Argentina: Where News is Clothing-Optional

News media outlets around the world (Gawker and The Daily Mail both covered the story, as did the newspaper where I work - The Argentina Independent) have been going nuts over the "scandal" that started the week of on Argentina's version of Dancing with the Stars.

Really?

Cintia Fernández, a "model" (I really don't even know what her claim to fame is. Do a Google Image search for her, but beware, just a tad NSFW), is known for wearing barely-there costumes and frolicking about topless after her dance numbers end. Monday night she kicked off the "Strip Dance" round - yes, Bailando por un Sueño considers striptease a respectable rhythm - with a Greco-Roman inspired skankfest. In the last few seconds of the routine (after she was bathed in a jug of wine by her partner) she somehow managed to take off the last tiny piece of clothing she had on and was left standing totally naked in front of a live tv audience. Check out the video if you're so inclined.

Later she blamed this wardrobe "malfunction" on the wine that got in her eyes but lots of people think she did it on purpose - after all, she's not known for her modesty. Regardless, it's been interesting to see the backlash both here and at home. Bailando por un Sueño is a show that is on basic cable 4 nights a week, dominating the ratings and raking in millions of viewers. Hours a day are dedicated to the program and many families eat dinner with the show on in the background.

Anyone who has been to Buenos Aires knows that female nudity isn't as taboo as it is at home. Men's magazines litter the kiosks that are on every street corner, with huge silicone breasts at a very convenient eye level, women of all ages at the beach prance around with little bikini bottoms that show off their almost-always perfect butts (really, what is in the water here?), and in general they're much less Puritanical than we are. I can deal with that, if you've got it, flaunt it ... Todo bien. But there's a line that needs to be drawn. To make a comparison: When Miley Cyrus was photographed by Annie Leibovitz a few years back, people were appalled, begging her to "see herself as a role model for young girls." And it's true - so many pre-adolescents and young girls look up to her and are highly impressionable. But showing a little back is nothing compared to what my eyes soak up on a daily basis here.

Take a look at this screen shot taken from InfoBae - an online news source - and you'll see what I mean. This is "normal" - Women posing in thongs and showing their cleavage in photos that aren't always relevant to the story. It's ridiculous. (And yes I am aware that one of those photos is of the girl that supposedly had sex with Ashton Kutcher).

After a while you get used to it ... Otherwise you'd go totally mad. Although I doubt I'll be prancing around in a g-string with my butt implants anytime soon. If that happens, get me outta here.