Taylor Swift and the Not Good Very Bad Hatchet Job

Newsweek magazine is stupid.

It’s no secret that Newsweek, a once-respected news magazine, has made a hard right turn.

A magazine once devoted to responsible journalism is now spouting COVID conspiracy theories, pushing for a ban on all legal immigration to the United States, and supporting bans on trans-affirming medical care.

The right wing has regularly targeted entertainers who publicly espouse progressive politics. They are now harassing Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift.

Swift is the subject of a recent opinion piece from Newsweek entitled “Taylor Swift is Not a Good Role Model.”

John Mac Ghlionn, the author of the piece, who is described as a writer who focuses on “social issues, technology, and the impact of media manipulation,” proceeds to explain why young women should not waste their admiration on Ms. Swift.

He begins by saying:

“At 34, Swift remains unmarried and childless, a fact that some might argue is irrelevant to her status as a role model. But… 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 musical talent and business acumen are certainly admirable, even laudable, 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, but it's a concern rooted in sound reasoning.”

His “sound reasoning”:

“Swift's highly publicized romantic life has been a source of prime tabloid fodder for years. She has dated numerous high-profile men—at least a dozen... This revolving door of relationships may reflect the normal dating experiences of many young women in today's world, but it also raises questions about stability, commitment, and even love itself. Should we encourage young girls to see the "Swift standard" 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 date 12 different men in the span of just a few years? This is not an attack on Swift; it's a valid question that is worth asking.”

This should have been enough to confirm Ms. Swift’s unsuitability as a role model, but the author is just beginning his character assassination:

“The superstar's vocal criticisms of the patriarchy add another layer of complexity. Swift's recent rallying cry against patriarchal structures stands in stark contrast to her personal dating choices. The singer often dates strong, influential men—celebrities who embody significant social and economic power. This can appear hypocritical. Hypocrisy fundamentally undermines the ability to be a good role model because it involves a contradiction between one's actions and the principles or values they publicly advocate. Swift either doesn't realize this or doesn't care. Neither of the two is a good look.”

Nauseous, yet?

“…the glamorous portrayal of her romantic life can send rather objectionable messages. Moreover, many of her lyrics often depict her as the victim. This might influence young women to adopt a similar perspective in their own relationships, be they romantic or otherwise. Swift is not a victim...”

“Swift's numerous high-profile relationships…are constantly in the public eye. New romances become media-feeding frenzies, while breakups fuel the gossip columns. This cycle of brief, intense relationships can unintentionally glamorize a type of romantic promiscuity where partners can be replaced as easily as toilet paper. Although breakups can hurt both males and females, it's the latter group that tends to feel more emotional pain. Swift makes breakups look easy...”

He concludes by saying

“This isn't about moralizing, but about discussing the values we wish to instill in impressionable individuals.”

And

“What young girls truly need, perhaps without fully recognizing it, are role models who provide both authenticity and actual depth, rather than artificial narratives and superficial glamor.”

From his, ahem, areas of expertise, the author must consider Taylor’s popularity an example of “media manipulation.”

I’m sure that media manipulation has nothing to do with his motivation for writing this doggerel.

He starts by criticizing her being unmarried and childless at 34. Apparently, we should label women like milk cartons. In his eyes, she’s coming mighty close to her expiration date.

He makes it clear that the purpose of women is to marry, then procreate, followed closely by staying in the kitchen and dropping children like a Pez dispenser.

His writing reads like how Dana Carvey’s Church Lady sounds.

The author goes on to talk about Swift’s oft-mentioned love life, explaining that her public relationships raise questions about stability, commitment, and love, and suggests her romantic entanglements aren’t wholesome.

Interestingly enough, the author doesn’t mention the men that Taylor dated. Obviously, after their relationship ended, they quickly returned to their monasteries.

In this guy’s world, women are responsible for providing stability, commitment, love, thereby certifying their wholesomeness.

On the other hand, men may do as they please.

When has anyone ever written a piece saying that George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, or John Mayer are bad role models because of their many public relationships?

Then, he says that Swift is a hypocrite because she “criticizes the patriarchy” but “dates strong influential men.”

Now it’s true that Taylor could date someone not as lofty as musicians and professional football players.

She could date a sanitation worker, but how likely would that be, and couldn’t you see the headlines?

“Taylor Doesn’t Have to Take Out Her Trash, She Leaves it for Her Boyfriend!”

“Put Out You Can Cause Here Comes Taylor’s Garbageman!”

It seems logical for men to rich, powerful men to date a certain way, but women aren’t afforded the same option.

It’s hilarious that the writer says that Taylor depicts herself as the victim in her breakup songs.

How many people can get revenge by writing extremely popular revenge songs that often give clear clues to the identity of the ex?

I don’t think Taylor considers herself a victim. She expresses her hurts and frustrations like anyone else, except she has a built-in audience of millions eager to hear her side of the story.

The author says that her songs “glamorize romantic promiscuity.”

Male singers always sing about women they have dated, and no one says they are promoting promiscuity.

He says that young women need role models who “provide authenticity and actual depth.”

And who decides what constitutes authenticity and depth?

The same patriarchy that Taylor Swift sings about.

The author referred to toilet paper when he talked about Tay’s supposed promiscuity.

What he wrote is closer to Charmin than anything related to Taylor Swift.