Brazil's 'samba queen' scandal
Is it wrong to let a third grader dance in Rio's famously sexy carnival parade?
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Selfies ban in art galleries: a sign of the times?
Talking Point Priceless art has been damaged by visitors desperate to take a snap with star attractions, leading some galleries and museums to start fighting back
-
Quiz of The Week: 21 – 27 June
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: How do you turn plastics into paracetamol?
Podcast Plus, what is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university?