PARIS Hilton may be a role model for your teenage daughter.

Don't scoff.

According to a new book by a leading US political commentator, teenage girls see leading celebrities as role models and value being sexy over being intelligent, reported The Scotsman.

The book Prude: How The Sex- Obsessed Culture Damages Girls is written by Ms Carol Platt Liebau, who is also the first female managing editor of Harvard Law Review.

BLAME CELEBS

She states in the book that celebrities like Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears should be blamed for valuing sexuality above all else.

As a result, Ms Liebau notes that today 'promiscuity and sexual aggression' are seen as the only way for young girls to achieve admiration.

She writes: 'The overwhelming lesson teenagers are now learning from the world around them is that being 'sexy' is the ultimate accolade, trumping intelligence, character and all other accomplishments.

'In a culture that celebrates Paris Hilton and thong underwear, there's scant modesty or achievement that isn't coupled with sex appeal.

'Girls are being led to believe that they're in control when it comes to sexual relationships.

'But they're actually living in a profoundly anti-feminist landscape where girls compete for attention on the basis of how much they are sexually willing to do for the boys.

'And living in an overly sexualised culture takes a toll on girls.'

Ms Liebau's book has caught the attention of women's groups who warn that the sexualisation of young girls is making them increasingly vulnerable.

A spokeswoman for Rape Crisis Scotland said: 'We are concerned about the over-sexualisation of children and the effect it has on women and girls' self-esteem.

'Young women do experience a lot of pressure to have sex.'

A spokesman for Scottish Women Against Pornography said: 'It's setting young women and girls up as targets. The idea that this is sexual liberation is just rebranding the same oppression.'

But according to Mr Phillip Hodson, a fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in London, the influence of the Hollywood media has made society more focused on looks.

He said: 'I think the problem is exaggerated. Nature wishes you to breed, so sexuality has always been there. What's wrong with being intelligent and taking care of yourself?

'But if you are just trading on your sexuality, the big question is what are you going to do when you lose your looks?'