Taylor Swift’s music ... amazingly meaningful, melodic, edgy ... just like she is. She's a Millennial role model, who’s inspiring Tweens and Teens to strive for excellence and goodness.
Her songs communicate to them that there’s no need to be anyone but yourself – exactly who you are and who you want to be. She believes it, because that’s how she rose to such heights. Her songs are about the good and bad things that happen in a young person’s life, and she lets them know that even the pain of breaking up is okay – breakups happen (even to a Celebrity), and it’s okay to be hurt, but necessary to move on.
How timeless and appropriate her message is to all of us, as we navigate through the severity of today's economic stress. (No, it’s not a sugar sweet message – it’s optimism at its best.) She also shows these young girls a different kind of sexuality - one that's natural, sweet, and innocent.
Actually, Taylor takes a new approach to Celebrity – humility, authenticity, intelligence! (Wouldn't it be great if our leaders took on such traits!) Taylor is exactly the role model we need in this time of economic crisis. She’s not alone of course. Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron, and the Jonas Brothers are excellent entertainers as well, who offer the same underlying message. (Certainly we have many like them, but these Millennials were recently featured on E!’s Young Hollywood A to Zac. You can also learn more about the characteristics of the Millennial Generation at the UMN website.)
Taylor and her friends represent the "Millennial Generation", which was first written about in 1997, in the book, The Fourth Turning – An American Prophecy by William Strauss and Neil Howe. Even though this book is over 10 years old, it’s one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. Strangely enough, they predicted the Millennial Generation would be "the hero generation. ... and at the climax of the crisis, their heroism would make the difference between a bright and dark future for all of us." (I don't believe we've reach the climax yet; it seems it just began over the last year, so I'm sure we're witnessing just the beginning of their influence.)
I’m sure Taylor, Miley, Kevin, Joe, Nick and Zac will lead the way, and influence the next generation to strive for the same excellence and optimism they themselves, personify. As a Baby Boomer, I can tell you that these young entertainers hold my attention, and I’ll be listening to what they have to say and sing about.
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Article comments
1 - JEFF NEWTON
MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER HAD HER C.D. BLARING MOST OF CHRISTMAS MORNING & I MUST AGREE WITH YOU THAT HER MESSAGE IS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR AS A PARENT AND THERE IS NO "WIMP"TO ANY OF TAYLOR'S TOTAL PRESENTATION.GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT A SUPERHUMAN TALENT
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