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.
-
Argos in Cappadocia: a magical hotel befitting its fairytale locationThe Week Recommends Each of the unique rooms are carved out of the ancient caves
-
Is Elon Musk about to disrupt British politics?Today's big question Mar-a-Lago talks between billionaire and Nigel Farage prompt calls for change on how political parties are funded
-
The complaint that could change reality TV for everIn the Spotlight A labour complaint filed against Love Is Blind has the potential to bolster the rights of reality stars across the US
