Super Bowl Halftime Show Was an Insult to Women

Super Bowl halftime shows have run the gamut over the years, ranging from mainstream popular music to the borderline profane.

Yet, last night’s “performance” by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira may very well have taken the annual program to a new low.

The episode featured 15 minutes of gyrating, grinding, and close-up angles of the most intimate parts of a woman’s body. J-Lo and other women pole danced in clothing that left nothing to the imagination.

It was uncomfortable, to put it mildly. If you missed it, you actually didn’t miss anything.

I know of families who went out to dinner during halftime or chose to fast forward through the show. My colleague’s family chose to watch Jeopardy! instead.

My wife and her female friends were understandably upset by the spectacle. They texted each other all throughout the second-half, lamenting how offensive it all was to them.

You may call it a strip tease or softcore pornography, but it was damaging to women.

On the one hand, Hollywood claims to back the “Me Too” movement opposing the sexual exploitation of women.

On the other hand, two female celebrities at the pinnacle of their singing careers performed a sex show on the nation’s highest sports stage.

Dr. Tim Keller once pointed out to me that Jesus was the ultimate liberator of women, actually launching the original “Me Too” campaign two thousand years ago.

Clearly, our culture is confused about what it means to be a strong, liberated woman.

J-Lo and Shakira’s sex-charged performance does not help our boys view women as multi-dimensional image-bearers with souls and minds.

I don’t expect secular purveyors of modern-day “entertainment” to produce content worthy of Sunday school curriculum. But it would be good if those in positions of authority would actually think twice before pushing out content that does the exact opposite of what so many even in their circles claim is needed.

Many of us already feel we work overtime to teach our children to be decent and respectful. Last night’s halftime show highlights once again how important it is for parents to know that their role in shaping their child’s character is more crucial than ever before.