On Saturday, Aug. 29, thousands of screaming girls, both young and old, filled Petco Park to catch a glimpse of the 25-year-old blonde, lanky and nonetheless beautiful pop sensation, Taylor Swift. Unabashedly, I can admit I was one of those girls. My best friend was given two tickets to the San Diego concert for her birthday, and when she asked me to go with her, I was jubilant. I had seen T-Swift once before for her second album’s tour several years ago and had been an un-closeted fan of her relatable, but often emotion-driven melodies and lyrics since her first album.
I know I am not alone in this fandom. Over the last 10 years, millions upon millions of fans who were often endearingly grouped and referred to as “Swifties” or “Taylor Nation," have stayed loyal to Swift’s evolving music, ever changing hair styles, flings, and cat-related antics. As she has grown up and her image has progressively changed with her age, it’s impossible not to become aware of the criticism Swift has faced over the last several years. Many critics have argued that Swift is not catering to her younger fan base in her amped up performances and sets a very bad example. In turn, it has been claimed that she has become a sort of negative role model for the youths that desperately look up to and aspire to be like her.
In taking a look at these claims, I can’t truthfully say they are entirely wrong or without justification. In the last several years, Swift has made a bit of a spectacle of dating many men -- and then of course, writing songs about each and every one of them, or the dramatic breakups that have ensued. This could give the impression that girls should base their lives around the boys they have their most recent crushes on, thus insinuating harmful patriarchal notions into young girl’s psyche. Along with this, Swift has openly made claims that she does not identify as a “feminist,” a crushing blow to many uneducated young people who look to her for social and political standpoints. Swift, herself, represents a heterosexual, cis-gendered, white, high-class side of America, so it seems that the least she could do is allow herself to be educated and publicly stand for something as simple and prevalent as equality.
However, Swift does have many redeemable ideals and qualities that negate a number of the claims that she does not set a good example for young girls of this generation. As I previously stated, I’ve seen Swift twice in San Diego in concert, once just a few days ago and on her Speak Now tour. Both times Swift gave monologues during breaks in songs promoting positive messages including positive self-image, following your dreams, living in the moment, and not allowing naysayers to get in the way of your passions. And while Swift has made an image for herself in regard to the many men she has dated, it seems clear that she is trying to shift away from this image; the ending quote on the screen at the end of her concert Friday night stated, “I lost him but found myself, and somehow that was everything.” That quote resonated with me as a heartfelt plea for young girls to step back and realize their self-worth is not devalued by anyone, especially someone who does not value them.
Beyond that, Swift has stayed out of trouble in the public eye, something many critics tend to try to overshadow or simply forget. Swift has almost never been seen partying, doing drugs, drinking, or frankly almost anything society would label “promiscuous” or “demeaning," unlike many of her musical female counterparts. Her music is never explicit (except for the occasional “damn” or subtle sexual reference) and overall, the cat-loving, red-lipped icon is, for the most part, a symbol for working hard and having good, clean fun.
T-Swift may be made out in the media as bad news for young fans who admire and adore her. And while there are certain instances that could exemplify these claims, the vast majority of Swift’s image and actions in the public eye lead to the conclusion that though Swift may be far from a perfect role model, she remains by many means an important and influential positive figurehead for the youths of this generation.
