Despite protests from child advocates, a Brazilian judge has ruled that 7-year-old Julia Lira can dance as queen of her samba school in Rio's famously erotic carnival parade. One critic said letting a third grader dance beside scantily clad women will promote "a sexual image of children." Julia's parents say that's nonsense — and that their daughter just loves to dance: "Any man who looks at a 7-year-old child and feels any sort of excitement should go see a doctor," says her father, Marco Lira.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
El Palace Barcelona: old-world luxury in the heart of the cityThe Week Recommends This historic hotel is set within a former Ritz outpost moments from the Passeig de Gràcia
-
The best history books to read in 2025The Week Recommends These fascinating deep-dives are perfect for history buffs
-
July 4 editorial cartoonsCartoons Friday’s political cartoons include the danger of talking politics at a family picnic, and disappearing Medicaid entitlements
