This article serves as a direct response to John Mac Ghlionn’s opinion piece published in Newsweek, provocatively titled “Taylor Swift is Not a Good Role Model” on June 27, 2024. For context, Mac Ghlionn’s article can be found here: https://www.newsweek.com/taylor-swift-not-good-role-model-opinion-1916799. Mac Ghilionn’s central argument, questioning Taylor Swift’s suitability as a role model, particularly for young girls, warrants a thorough examination and, ultimately, a strong rebuttal.
Mac Ghilionn initiates his argument by acknowledging Swift’s positive economic impact but quickly pivots to question her broader influence, specifically asking, “is she a good role model for young girls in the U.S. and beyond?” He frames his piece as offering “pushback” against the numerous articles celebrating Swift as a role model, immediately setting a confrontational and somewhat adversarial tone. This “pushback” approach feels less like a nuanced discussion and more like a deliberate attempt to stir controversy for the sake of it.
However, the core of Mac Ghilionn’s critique lies in his assertion regarding Swift’s personal life choices. He states: “At 34, Swift remains unmarried and childless, a fact that some might argue is irrelevant to her status as a role model. 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 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.”
This statement reveals a deeply ingrained, and frankly outdated, perspective on women’s roles and value in society. To suggest that a woman’s marital status and parental status at age 34 are “crucial” factors in determining her worthiness as a role model is not only reductive but also blatantly sexist. It echoes a bygone era where a woman’s primary value was tied to her domestic roles as wife and mother. It completely ignores the multifaceted achievements and contributions a woman can make in the world, independent of these traditional milestones.
Taylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards, showcasing her independence and success as a global music icon.
In 2024, it is astonishing to hear such arguments presented in a mainstream publication. The idea that a woman’s role model status hinges on being married and having children by a certain age is not “sound reasoning”; it’s a reflection of antiquated patriarchal norms that society has been actively dismantling for decades. It begs the question: has John Mac Ghilionn applied the same criteria to male role models? Has he questioned the role model status of successful men in their 30s and 40s who are unmarried and childless? A quick scan of his published work would likely reveal a glaring absence of such critiques directed at men.
This double standard is further amplified when Mac Ghilionn delves into Swift’s dating history. He points out, “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—including the singers Harry Styles and Joe Jonas, the actor Jake Gyllenhaal, and, more recently, the American football player Travis Kelce. 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.”
He then poses the loaded question: “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?”
Again, the onus of “stability,” “commitment,” and even the very definition of “love” is unfairly placed on Taylor Swift. Why is her dating history scrutinized under a microscope while the men she dated are largely absolved of any responsibility in the outcomes of those relationships? Dating, especially for someone in the public eye like Taylor Swift, is complex. Her fame and success undoubtedly attract a wide range of individuals, and navigating relationships under constant public scrutiny is an extraordinary challenge.
To suggest that Swift’s dating life sets a negative example for young girls is to ignore the reality of modern relationships and to perpetuate a judgmental narrative against women who are not in long-term, traditional relationships. It also conveniently overlooks the possibility that these relationships ended for various reasons, none of which necessarily reflect negatively on Swift’s character or values. Furthermore, framing “wholesome” relationships as the opposite of Swift’s dating history implies that any relationship that doesn’t conform to a narrow, traditional ideal is somehow flawed or detrimental.
Mac Ghilionn’s article briefly attempts to address the issue of male role models, stating, “young men also need better role models.” However, this feels like a token gesture, a fleeting attempt to appear balanced before immediately pivoting back to scrutinizing Swift’s current relationship with Travis Kelce and questioning its longevity. This reinforces the article’s underlying focus: to criticize Taylor Swift, not to genuinely engage in a broader discussion about role models for all young people.
The crucial point that John Mac Ghilionn misses is that Taylor Swift’s role model status transcends her marital status or dating history. Her influence stems from her extraordinary talent, her relentless work ethic, her astute business acumen, her powerful songwriting that resonates with millions, and her ability to connect with her fans on a deeply personal level. She embodies female empowerment, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s dreams with passion and determination. These are the qualities that make her a positive role model for young girls and, indeed, for anyone, regardless of gender.
Instead of fixating on outdated metrics of female worth, such as marriage and motherhood, we should celebrate Taylor Swift for the groundbreaking artist and businesswoman she is. We should encourage young girls to emulate her ambition, her creativity, her kindness, and her unwavering belief in herself. To reduce her significance to outdated societal expectations is not only a disservice to Swift but also a harmful message to young women who deserve to see diverse paths to success and fulfillment.
In conclusion, John Mac Ghilionn’s critique of Taylor Swift as a role model is based on a flawed and misogynistic premise. It perpetuates harmful double standards and ignores the true reasons why Taylor Swift is admired and respected by millions worldwide. Her role model status is not diminished by her relationship choices or lack of marriage and children; it is amplified by her extraordinary achievements and the positive impact she has on the world. It’s time to move beyond these outdated criticisms and recognize Taylor Swift for the inspiring figure she truly is.
