This is an interesting one. I’m not a huge fan of Taylor Swift because she is a serial monogamist and hasn’t had long, stable relationships (besides Joe but they were on and off and ultimately broke up). You could say I had some of the same issues as Taylor - many short relationships, painful breakups, wondering if I’ll ever settle down - and that’s why I don’t like her as a role model. I look to people who are happily married as my role models, because that’s where I want to be.

Plus, I think the issue with her music is that it all boils down to the same things in the end: heartbreak, breakups, emotional unavailability, she is the victim, some form of blaming or putting down other women, themes about angels/devils/sin/heaven, disappointment, unmet expectations. It gets tiring.

I don’t completely agree with the Newsweek article though. I think it would have been more powerful if it was written by a woman, not a man who seems to be preaching patriarchal values. I also don’t think that Taylor complaining about the patriarchy and dating high profile, powerful men is hypocritical. Does the author know these men personally? Maybe they actually know how to treat women with respect and equality.