IsabellaLinton wrote:
Does it apply to blonde men too?
I've only heard it in the context of insulting women.
Ironically, lots of men were also attracted to blondes.
I guess they couldn't make up their minds.
Maybe they thought stupid people were sexy?
I don't get it.
It's less common, however, I have seen the dumb blond stereotype applied to male characters. That's actually why I gave up on the 'Artemis Fowl' series. Slight spoilers but the main character has two younger brothers (whom are twins). There's a spin off series about the twins and one is described as analytical and focused whereas the other is described as blond. He's implied to be more emotionally intelligent but lacking in book-smarts and laidback. Which is fine but using blond to describe that as a shorthand just irked me. I didn't read the spinoff because if the synopsis is anything to go by I bet the blond character is the butt of the joke and that would get tiring.
Chat Noir is another blond male character who often gets referred to as a dumb blond by the 'Miraculous Ladybug' fandom.
I've seen it be used to describe Percy Jackson. His character has dark hair in the books, however the actor who plays him in the TV show has blond hair. I don't think this makes much of a difference. However, this change has led to people in the fandom referring to him as a dumb blond. Mainly because he has a tendency to be oblivious to when others are crushing on him.
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That's exactly it - 'the sexy people are stupid' part. The trope first originated under the notion that blonde women were more attractive and therefore didn't need to put in any effort to be successful. That they could rely on their looks and men would give them all they needed. As the trope evolved, it is now being applied to men. However, I think the stereotype is starting to fall out of fashion.
I saw a lot of media growing up that suggested you could either be pretty or intelligent but never both. I very much had to unlearn that nonsense.
There was a German song by Tic Tac Toe called 'I'd like to be as dumb as you!' The music video has puppets and the women sing about a blonde woman who is a bit of a ditz but all the men fall over her. I could try to find it but it is a cringeworthy watch.
Quote:
I'd like to be as dumb as you
A really dumb stupid cow
Then I wouldn't have to think so much anymore
And would let other people take the lead for me
You're the sexy hexy who makes the men happy
You're so dumb you don't realize they only stay for one night.
You're the coolest chick, got a kiss for everyone
But behind your back they call you stupid bimbo
Vile song.
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