The Dark Side of Taylor Swift’s Success: A Model for Manipulation?
It’s time we ask ourselves a tough question: is Taylor Swift really the role model we want for our young girls? Sure, she’s talented, rich, and famous—qualities many people admire—but that doesn’t make her the beacon of morality or values that parents should promote. The pop star has made millions selling breakup songs and heartache, but her image as an empowered woman is often just a façade hiding narcissism and immaturity. Despite her “girl next door” persona, Swift is more about revenge lyrics than real empowerment. Do we really want our daughters learning that the way to handle life’s challenges is through petty grudges and cryptic Instagram posts?
One of the most glaring issues with Taylor Swift is the glorification of her victim complex. For over a decade, Swift has used her public breakups and feuds to generate sympathy and sales. From writing songs that bash her exes to airing grievances with other celebrities like Kanye West and Katy Perry, her brand has been built on conflict. What’s worse, young girls are watching this and internalizing the idea that playing the victim is empowering. Instead of resilience and accountability, Swift’s narrative encourages finger-pointing and blaming others when things go wrong. This is a dangerous message to send to the next generation.
Her constant portrayal of herself as a victim is not the only problem. Swift has also become a political voice for the left, using her massive platform to push liberal causes. From her public feud with Donald Trump to endorsing progressive candidates like Tennessee’s Phil Bredesen, Swift’s shift from country sweetheart to left-wing activist has been swift, pun intended. Whether or not you agree with her politics, it’s clear that she is using her influence to shape the political views of young, impressionable fans. Instead of teaching girls to think for themselves, she’s encouraging them to follow her ideological lead. That’s not empowerment—it’s indoctrination.
Let’s not forget her revolving door of relationships, which are romanticized as some form of self-exploration. Swift’s long list of public ex-boyfriends—Joe Jonas, Harry Styles, Tom Hiddleston, and more—becomes the source material for her hit songs. This pattern normalizes fleeting relationships and serial dating, teaching young girls that it’s okay to treat love and commitment casually. Stability and long-term commitment seem absent from her personal life, replaced by a pattern of short-lived romances that fuel her career. Should we really be encouraging our daughters to treat love as disposable?
Even Swift’s rise to fame reveals another issue: her obsession with fame and money. Many admire her success, but at what cost? She has mastered the art of playing the underdog, but make no mistake—she’s a shrewd businesswoman who knows how to capitalize on controversy. Her ongoing feuds, including the infamous dispute over her music catalog with Scooter Braun, have made headlines and kept her name in the spotlight. However, this relentless focus on personal gain sends a message to young girls that achieving success is more about manipulation and media stunts than hard work and integrity.