Outrage as op-ed writer calls Taylor Swift 'not a good role model' for being '34, unmarried and childless'

Outrage as op-ed writer calls Taylor Swift 'not a good role model' for being '34, unmarried and childless'
Taylor Swift's fans slam op-ed author for 'mansplaining' (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Taylor Swift’s success and spirited feministic attitude have once again unruffled the feathers of a conservative journalist who declared that the pop star is “not a good role model” for young girls because of her unmarried status. 

Recently, Newsweek published an op-ed by journalist John Mac Ghlionn where he criticized the billionaire pop star for setting a poor example for young girls. 

In the self-explaining opinion piece titled, ‘Taylor Swift Is Not a Good Role Model’, Ghlionn described Swift as “34, unmarried and childless,” and called her out for exerting bad influence on impressionable young women.

John Mac Ghlionn (X/@Mac Ghlionn)
John Mac Ghlionn (X/@Mac Ghlionn)

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John Mac Ghlionn criticizes Taylor Swift

In what several fans have called “mansplaining,” Ghlionn attacked the self-made billionaire pop star - whose Eras Tour is the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. 

Ghlionn introduced his piece by praising Swiftonomics and admitting, “Taylor Swift wields immense power.” However, after inventorying the ‘Cassandra’ singer’s multiple virtues, he moved on to “offer some pushback” on Swift’s influence over the young generation. 

The journalist suggested that while “Swift's musical talent and business acumen are certainly admirable,” her personal life is not worth emulating. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 16: Taylor Swift attends the world premiere of
Taylor Swift is accused of not being a 'role model' (Getty Images)

Ghlionn then went on to attack her marital status and referred to the age-old debate of whether a woman is useful only if she procreates. 

The columnist wrote, “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.”

He further went on to shade Swift’s love life asking: would “any loving parent reading this want their daughter to date 12 different men in the span of just a few years?”

Saying that she has dated some of the most influential men, Ghlionn moaned that this “revolving door of relationships” may pose questions “about stability, commitment, and even love itself.”

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Editorial use only and no commercial use at any time. No use on publication covers is permitted after August 9, 2023. Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of
Taylor Swift is currently on her record breaking Eras Tour (Getty Images)

Naturally, Ghlionn’s words on Swift’s influence were enough to cause a public outrage, and fans slammed the writer for “mansplaining”. 

Several fans said that while Swift is “34, unmarried and childless,” the same phrase can be used to describe her NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce as well. Yet, Ghlionn had nothing to say about the NFL star's marital status. 

Also Read: Travis and Jason Kelce try 'full English breakfast' amid London trip, ask 'how do we even approach this?'

Taylor Swift's fans slam op-ed author John Mac Ghlionn

Ghlionn's op-ed elicited harsh criticisms from the fans who slammed the writer for his "misogynistic" views. 

One social media user said, "Shame on @Newsweek & writer John Mac Ghlionn. Their ‘hot take’ on why #TaylorSwift is not a role model is misogynistic, sexist & frankly idiotic. Number of times they have written about 34-year-old unmarried & “childless” male celebrities?"



 

Someone else referred to medieval witch trial practices, saying, "The "unmarried and childless" line is straight out of a witch trial circa 1640."



 

Another netizen mourned, "And if she was touring the world for her job & 'leaving her husband & children at home' she'd be "neglecting her family" - we really can't win!!"



 

"This man clearly doesn’t understand patriarchy. Man mansplaining feminism, patriarchy and who is and is not a female role model," condemned another user. 



 

Another fan slammed the piece, writing, "Really wish John would have opted for therapy in dealing with his own insecurities than subjecting us to read this."



 

"This “hot take” is so out of date it was written with quill and ink," slammed a fan on the archaic nature of the article.



 

"If she hadn’t already written The Man this would be the perfect basis for it!Nevermind she is the 1st and only artist to win #AlbumOfTheYear four times at the Grammys, AND she is the 1st artist to achieve billionaire status solely on the basis of her music! Talk about influence!" said someone else.



 

Another netizen observed, "It’s appalling and should never have been printed."



 

Someone else added, "Mac Ghlionn doesn’t seem to grasp individuals can make choices. isn’t she an inspiration to her fans and maybe give hope to some of them that they can be a success in life or pursue whatever goals they want to achieve ?"



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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