Pop singer Pink took aim at sexy Hollywood bimbos in her recent video “Stupid Girls,” and it seems like an entire tribe of tabloid darlings have become household names — and easy targets for lampooning. But what about “stupid boys”? Or himbos? Or as Jerry Seinfeld called them, mimbos? Atoosa Rubenstein, editor-in-chief of Seventeen magazine, and psychologist Jeff Gradere were invited on “Today” to give their perspective on the latest cultural phenomenon: himbos.
Here’s Rubenstein’s take on himbos:
Let's first point out that Webster’s dictionary defines "himbo" as a male bimbo; a male who uses his good lucks but is superficial and unintelligent. That’s the general definition, but let’s take a closer look at the variations.
Types
King of all himbosOne word: Kevin Federline. He could be in the himbo hall of fame. Then there are the C-list himbos:guys like Wilmer Valderrama and Ashton Kutcher who attach themselves to A-list women. Kutcher was very C-list before he started dating Demi Moore. And Valderrama is totally C-list, but is always trying to move himself up the rungs with the women he dates.
Hound dog himboThese guys are very good looking, but they cheat on their girlfriends. Prime examples: Chad Michael Murray and Jude Law. Murray was far more popular with girls when he was with Sophia Bush. But once he cheated on her, his stock really went down.
Socialite himbosThink of guys who spend their lives socializing, like Brandon Davis and Stavros Niarchos. Even our beloved Brad Pitt is becoming a himbo, traveling the world with his girlfriend Angelina Jolie. (This just proves that not everyone is born a himbo, but can develop into one.)
Character traits
They are cute. Everyone loves a pretty face. The girls love them because they’re malleable. And the guys spend lots of time with the girls because they have nothing better to do. As women become more successful, they want a guy who isn’t going to take over their lives. They want someone who looks great in a photo and who is game to whatever she wants to do. The public may not be in love with himbos, but they are in love with the girls who have them. Back in the day, men would have bimbos on their arms. Now women have himbos on their arms.
Staying power
They are the wave of the future. The more successful girls get, the more they are going to want himbos. We’re seeing a role reversal here. We got here because we taught our girls to be strong. It’s an exaggeration to say boys are looking at these himbos as role models, but subconsciously they are hearing and seeing these guys in the press, and it sends a message that their behavior is acceptable.
Celebrity himbos
Kevin FederlineHe was seeing Britney Spears before he left his pregnant girlfriend, Shar Jackson, two years ago. Since then he’s been seen in strip clubs. He also reportedly said if his record deal doesn’t work out he’ll be at a local strip club. He has also admitted that he gained a huge career advantage when he married Spears.
Wilmer Valderrama In an interview with Howard Stern, he was the king of the kiss-and-tell. Not only did he claim to have deflowered Mandy Moore and rate Jennifer Love Hewitt an 8 in the bedroom (on a scale of 1 to 10), he also has said he's had a threesome with two women. And on top of that, he hosts a show on MTV, “Yo Momma,” where competitors trash-talk each other to win $1,000.
Brandon DavisAn oil heir and billionaire, he became famous for his all-night partying and his relationship with Mischa Barton. Recently he was filmed verbally bashing Lindsay Lohan, while Paris Hilton giggled in the background. He’s also said that Lohan's dad is hotter than she is and has told the paparazzi that he thinks she’s worth about $7 million and he feels that means she’s really poor. He reportedly called Lohan to apologize.
Jude LawJude Law, formerly married to British actress Sadie Frost, publicly apologized via his publicist for his affair with then-fiancée Sienna Miller, after reports by tabloids of his dalliance. He then cheated on Miller with Daisy Wright, his child's nanny.
Chad Michael MurraySophia Bush wanted to annul her marriage to her “One Tree Hill” co-star. She has said that she felt humiliated by his alleged cheating with Paris Hilton. She hasn’t given details on their relatonship, but has said some of the tabloid reports have been scarily accurate. Less than seven months after their split, Murray is marrying Kenzie Dalton, an 18-year-old who is an extra on the TV show.
Here's Gradere’s take on himbos:
I would hate to call anyone stupid. They may be shallow, classless, insensitive and exhibitionistic — and maybe stupid in some ways – but they’re smart in a business way! I think boys are starting to notice the mad props that “stupid girls” have been getting and they are now thinking, “Hey, if it works for them, maybe I can pump up and dumb down for success.” Not good!
Are men as providers old-fashioned?
I believe that the masculine persona is still live and well, but there has been much said in the media and in print about the importance of men connecting to their feminine side. Therefore, they believe that it is OK to express sensitivity, as well as use their sexuality as a means of gaining what they want. That also includes allowing women to take on the role of provider and for them to assume the role of being cared for.
What they fail to understand, however, is that women who stay at home take care of the household, their children and their men. Some guys don’t bring anything to the table and take false pride in being boy toys. In other words, they are simply prostituting themselves.
Pink warns that Hollywood “stupid girls” influences young women. Is it also affecting young men?I am afraid that there is not good news on this front. Stupidity has slowly wormed its way into the hearts and minds of our young boys. I hear boys of all ages discussing how their prized possession is their sexuality and how they will use that in order to have girlfriends provide for them financially and sexually. Yet, they will not provide anything in return. That’s a very sad development indeed!
Is this a fad or a cultural change?
I am afraid this is more than just a passing phase; this is our present reality and certainly our future. We understand the value of women taking on more masculine roles and men assuming what were once considered more traditional female roles. However, somewhere along the way, himbos have warped this idea and turned it into a free ride at the expense of women, which is disrespectful and manipulative. Sadly, these “stupid” young men and women are serving as the new role models for our boys and girls.
What can parents do to prevent their children from becoming bimbos – and himbos?
- Discuss this phenomenon with your children, pointing out their negative behaviors.
- Steer kids towards more positive role models, such as parents and local heroes in the community who contribute in a positive way.
- Have conversations about the importance of responsible behavior, especially regarding relationships.
- Stay involved in their lives and constantly steer them towards honest behaviors.
- Laugh. Sometimes it is a valuable to let them know that you don’t take bimbos -- or himbos -- seriously.