Taylor Swift Is Not a Good Role Model
Taylor Swift is now the most influential celebrity in America. However, as a man, this is bad to me for Reasons.
This is satire of an opinion piece of the same title.
Taylor Swift is not just a pop icon; she's also a very famous person so I can get attention by writing an opinion piece criticizing her for being a woman who has made life choices that I disagree with. When Taylor Swift comes to town, her shows sell out because she has spent years releasing music and cultivating relationships with her fans. In fact, Swift is so influential that she has even birthed a new branch of opinion pieces called "Men Hating Women Who Make Their Own Life Choices in The Guise of Hating Taylor Swift." Her current tour, the Eras Tour, makes lots of money and does good things for economics, and doing good things for economics is the only thing that matters. Except for women staying in their place, that matters too.
Swift's merchandise sells a lot, and her fans, known as Swifties, buy anything she makes. I don't own things she makes because I like her, I own things that she makes because I'm really fond of friendship bracelets. When Swift endorses a product, it doesn't just sell; it thrives. A decade ago Taylor Swift practically introduced Diet Coke, then a tired brand because it is drunk by tired people who want a bit of caffeine, to people who are not old. Taylor Swift wields immense power.
Although her economic impact is extremely beneficial, it's worth asking if Swift's influence extends positively to other areas. People have written nice things about her more than once, and I have decided it is my job to make sure someone is being mean.
Swift is now the most influential celebrity in America. She is very popular, which is why I am writing this opinion piece because people like reading about her and not listening to me.
At 34, Swift is in a relationship with a very successful man who plays sports and has no children at this time, which some might argue is "a person making choices." But, I suggest, it's crucial to consider what kind of example this sets for young girls. A role model, by definition, is someone worthy of imitation. While Swift's massive riches, creative output, and kindness to her friends and family are admirable, we must ask if her personal life choices are ones we want our sisters and daughters to emulate. This might sound like pearl-clutching preaching, because it is.
Swift's highly publicized romantic life is often in tabloids, because that is what tabloids do. She's dated more than one high-profile man, and those men have names that you may recognize. This revolving door of relationships may reflect the normal dating experiences of young people who are dating and exploring relationships and end them when they discover it’s not a match – but it also raises questions about stability, commitment, and whether people should stick with the loser they dated in high school because he was the one who asked. Should we encourage young girls to see the "Swift standard" of dating people in your own league (or slightly below) as the norm, something to aspire to? Or should we be promoting something a little more, shall we say, wholesome? Would any loving parent reading this want their daughter to make their own life choices as an adult over the span of their one wild and precious life? This is not an attack on Swift; it's a valid question that no one asked that I decided needed answering.
The superstar's criticisms of the patriarchy add another layer of complexity, to me at least. Her rallying cry against patriarchal structures makes complete sense as an adult woman who makes her own choices, but I see a contrast here. The singer often dates strong, influential men- celebrities who embody significant social and economic power. This is hypocritical to me for some reason. I will define hypocrisy: It is when people make choices I don't like.
With her massive global following (lots and lots and lots), Swift impacts how young girls around the globe perceive relationships and success. Her career, which is really good, is a testament to her being awesome. But not to me. The glamorous portrayal of her romantic life sends messages that I object to. Also, her lyrics, that I know very well for no reason, often relate to her personal life. This might influence young women to think they can make their own choices in their own personal lives.
Swift's numerous high-profile relationships, while private matters, are constantly in tabloids I definitely don't read but lots of people do. This cycle of brief, intense relationships unintentionally glamorizes people who have feelings and express those feelings for other people. Although breakups can hurt both males and females, it's the latter group that tends to feel more emotional pain. Which would be why a woman, sorry, "a female," would write songs about it.
Young girls look up to—dare I say, even worship—Swift. They view her as much more than just a musician. The narrative of her romantic life presents a perspective of one way someone's relationships can look like in the year of our Lord 2024. This isn't about moralizing, except that it is.
While it's true that young men need better role models, the same is equally true for young women. Taylor Swift is in a relationship now and I wish her the best, but I'd also like to point out that they are probably doomed. Swift's talent for being awesome is great. Yet, admiration for being awesome should not blindly follow. Her life, managed by a PR machine and definitely not her, an adult woman making her own choices, does not show reality. What young girls truly need, perhaps without fully recognizing it, are role models who exemplify the lifestyle I want them to have, rather than an adult woman making her own choices.
And here I thought Taylor Swift was a good, traditional role model because she sings so much about wanting to find a man. Thank you for this important update