The Double Standard

Yeah, there's a double standard when it comes to women in the media: We love to hear about Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton having troubles keeping their lives straight, but when it comes to an actor like Owen Wilson, who cares, right?

Who besides Owen Wilson and, apparently, buddy/fellow actor Steve Coogan and friends, knew that both were drug fiends, according to an article I read today in the aftermath of Wilson's suicide attempt? Friends of Wilson are blaming Coogan for introducing him into the world of heroin.

Sure, it's more deadly serious when someone tries to take their life, but it doesn't seem to far away from the self-destruction of the female counterparts. Who was crying out that Owen Wilson needed help before the suicide attempt? And it seems like all the guys who have problems can seem to "get help" privately and we just allow them, because men aren't the sexy, mugging starlets like the women. Really, who among men has their face out there, seemingly announcing, "I'm great" to the world...maybe besides High School Musical's Zac Efron, who seems like the clean-cut boy-next-door type but we'll probably be hearing all about his flaws soon. And if it comes to that, will he be put under the same light as the trifecta of Lindsay, Britney, Paris?

I just find the whole dynamic interesting, is all. I don't write this thinking the world is going to change.