting this impression? Certainly not from her past body of "work," I hope. Perhaps the "icky feeling" many get from the public spectacle of this woman's life has more to do with embarrassment at having labeled her a practitioner of "artistry" in the first place. Fascination with her (at best) marginal, sordid talent has now shifted to her marginal, sordid life. What's new in in America?

Cade La Quinta, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:11 AM)

Britney is a narcissistic, self centered, egomaniac and needs to get help.  The lives and welfare of those two innocent children are at stake and she doesn't seem to care.  She cares that she is seen and stays in the spotlight, doing whatever it takes to do so.  I don't feel sorry for her and I don't feel sorry for Kevin Federline.  He has stood by and watched his children be neglected for some time, and what parent would allow that w/out taking action immediately?  It is disgusting behavior on all fronts.

Susan, Bethesda, MD (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:15 AM)

Maybe she doesn't know any better.  There should be a book that contains the rules about how to be a proper adult.  Maybe we can get William Benett to write it.  There are many other people who also need to get the word.

fsilber, Memphis, TN (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:17 AM)

brittany needs to take parenting classes. she needs to decide if she still wants to be an entertainer or a normal person. if she wants to entertain, then she should stop prancing around the country and get back into the studio and start working. if she keep up her current lifestyle no one will want to hire, or work with her. her reputation is slowly going down the dirt road. she needs to get it together, and quickly. the best thing she can do for her children is set a good and moral example of what life is all about. there is nothing wrong with a mom that works hard for a living. when the boys get older they will realize she does this so they can be a family, and will instill in them, the habits they can use when they become adults.

linda sutton dearborn heights, mich (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:18 AM)

"If someone who wasn’t wealthy or famous behaved in the same fashion, what steps would be taken to ensure their children were safe?"

Sadly, I think the answer to that question is that NO steps would be taken if Britney wasn't famous.  No one would know or care about her bad behavior.  Ordinary people behave like Britney every day - it just doesn't make the papers.  If she was still in her hometown and had never become famous, and was having these kinds of behavioral and family issues, it would be dealt with by her family.  She would have to be doing a lot more serious stuff for the state to step in and take her kids.  Don't get me wrong - I think it is appalling what people get away with doing to children.  But I used to work in a mental health center, and I have seen it all.  The authorities in my state will not remove children from the home unless they are practically being beaten to death.  At least these children have nannies to see that their basic needs are met while their parents are out partying and doing who-knows-what.  Countless others are pitifully impoverished, abused and neglected every day, all over the country, and no one does a thing.

Angela Sogol, Cottondale, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:21 AM)

I actually feel bad for Britney. She loved Kevin and we all know that. He broke her heart. I realize she needs to be a more responsible person. How would we all like our hearts broken and looking in our childs face seeing the person we love. Its not easy for anyone.  

Deby G - Phillipsburg, New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:21 AM)

I've said this a million times on various message boards regarding these talentless, celebrity twits:  It is US, the masses, who have made them what they are.  Stop buying the records, the movies, the products, whatever vehicle they use to peddle themselves and they will have nothing.  It is us who spends the money to support this crap that drives it to where it is.  People wake up and start living your OWN lives and doting on your OWN kids the way you do these stupid celebrities.  Once the money flow dries up, these idiots have nothing and they will see that they are not all they think they are.

SB, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:41 AM)

I think Britney's problem is that she is spoiled. She had a beautiful talent, and she let it go to waste. Not by having kids, but by expecting the world to throw itself at her feet and wait on her hand and foot. There are many celebrities who are able to raise a family and still function as normal human beings. My advice to Britney: Grow up and take responsibility for your actions! It's not too late to start loving those adorable babies God blessed you with.

Sarah, Presque Isle, Maine (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:42 AM)

Kevin is an egotistical parasite

Paul, WA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:57 AM)

She Does? To her kids yea, etc...her mother....maybe..
But to the rest of the world? Outside of the media?  I have no idea why any of this matters to anybody else. Or why we have this insaitable need for rediculous amounts of information on  celebrities or for that matter politicians is beyond me . There ARE more important matters going on in the world

Bill Baker,Rochester,NY (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:07 AM)

Britney was simply one in a long line of talentless celebrities.  The girl is pretty, no question.  And she can dance and looks great in almost anything-- at least she used to.  But, a singer?  I think not.  If she's a singer, then I'm President Bush.   It's sad that she has two beautiful little boys caught in the midst of her hurricane.  

Marla, NJ (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:16 AM)

I am so tired of this and I am tired of e-mailing "legitimate" news organizations about stories about this girl.  I give her, her publicist, agents and managers an Oscar for keeping this storyline going.  First Britney as pop star, then actress, then perfume girl, then sex symbol, then Justine's girl, then the break-up, then the pregancy, then the marriage to K'Fed, then "is she a fit mother Part I", then the second pregnancy, then "is she a fit mother Part II, then the divorce, then the party girl, then she shave her head, then the concert, then the dancing without panties, then the new man in Britney's life, then the disappearance of the new man in Britney's life, then she's feuding with her mother, now the child custody.  Need I continue? Stick a fork in her, she's done.

M Bostic, Dallas, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:17 AM)

The world has very serious problems and Britney and her personal problems and not one of them......

Devon McCoy Austin, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:18 AM)

If they don't publish it, maybe they won't make so very much to think they can do whatever they want.  These young starlets think they are above everyone, it is time they learn, they are not---Take Spears kids away from both parents and place them in a happy home---Don't give Linsley any more films or acting gigs, maybe she will learn, Paris, make her work at a medial job and not give her the moneys.  Material things has not hurt my kids and it won't hurt them.  Keep them out of the lime light, and don't let the younger kids see this and try to be like them.

S. Good--St.Petersburg-Fl. (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:26 AM)

i love brit

J, Mass (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:26 AM)

I am a mother of four who enjoyed listening and going to Britney's concerts.  I truly feel sorry for her.  She is a total mess and obviously needs help.  I am sure she trusts no one...but maybe someone like Christina Aguilera, who went through her own rough time, could get through to her.  I think there are a lot of us that are hoping she will get back on the right track....just not a lot that will admit it publicly.  And by the way, as parents, we all make mistakes....just most of us don't have a camera in our face 24/7 to capture it and sell it to the tabloids.

a fan,phoenix,az (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:36 AM)

There is no way Britney will lose her children over poor behavior and judgement. Look at Micheal Jackson, he dangled his baby over a railing several stories high and no one rushed in and took away his child.  She would have to do much worse than what she has done.  Neglect? Not with a nanny around.  If she abused them, totally different.

jade,Mobile,AL (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:10 PM)

Children as we speak are being abused by there parents. Children are returned to parents with a history of abuse everyday. Why are we making a huge deal when it comes to Brittany and her parenting skills! Does she hit the kids? Does she burn them with cigaretts and lock them in closet? Does she not feed her kids?
Everyday in America some children go through that, and nobody helps, even when it is reported.. I have listened to everything that has gone on in the Brittany and Kevin custody battle, and I can't find one thing that would make Brittany lose custody. I do feel that she needs help, and needs to get herself together, but to take her kids away... I think that would cause the death of Brittany Spears.  Every parent has made some mistake while raising a child, but we are not followed, filmed or put across the TV for america to view and judge.... Why don't we just leave her alone!...

mother of 5, MN (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:20 PM)

Spears is testerday, let's move on to today and subjects/individuals of real interest.

Vancouver BC (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:22 PM)

We are getting all the information from the media and paparazzi...remember that these people need to make money.  They are going to put anything into their stories to sell it. We only see Britney from the camera lenses that are constantly in her face from the minute she walks out her front door, until the time she walks back in.  We all know that Federline was a gold digger from the beginning, and now it seems as though he's believing the media and pap as well.  Shame on the media for starting and continuing the frenzy, and shame on Federline for not getting his own job.

A.Marie (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:23 PM)

You know what? We all have our own problems. Who really cares about her, or her husbands/boyfriends, or her dogs, or her kids? I'm too worried about taking care of my family, paying bills and buying food while prices keep going up and my paycheck doesn't. Poor little rich girl can't get her act together? Too bad. If her kids are suffering, then someone should take her to court and get custody of them or put them in foster care.

Amanda, Philadelphia PA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:23 PM)

You people keep saying grow up grow up grow up but what does that really mean. I dont believe these celebutants have the tools necessary to GROW UP. Where is education in their formula? Heck Brittney has millions of dollars and a house in Malibu next to one of the most prestigious universities in california. She should help herself and spend some of her time and money on developing her brain. Get an education and then at least she will have some credibility. Maybe it will give her a chance to ressurect your career. Knowledge is power.

JonnyDingle California (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:26 PM)

I am disgusted with Britney's lack of mothering skills.  She is doing this all in the eye of America.
Shame on us for not helping these boys.  A woman is not a mother just because she can give birth.  This girl is messed up and does not deserve to have these beautiful, innocent, souls in her moraless world!

wendy mother of 7, bozeman, montana (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:27 PM)

Wow, when it comes to Brittney I dont even know what to say she was such a beatiful and talented girl to woman and now she looks like and acts like she is fresh out of the trailer park.  It breaks my heart.  That girl could of owned the world.   I think until Brittney get's her head on straight Kevin should raise the kids.  Brittney is obviously going through some issues right now and she needs to let someone in to help her.  

Michelle P Redding, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:29 PM)

I am sure there are hundreds of children all over the United States in much more danger than Britney's children.  She is just like any other young girl who had children too young, but unlike most, she lives under a microscope.  She should just be left alone and her family should worry about the kids, not the whole country.

Beck, Clarskburg, WV (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:31 PM)

Britney is a spoiled, overly-indulged GROWN-UP who needs to be held accountable for her actions.  I don't feel sorry for her; she knows what she is doing.  She disrespects herself, and in doing so, disrespects her children.  What a waste.

Katie, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:36 PM)

I'm in my forties and for the most part listen to comtemporary Christian music. Something about Britney makes me listen to her music and read news about her. I pray for her because I think she's "lost" The only reason Kevin "seems" to be the better parent is because he's now on the "gravy train" and doesn't need to work anymore; he can just sit around and appear to be a great dad while collecting Britney's money. She's young and I'm sure she doesn't trust too many people. How would any of us behave in her circumstances? It's easy to judge but try walking in her shoes. Hang in there Britney; give Jesus His chance to put your life back on the right path. Your children love you and I know, as a mother too, that you do love your children. Let the press say what they will; they always do; just ignore them and YOU do what's right.

K.M., Norwalk, OH (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:38 PM)

We should require mandatory IQ test that someone must pass before being allowed to have children.

Richard, Elkton MD (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:39 PM)

Why are people praising Kevin?  Were are his other two children, what kind of father is he to them?  Seems this is all about the money.

Sarah, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:43 PM)

In response to the comment made about other celebrities stepping up to help Britney...I couldn't disagree more.  It's not THEIR responsibility to get her back on track.  That's something Britney is responsible for and no one else.  

June, Lancaster, PA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:47 PM)

I have a solution for Britney that I know will help her, but I'm sure she won't follow (it will work for Lindsay too).
For Brit, let your Mama take your little boys for six months. Then take yourself to an Order called the Daughters of Charity. It's the religious order of women that Mother Teresa founded on the streets of Calcutta. Put on their white habits and walk the streets where the forgotten and the hungry and the dirty live. Wash them. Help feed them. Comfort the dying babies.
And after six months, move back to the States, settle down in the country and take an assumed name. Write music. Raise your boys. And think about how you can use your experience in music and life to make the world a better place.

Kathy Dalton (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:48 PM)

I think I'm with the majority when I say I'm sick and tired of hearing about these celebs and their problems. But what frustrates me more than the celebs themselves is the general public. We buy into the stories, we keep up with there lives, hell, so many of us are so superficial in todays world we try to emulate as best we can. It's not just Brittany either, for example the Iraq War was put on the backburner for nearly a whole month when Anna Nicole Smith died, condolences to her family and friends; but I don't need to hear about which three men in her life could be her baby's daddy. I just feel the American society as a whole has lost there moral compass, and have forgotten about what matters most in life. If there were as many people interested in our government, economical, enviromental issues as there are that read the tabloids, gossip magazines, and watch E! we'd be much better off. But unfortunately, as a whole our priorities are no longer straight.

Sam, CS, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:50 PM)

There is no riding the fence any more. Britney: PRAY FOR LOVE, FORGIVENESS,PEACE, CHARACTER, AND THE ABILITY TO FORGIVE! Everything else in life is meaningless!

TM, IL (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:51 PM)

Britney does not matter - at least to no one outside of her immediate circle of family and friends.  The rest of us don't need her or others like her to live our normal lives, be they happy or not.  If it wasn't her grabbing headlines it would be someone else and we would all manage to fill the gap left by her absence from the media.

Karen, Washington DC (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:52 PM)

This is what happens when teen pop stars do not get an education. Their minds are vast wastelands. Yes, Britney can sing and dance but she has no real understanding of the performing arts. I meet Britney in 2000 and she was a real cute sweet girl, with strong family ties. She should have gone to college, studied music and the arts. I think that we would be looking at a much different Britney now. Alot of teen stars do go to college or study online. It makes a big difference in their lives. I hope Britney wakes up soon that she is not the cute popteen star anymore and is a mother and should be a role model for other singers. Good luck Britney!

Joanne Deutch,Lenox,MA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:53 PM)

I believe the papparazzi has a lot to do with her behavior and of course the drugs, men her overall,lifestyle and who she associates with.  She placed herself in this position and she just isn't logical.  Based upon what I have read in these emails, we are all saying the same thing:  1) change who she associates with  2)no more drugs 3) intervention from her family, otherwise she will be sorry for the rest of her entire life explaining to her children after they have become adults what she did when she was much younger. Ignoring her isn't the right thing to do at this time.  I have never in my 59 years have seen starlets like this act this way.  There were a few women/men who had their problems, but they did not continue to embarrass their families.

Connie Wilkerson, Pembroke Pines, FL (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:54 PM)

I don't see the attraction, a lot of the these "stars" are just duplicates of each other. No one is original any more - music, looks, etc... Does anyone think they be talked about or their music listened to in 10 years?

Jesse, San Antonio TX (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:56 PM)

Few people are addressing the question posed here: why do we care?  I think the answer is that we are all trying to get our money's worth.  We talk about celebrities and how this fame and money does such and such to them, but it is us empowering them by paying attention and, yes, money.  We've all invested something in Britney Spears (whether it be buying her albums or "reading" the article about her in Rolling Stone when she was on the cover) and now we want to see the big finale.  Their wealth and fame would deteriorate if we could pry ourselves away from the screen/tabloid.  On a side note, to accuse Britney of being an unfit mother might be just accusation, but I asure you that those two toddlers have a larger staff than most of us ever will at our jobs.  The extraordinarily wealthy do not raise their own children, that's plebian stuff.  The toddlers have a crew of professionals attending to their every need.

Roger Bates (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:57 PM)



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