November 9th, 2008 
“Marilyn Monroe as Jackie O” from “The Lost Negatives” of the “Last Shooting of Marilyn Monroe” by Bert Stern.
After watching Team Blonde lose for the fourth year in a row to Team Brunette in Blondes vs. Brunettes: Tackling Alzheimer’s Disease today, I was curious about the long-standing rivalry between blondes and brunettes. Through my online search, I discovered that not only are brunettes viewed as smarter and more serious, but according to The Daily Telegraph, “Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but they really want a brunette for a wife!” Does this mean that if Marilyn Monroe had been a brunette, she might have been a First Lady rather than the rumored mistress of one of our most popular Presidents? I’m not so sure. I believe Marilyn choose to be a blonde – blonde hair didn’t choose her. I believe that she chose to become a blonde, and that she along with popular-culture’s stereotype of blondes shaped the outcome of her life.
Marilyn Monroe and the powerful movie studio executives chose platinum blonde for her hair color because it suited her personality, image, and her movie roles. As a blonde icon, Marilyn further developed the existing blonde stereotype. The roles she played, and her image in the media solidified the popular-culture stereotype of blondes. In 1953, Marilyn played the role of Lorelei Lee, a gorgeous yet vacuous blonde lounge singer. More than any other, Marilyn’s portrayal of Lorelei exemplifies the classic image of the “Dumb Blonde”. 
The “Dumb Blonde” stereotype is so pervasive in our society. It’s ingrained in men and women very early in life. Even in 2008, I think there are many men who still view blondes very differently from brunettes. This shapes a man’s first impression of a woman, and also shapes the image of his ideal mate. We, as women also grow up with the stereotypes, and still decide to be blonde. The positives out weigh the negatives for us, and we self-select. Even those women who grew up with naturally blonde hair must get highlights or otherwise color their hair, as natural blonde hair darkens when a woman reaches her twenties. Blondes are both women who have chosen to maintain the hair color they grew up with, and women who strongly identify personality-wise with the blonde stereotype. Either way, we are subjected to prejudice.
I have personally dealt with this type of prejudice. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had a very serious boyfriend sit me down to give me a list of changes I needed to make in order for us to move forward toward marriage. He told me that I was “too….BLONDE!” Yes, he really did say that! It was straight out of the movie Legally Blonde, and very coincidentally he had dated the woman who wrote the movie script. He told me I was “doing myself no favors by being a blonde.” I asked if it was because of all the blonde stereotypes, and he confirmed. I guess he wasn’t secure enough to deal with the stereotypes. Perhaps if I was a brunette, I wouldn’t stand out as much, and would go better with his northeast “blue blood” lifestyle where the wife is supposed to fade into the background. Nevermind the fact that he was very attracted to me as a blonde, and appreciated that I was “glamorous”. For him, I needed to become one of those women who feel a sense of superiorty because they don’t wear make-up, and let the gray hair come in naturally. When it came to marriage, he couldn’t reconcile his preconcieved image of his ideal wife with the reality of who he was attracted to, and whose company he enjoyed. So, his quest continues for ”the perfect woman”. After our discussion, I realized he never appreciated me for who I am. All the love and support I’d given him, and all that I’d done for him weren’t as important as my hair color, and the image it projected.
We blondes aren’t going anywhere! We aren’t going to run out and dye our hair brown in order to be perceived differently, or win a man’s affection. The odds may be stacked against us, but at the end of the day we do have more fun! And to all the men out there, be a contrarian, buck the trend…..marry a blonde!
- Miss A
[...] Read the original post: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes…But Not For Marriage! [...]
Andrea, Your post reminded me of my last relationship and thought I’d share. During our break up discussion, this Harvard MBA told me that I wasn’t “liberal enough” for his San Francisco friends and life style! Men who are afraid of strong minded women come up with the strangest reasons to run…:) I think blonds are the envy of the whole world, wherever blonds go, people want to touch and be close to especially women with blonde hair.
Theresa
All stereotypes start somewhere. That doesn’t mean stereotypes are always true, but it means they are sometimes true. And unfortunately, stereotypes take on a life of their own. We’re more likely to remember the instances that affirm a stereotype than those that refute it.
So ladies, accept what’s what. Perception and stereotypes are a reality and complaining about how unfair they are won’t make them go away. Besides, hair color is just one part of the package. Before you cry prejudice, think about how else you’re coming across folks. There are choices you make that are only going to amplify the stereotype: long painted nails, going bleach blond, showing too much cleavage, wearing too much make-up, having nothing to contribute to a conversation except giggles and US Weekly.
You may face some unfair prejudices as a blonde, but if you’re smart and carry yourself well, you’ll soon prove people wrong. Take responsibility for how you carry yourself and don’t make excuses.
Not all blonds are the same. It’s the ones like Brittney, Paris, and the Girls Next Door who screw it up for the rest of you.
Somehow I doubt Carolyn Bessette had too many people questioning her intelligence or class. Brains, wit, personality and charm come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
“I think blonds are the envy of the whole world, wherever blonds go, people want to touch and be close to especially women with blonde hair.”
Umm, maybe your bf broke up with you because you’re a narcissist from crazytown.
I am not sure I totally agree with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes…But Not For Marriage!
hair color has nothing to do with our marriage prefernce ok so some of the mal species is kind of stupid I will give you that but the rest of us choose our mates partners lovers…… on basic fundamental principles and that does not include hair pre disposition
I think that men themselves have issues to deal with I don’t care the color of hair you have. I am a brunette naturally but choose to be blond. When people ask me why I tell them my husband thinks that I am more fun in the bed as a blond not so laid back. I think that My hair color has nothing to do with it and no matter what color I go with next it won’t change who I am in side. People see a blond and think all they do is have fun and don’t care what people think . Blonds are real people just like any other colored hair girl. So all you blonds go have a good time and forget all them that are haters.
hm.. bookmarked