Why do blondes get the label "dumb"?

Question

im a blonde and im a straight A student!

Answer 1

A better wikipedia link on this topic is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumb_blonde#Origins

That article suggests several possible origins.

The better ones (IMO):

1) YOUTH: The association of fair-hairedness with youth, therefore naivete, and perhaps a resulting tendency to treat adult blondes --who appear more like children?-- as young and simple. (I'm a bit skeptical of this explanation, at least as a central reason. I also know of no evidence that blonde women were typically treated as 'more simple' than other women.)

2) PROSTITUTES, PERFORMERS ETC:
The popularity of light-colored hair led many southern Europeans to die theirs; this was especially common among courtesans and later prostitutes.
..a) Some suggest that this led society in general (perhaps esp. nervous or jealous wives) to ease their concern about such women by viewing them as 'beautiful...but not very bright' (and so, perhaps, less threatening?)
..b) Perhaps (my idea) some of these 'beautiful women' (not necessarily just prostitutes) THEMSELVES adopted a style and mannerisms that would make them appear younger, simpler, less threatening --which might make them BOTH more attractive to men AND less threatening to other women?
(Obviously, (a) and (b) could work together.)

3) BRAIN DAMAGE from BLEACH. The potency of old bleaches actually caused brain damage in some individuals, hence the image was encouraged by instances of genuinely daft blondes. (Intriguing idea, but I know of no documentary evidence for such cases or for any stories or stereotypes about them, esp. about dumb prostitutes.)

4) RECENT POPULAR CULTURE - portrayals in books, film...
...a) The popular 1925 Anita Loos novel (and shortly after that, play) *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes* featured a dumb-blonde songstress, fond of rich men and diamonds...
...b) The film portrayals by Marilyn Monroe and others BUILT on and spread this stereotype (Monroe, in fact, starred in the screen version of Loos's book.)

The last of these is the only one for which we have much hard evidence, and is probably enough of an explanation on its own.

But it's entirely possible that more than one of these "causes" worked TOGETHER. Even if Loos, and a group of blonde starlets established to stereotype, what suggested this image to her in the first place? At least the beauty/glamor part of it may have been rooted in the old European attraction to fair hair. Whether the "dumb" part was ALSO based on images (socially created or self-chosen) of the manner of such women or was more Loos's own creation to give interest to this bumpkin character -- a portrayal that then caught on-- is difficult to say. But the fact that this character was a simple country girl --DIFFERENT from the sophisticated beauties-- makes me tend to think that Loos herself should get the real credit.

(I have an older sister who is very bright, still blonde, and loves to send the rest of the family "dumb blonde" jokes. The point is that it has succeeded as a humorous stock CHARACTER ... and those who use it often do so for fun... NOT because of their deep-seated suspicion of the intellect of fair-haired women.)

Answer 2

Maybe from the movies, and from the way men like to put women down. Until we started dyeing our hair blonde was rarer in the States than brunette, so maybe fairer game in the minds of men. Looking at how many women dye their hair blonde,
it's also the most desirable color here. And maybe men just don't like putting the idea of the desirability of a woman together with her intelligence. I think actresses like Marilyn Monroe (especially in her great comic roles) helped to foster the image.

Answer 3

"Dumb" (like beauty) is in the eye of the beholder.

People perceive according to their imagination and experiences.
Read on--
to see how a simple change of hair color changed people's response to that same individual:


Actress Diedre Lorenz found lots of people willing to help a fair-haired maiden in distress. Some went beyond the call of duty, offering their phone numbers and to take her out for a drink. Lorenz said she doesn’t typically get the sort of attention that she received with her blonde tresses.

What about a platinum-haired man? Actor Jake Mayers gave it a shot and said he felt “sexier, and I do feel more attractive.”

While surveys say blondes are often perceived as “ditzy” but “glamorous,” brunets are seen as “competent” and “trustworthy.” Posing as a dark-haired tourist, Jake felt he got less action but more respect.

As a brunette, Deirdre felt invisible. She got dramatically less attention than she did with her blonde hair.
“Men basically were throwing their phone numbers, begging me for my phone number, wanted to take me out sightseeing, take me for drinks,” she said. “Today, not an offer. Literally, I did not have an offer.”

If it’s any consolation, studies show women are nicer to brunettes. Research shows men are twice as likely to help someone out if she’s a blonde. Our experiment found blondes certainly turn more heads, and that may be the fun a lot of people are looking for.

But our testers say fun, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 4

The blond hair tends to imply beauty in other aspects. Generally beautiful girls tend to be protected more by their fathers, brothers, and later husbands. Being kept away from harmful situations creates naivete and lack of life experience which, by a "harder" person can be mistaken for lack of intelligence.

Answer 5

i actually found the answer to that question this morning...
Some research suggests that fair hair, being characteristic of young children, evokes parent-like feelings of affection and protection in others. This association with children may also be the cause of the common Western stereotype of blonds as being unintelligent (such as fictional character Chrissy Snow, a stereotypical dumb blonde). Two notable sex icons of twentieth-century America who helped popularize this image were Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow. Monroe, who was blonde as a child though her hair darkened, and Harlow, a natural ash blonde, both frequently portrayed "classic" dumb blondes in their films, yet were known privately as intelligent people. Jean Harlow is often credited as being the person who made it acceptable in Western culture for ordinary women to artificially bleach their hair blonde without being perceived as prostitutes.

hope this answers your question....and good job with ur grades..continue that!:)

Answer 6

when sum1 says that blondes are dumb they don't seriously mean it

sorry if that sounded harsh but im saying it in a kiddingly way ^_^


P.S. Im a straight A student and blonde too =]

Answer 7

Then why do you care so much? If this about your reputation in your own area being directed toward you, you can just use that line to anyone who calls you dumb. If this is because you see it naturally around you (jokes, people talking, etc.) then just ignore it. Why does it matter so much? Stereotypes are always going to be around. If you don't know the person, chances are, you won't see them again in your lifetime.

Answer 8

There are some interesting answers to this question!

I'm a blonde, and I don't think people consider me dumb either. As I say, they don't call me "Dr. Shorty" for nothing!

Don't worry about it.

Answer 9

Well people were very clumsy before and when blondes do something clumsy nowa days they are considered "dumb".

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

i guess its just been portrayed that way by media, then the public, theres no reason for it and of course its not true as youve demonstrated, keep up the good work!!