Madonna Has Become an Avatar for Our Fear of Aging

Ms. MacNicol is a contributing Opinion writer.

It is painful for me to speak ill of Madonna. When I attempt to turn a critical eye on the 67-year-old pop star, the 10-year-old me suddenly appears, like a selfless soldier willing to take a bullet to save the one she loves. How dare you, little me says, eyes ablaze.

Ten is how old I was when the album and eponymous single “Like a Virgin” were released, in 1984. I did not yet fully grasp what the word “virgin” meant (my Catholic school upbringing in Canada never seemed overly invested in explaining things, especially to little girls) or understand why my friend Sandy got in trouble for........

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