Photo by Ava Lowery

Everyone already knows that Michelle Obama is the coolest lady around.She’s smart, chic, and powerful.The media is practically tripping over itself to compare her to the legendary Jackie O.In fact, Michelle Obama is transforming into a post-feminist fashion icon before our eyes.Yet as distasteful as I find it to dissect Michelle’s wardrobe and hairdos and accessories, I’ve learned to accept that it’s par for the course. She’s an adult woman who has chosen a life in the public eye, and she obviously enjoys expressing herself sartorially, so what’s the big deal?Is there really any harm in debating her edgy election night Narciso Rodriguez frock?

But what about her young daughters Malia and Sasha?Their fashion choices have been almost as well documented as those of their mother.And what will happen when they move into the White House?Will the American media turn their lives into even more of a circus than it already is, a la Prince's William and Harry?What do the next four (or eight) years hold for them?

First, there’s the issue of education. The New York Times published an article about the Obamas’ decision about where to send the girls to school.Apparently, D.C. is atwitter with gossip of where Malia and Sasha will enroll; will it be Sidwell Friends, Maret, Georgetown Day?Oy vey!Why am I privy to any of this? Why is it even newsworthy?The fact that I can rattle off the names of the prep schools that these little girls may or may not be attending is as gross to me as the fact that I can name all of the Jolie-Pitt children (for the record: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, Knox—sigh).Bottom line is, it’s none of our damn business! These are children, not political accessories.They deserve privacy.The media needs to take a big step back and ask itself why the choices Michelle and Barack make for these little girls should be up for national discussion.

But maybe it’s only natural that there’s so much attention on Malia and Sasha.They’re cute, photogenic, and have two of the most interesting people in America for parents.I’m not proposing that journalists ignore their existence.What I propose is a return to decency.

Let’s not fawn over their clothes.They’re ten and seven; they probably don’t even pick their own clothes.Let’s not turn them into national dolls.

Let’s not ever talk about their appearances—it was creepy enough to read an entire article by a legitimate journalist about Michelle’s bum, and she’s a grown woman.As Malia and Sasha mature over the course of their father’s term, this topic needs to be completely off limits.Let’s focus on policy, not prettiness.

Let’s encourage some semblance of normalcy for these girls.Let’s train our national eyes on their dad, not on them.Or let’s watch Britney Spears or Brad Pitt or Jessica Simpson—people who have chosen a life of notoriety.

These girls face a huge challenge.Despite the advantages that will undoubtedly be conferred upon them because of their father’s prominence, they will also be targets.

Chelsea Clinton suffered some cruel blows during the eight years of her father’s term.Rush Limbaugh famously referred to her as the “White House dog.”She was constantly compared to the blonde, lithe Gore daughters; even mild-mannered Mike Myers poked fun of her appearance.Although the mainstream media left her alone for the most part, the level of scrutiny she endured would be intolerable to most teenagers.Puberty is awful enough when you’re just facing your classmates; imagine the entire world watching.

But as uncomfortable as some of the attention must have been, Chelsea was also a trendsetter.The year her father was elected, her name peaked in popularity for babies, becoming the 15^th most chosen name for newborns in America -- the highest position the name Chelsea has ever reached.How’s that for influence?

Most Americans will, indeed, be watching Malia and Sasha.How could we not?Humans are a gossipy species, and that’s okay.But let’s create some boundaries for ourselves by imagining that these girls are our sisters.Would we really want our precious young siblings being gossiped about -- let alone appearing on Hannah Montana?

--Nina Emkin