Harry Styles is one of the greatest musicians today, as well as a huge advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, but his message of general acceptance of everyone is why he should be considered a great role model for your child. Harry Styles has become a fashion icon, as well as, a music powerhouse all over the world. He will grace the cover of Vogue magazine as the first-ever solo male to be featured on the cover in the 128 years since the magazine published its first issue.
When a preview for the issue broke this month, there was a mixed reaction from people approving of the magazine's cover guy, to some arguing against the statement they believed the photos of Harry dressed in 'women's' clothes were trying to make.
Since 2010, when One Direction was formed by Simon Cowell after they auditioned as solo performers on X Factor, Harry Styles has been known throughout the world by his incredible voice and his controversial style. He has grown into a fashion icon without having the intention to do anything but live his own life, the way he wants.
In his Vogue interview, Harry Styles said, “Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with. What’s really exciting is that all of these lines are just kind of crumbling away.” He continued, “When you take away ‘There’s clothes for men and there’s clothes for women,’ once you remove any barriers, obviously you open up the arena in which you can play.”
Gender Barriers
Over nearly 3 centuries, society has abolished feminine clothing for men. In the 1700's, men wore very fancy clothing and curly wigs of enormous proportions, both in a social setting and in the courtroom. But over the years, this was downplayed and embroidered or flouncy attire was designated to women only, leaving men to choose from a lackluster array of clothing.
"Anytime you're putting barriers up in your life, you're limiting yourself,” Styles said in his Vogue interview. This is exactly why children should look to someone like Harry Styles for support in their own choices. Styles in unapologetic in his clothes and wears them proudly, not to make a statement, but because it's who he is. Being yourself is the most sincere lesson you can teach your child. Showing them that someone so largely known is willing to stand up for themselves in the public eye is a great lesson.
Freedom Of Choice Isn't Easy
Being true to yourself isn't always going to be met with praise and adornment, not even for someone like Harry Styles. There are several critics who say he should not have been on the cover of Vogue; a transgender person should have graced the cover. To be political or controversial wasn't the intention of Styles or Vogue. It was not to lessen the importance of women or slight the LGBTQ+ community; it was a celebration of being who you are, breaking gender barriers, and being unapologetic.
Expressing to your child that they hold the power to be whatever they want, in their career and in the world, will encourage them to be their true selves. If someone is making decisions based on another's preferences, it undermines our freedom to choose for ourselves.
Another Direction Since One Direction
Harry Styles has, since the dissolution of One Direction, worn whatever he wants, which is usually very elaborate outfits, some with frill, others with flare, but always what he chooses. His attempts to be himself were somewhat limited while he was a part of the popular boy band, as they had an image to uphold. When the band dissolved, Harry's style choices were allowed to flourish.
He doesn't only wear dresses and frills, he owns some of the most fabulous suits and accessories. It is reported that Harry Styles has accumulated such a large number of clothes from all over the world, that he has them in a clothing vault or sorts, watched over by 24-hour security. Harry can, at any time, look at his clothing on any electronic device and make sure they are safe, in addition to have security monitor his duds.
Sexuality Is Not A Debate
Harry Styles has dated a number of famous women, including Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner, but his sexuality has always been a topic of interest. One Direction fans suspect that Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson have been dating since the early One Direction days, but neither have ever confirmed that relationship. When asked about his sexual orientation, Styles has replied by saying, "Who cares?" He goes on to say that he isn't hiding his orientation from anyone, he just doesn't believe it should be a topic that anybody needs to know or should be concerned with.
If you raise your child to be accepting of everyone, this question should never arise because it doesn't matter. Again, Styles is expressing his true opinion that it's nobody's business who loves who, only that whomever we choose should be left to us. Harry faces backlash for his decisions and beliefs every day, he also gains the support of millions of fans and hundreds of celebrities. The one constant is that he supports equality for everyone and believes that happiness should be afforded to everyone. Tolerance is an amicable lesson, and should be taught to every child.
Sources: Huffington Post, Vogue, USA Today