Still remaining an unrivaled cultural icon almost 50 years after her death, Marilyn Monroe was the biggest sex symbol ever to come out of Hollywood. And despite her complete lack of work ethic, 3 divorces, and multiple affairs with married men, her public “happy birthday” singing stunt -humiliating the first lady-, her frequent abuse of drugs and alcohol, making a career solely based on her sexuality, regular threats of suicide, total self-absorption, and dying from an overdose; generations of women continue to look to her as an inspiration and a role-mode. But surely any woman can see that none of these attributes are things women should be purposefully pursuing today?
It is true she had a tough upbringing, but millions of people have difficult backgrounds and triumph over them. Instead of overcoming obstacles, Monroe spent much of her life wallowing in them, making personal suffering a narrative for people to avoid taking responsibility of their own lives.
She moaned about being a star, but was ferociously ambitious in her pursuit of fame. She wailed about being a sex symbol, but did all she could to encourage such an image. And she had a love for playing the victim despite her privileged status, her often inexcusable behavior, and her wealth.
She was not happy, her moral code was completely off, she lacked empathy, and there was never anything intelligent about her. Still I see a lot of girls quoting her on twitter and instagram as if she was some sort of heroine or philosopher. She was a self-centered narcissist. and so unless you aspire to be a self-centered narcissist, then Marilyn Monroe is not someone you should be taking advice from.
Just to really illustrate the issue with women looking to Marilyn for guidance, lets imagine a modern version of Marilyn Monroe: Lindsay Lohan.
They both lack work ethic and are known for their hopelessly unprofessional behavior on set – arriving late, being drunk/on drugs, not knowing their lines, and so on. They both have/had huge alcohol and drug problems. Their love life is known to be a complete mess. They are known for fighting inner demons and being self destructive, not for being happy. Both capitalized on their sexuality and both were featured in playboy And honestly, no sane woman would ever claim that Lindsay Lohan is a god role model for anyone so why would Marilyn be?
I agree with Jenna that Marilyn Monroe should be respected as an individual; but Ladies, don’t look to her for advice on how to live your life. Instead, look to strong, independent, and educated women; intelligent women with a voice and opinion.
Do you think Marilyn Monroe is a good role-model, and do you agree that Lindsay Lohan is a modern version of Marilyn Monroe?
If you want to read more on this topic I highly recommend this article from The Daily Mail, written in 2011 around the time when My Week With Marilyn was released. Its a bit longer, and a bit harsher than my post, but it really captures the point I am making here.
To share this post just press whatever media you prefer in the left column of the post.
-above next to the image-
-above next to the image-
If you like what you see, make sure to subscribe!
Wow I never saw it this way, didn't even think about her in that way. It's actually strange as soon as someone is dead he/she becomes a hero or in this case a role model. I am sure though that Marilyn wasn't so "respected" back then. The difference between her and Lindsay is,this is actually a sad fact, but Marilyn looks classy, she doesn't some off as vulgar or slutty, she was always dressed like a lady, while Lindsay not (all though she had a cool phase where she had a great style). When coming to my conclusion I think people look up to Marilyn for the style not necessarily her behaviour, but we forget about her behaviour due to her classy style. Btw, so happy to discovered this blog, finally something worthy read, and after I actually think about what I red! Quality over Quantity. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI think that we today see her as looking classy because we have people like Lindsay Lohan to compare to, but I just think that we have been pushing the envelope A LOT when it comes to what is considered "slutty" appearance, and that Monroe was actually dressed "slutty" for her time. But as we have out modern view of what that is, Marilyn comes of as quite appropriately dressed.
DeleteThank you for your comment! You made some really good points and got me thinking! Also, I am delighted to see you enjoy my blog <3
In my modest opinion it's not just Lindsay who is being the "modern" Marilyn Monroe, it is most of those celebrities and young women who you can call the "modern Monroes"… I find it very sad that women have to prove themselves or get attention trough sexuality and mostly in a really exaggerating way. Maybe you could write more about the psychology behind it?! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! You are absolutely right, I could probably make a never ending list of people who are really inappropriate role models in the entertainment industry!
DeleteAlso, I would love to write more about the psychology behind it all. I often feel like I have A LOT to say, but I just want to keep the posts readable in length. So I will have to write a sequel or two to almost all my posts ;) Thank you for the advice, I will make sure to include some mroe analysis in my future posts !
Thank you for pointing this out! I doubt the people who are quoting her know of all these things, and if they did I doubt they would quote her as much as they do. It's nice to see someone bringing up these issues, not everyone should be seen as role models, just because they are or were famous. They should be respected as people, but being famous is not the same as signing up to be a good role model. Nowdays it seems to be more of the opposite actually
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment. I agree that many people who do quote her do not know about these things, and I see that as a problem. You shouldn't be taking advice from someone who lives a destructive life and it is scary to think that people do without even being aware of what kind of life she actually lived.
DeleteI have a daughter and it's always a struggle trying to steer them away from the 'role models' of today such as Nicky Manaj (don't even get me started), Kim Kardashian etc, the Marilyn's of our day. Yes, we are all human and mess up, nobody is perfect (myself included), but when you're in the limelight like that, especially with young women looking up at you, I think it's important that you're a good role model so that you're admired for the right reasons! This is why we see 13 year old girls wanting surgery nowadays to look as 'perfect' as their (airbrushed!) role models - it's terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about what celebs that young girls would like would actually be ok role models. After giving it some thought and checking some interviews with different actresses and singers I believe that the best you can find right now are probably Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift.
DeleteThey seem humble and are not marketed as sex symbols in the same extreme way as ex nicky manaj and the Kardashians, and they don't downplay their intelligence (which the lead actress in hunger games does ALL THE TIME -it frustrates me).
However, I saw the movie "spring breakers" and was just appalled, there is little artistic spirit in that movie. It was made by men (who love fantasizing about young teens running around in bikinis) for men (who like fantasizing about young teen girls in bikinis.)
I agree that Marilyn Monroe is a bad role model and also that most women in the public eye would be, mainly because good character doesn't necessarily win a popularity contest.
ReplyDeleteyou are making a really good point here, I completely agree. The issue is in what the majority finds intriguing and what captures our attention. And usually what captures peoples attention are things that are taboo -after all that is what Miley Cyrus ended up making a career out of.
Deletelovely article, nice to read :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am happy you enjoyed it.
DeleteGreat post, I agree with you.
ReplyDeletehttp://thevulgariangirl.blogspot.com/
I never liked her. Even when I was a little girl and knew nothing about Marylin I felt strong antipathy towards her. I always thought she was promiscuous, she looked and behaved so infantile... Never will I understand women who glorify her!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion women like Niki Minaj, Rihanna, Kesha,Beyonce etc are disgusting examples to girls and women.There lyrics and there image is highly pornographic. It's been mentioned in an earlier comment, that we have been pushing the envelope alot more. I don't even think there's an envelope left to push anymore, it's that dire! Aeyton
ReplyDeleteI'm a straight guy and i would love to see women follow strong, intelligent, talented women, who are proud of there talents and skills and don't feel that if they are not beautiful,perfectly built,love shopping,hair and makeup then they are not as worthy as women. There's nothing wrong with girls looking after there appearance or having fashion interests per say, it's when this life style and habit consumes them and becomes the center of there self worth.
In the UK we have what i call the 'Cheryl Cole generation of girls'. All wanting to be Miss Cole. look like her and marry Footballers!(There is a male equivalent to all this, but we can talk about that in another post lol)
P.S Great article by the way. It makes people think outside the bix, even if it's for a split nanao second of there 'X factor/American Idol' saturated minds :) Aeyton
ReplyDeleteexactly in her days she was viewed as slutiest slut by hosewives, like homewrecker and husbandstealer, for man she was the perfect mistress who slept with president ... today in comparison with all those music videos online picks chats websites ppls dreassing freely on streets in miniskirts low cut booty jeans ... she is almost angelic =]
ReplyDeleteHe he harsh words there... But you are right we have definitely pushed the envelope. Today, even when they have "love your body" campaigns its all about taking photos of yourself naked and posting them online. Why in the world do girls need to post photos of them selves naked to prove they are happy in their own skin. The point of being happy in your own skin is to not feel the need to post naked photos online ...
Delete