Blondes: They’re Just Like Us!
Posted by: Lauren Gitlin
Filed in:
news
10:45AM, Wednesday May 27th 2009
Over at The Daily Beast, Alison Prato has written a column on“Breakout Blondes,” which asserts that there is some sort of tow-headed backlash against the dumb blonde stereotype going on in pop culture. Prato gave a number of examples of successful blonde women, from Taylor Swift to Dakota Fanning to Agyness Deyn (the range is astounding isn’t it?), maintaining that after a dark reign in which brunettes like Angelina Jolie ruled our collective imaginations, the fair-haired contingent was back and better than ever. There’s a multitude of reasons why this “article” rubbed me the wrong way, but I’ll just address two.
For one thing, none of the uber-blones Prato describes are necessarily known for their burning intellect, with the possible exception of Dakota Fanning, who seems articulate enough in interviews and has an advanced vocabulary that’s sort of creepy for a kid her age. One could say that the women referred to in the piece must be clever to some degree by virtue of the fact that they’ve reached the upper echelons of success in their various fields, but you could just as easily attribute their success to a combination of genetic luck and good timing. I mean, the photo gallery includes Kristin Cavalleri – need I say more?
Sure, this list deals exclusively with women in entertainment, but that it would have been better off including females— like The Daily Beast’s own editrix Tina Brown or, you know, Hillary Clinton—who display a more substantial and cerebral set of talents. The idea that any of these women stand in stark contrast to the “dumb blonde” stereotype is completely insane, and if we’re measuring intelligence purely on the basis of professional success, there’s no way this is a new trend. In fact, plenty of women have capitalized on the dumb blonde party line to get ahead in the world. Marilyn Monroe’s entire career was based on this. And, hate to say it, but so is Paris Hilton’s.
The biggest issue I have with this article’s shaky logic is the idea that hair color is a factor worth acknowledging when discussing powerful or successful women. I mean, isn’t the dumb blonde stereotype kind of antiquated? Why does anyone feel the need to rally against it and provide examples of the blondes who are proving it wrong? And seriously, when’s the last time a guy’s hair was considered a valid topic of discussion when contemplating his success or his place in the pop culture? Buzz in the blogosphere over the dirtiness of Robert Pattinson’s mop does not count.
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angelspinning
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 10:58 am: [report]
I don’t know how badly blonds have been having it, either. Even with all the dumb blond jokes, they’re still (it seems to this redhead) more valued by society. Anyone looked at Maxims top 100 list? WHERE ARE THE RED HEADS!!
*cough*
Muttface
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 11:12 am: [report]
Never liked blondes myself. I’ve never trusted them. I always thought they would steal my wallet. Even today when I’m talking to one, I switch my wallet from my back pocket to my front pocket.
Arty
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 12:20 pm: [report]
“isn’t the dumb blonde stereotype kind of antiquated?”
No. There was a commercial recently for hair products for particular hair colors (I don’t remember the brand) where the blonde was a girly-girl surrounded by pinkness, and the brunette was “smart” surrounded by books and practicality.
And, as this piece mentioned, the fact that people are still capitalizing on it means the stereotype still exists.
As for men, being blonde has hindered me. The type of man I go for (smart guys who read the economist, not maxim, and prefer smart women) often say they prefer redheads or brunettes. My brother, not that I’d date him, says he likes brunettes. My ex that I was with for 4 years told me he never thought he’d date a blonde. He preferred redheads.
Erin G
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 12:28 pm: [report]
As someone with hair halfway between brown and red (so I can speak for us both!), I’d like some explanation as to why blondes are seen as the superior hair color when it comes to beauty, style, and overall image. I’d be safe to say that more women bleach their hair than dye it darker.
retro chic
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 01:01 pm: [report]
During a “dark” phase I went blonde. Wow… the difference in male attention was dramatic and positive. Even, tho, looking back at those photos, I think it was the worst I had ever looked. So, maybe it’s an eyegrabber at first, and not nec an actual pref for him or an ideal look for you. In any case, the rest is up to one’s overall quality of style and content that the guys I want quickly hone in on.
lalaland
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 01:31 pm: [report]
As someone who is blond it’s exceptionally frustrating for people to assume you’re less intelligent that your darker haired counter parts, simply because of your hair color. Yes I’m blond… and can speak in full sentences!
lilrockgoddess4u
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 01:43 pm: [report]
I agree with lalaland. I am also blonde (really light and completly natural) and people do assume that I am not intelligent. Other women always tell me how lucky I am to have naturally blonde hair and blue eyes, but they haven’t been subjected to every stupid blonde joke known to man!
vanya
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 02:01 pm: [report]
I agree with lalaland & lilrockgoddess4u. It is frustrating to have your intelligence judged by your haircolour. I, too, am a natrual blonde, and have been told by a number of colleagues & bosses over the years that I’d be taken more seriously and “earn more respect” at work (I’m an engineer) if I dyed my hair darker. How does one’s haircolour *earn* them respect?? I won’t even get started on the people I’ve met that are surprised to learn my profession and actually admit to me that they’ve misjudged my intelligence based on my haircolour.
“I’d like some explanation as to why blondes are seen as the superior hair color when it comes to beauty, style, and overall image. “
One theory I’ve read by sociologists is that blonde hair is subconsciously associated with youthfulness, since many people are fair-haired in infancy and childhood and their hair turns darker as they grow older. Generally, anything associated with youth in our culture is usually prized.
becktasm
wrote on May 27 2009 @ 05:25 pm: [report]
Blondeness had long with associated with stupidity and naivete because very rarely do women retain their fair color into adulthood. Most Caucasian women have blond hair as children, and as they age it gradually darkens. Gentlemen generally prefer blonds for the same reason they generally prefer larger breasts- it’s a way to tell how a young a woman is. If her hair is fair, it hasn’t darkened yet with age. If her breasts are full and perky, she hasn’t aged enough for them to sag, or had children. Men are just wired that way. Hunter-Gatherers guys- blame it on them.