A Woman in a Man's World: The Positive Effects Marilyn Monroe Had On Society

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She was the biggest movie goddess, the prime sex symbol to be alive at her time; Marilyn Monroe was desired by many men, and is still an inspiration to many generations of women. Even after more than fifty years after her death, she still continues to be an unrivaled fashion and movie icon. Even though, Marilyn Monroe is not alive today, she still continues to influence today’s society by defying the typical “model” standard.
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Baker on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. During her early years she overcame many hardships. Marilyn's father deserted the family before her birth, so she spent most of her childhood not knowing her father's identity. There are two possibilities - Edward Mortenson, who was named on her birth certificate, and Stanley Gifford, who worked with her mother Gladys. Marilyn moved between many foster homes, when her mother was sent to a mental hospital after developing psychiatric problems. Eventually, Grace McKee, her mom’s best friend, became her guardian. McKee allowed nine year old Marilyn to curl her hair and wear makeup until McKee married and sent her to an orphanage. She was then sent to live with her great aunt, Olive Brunings, and it was thought that Marilyn was sexually assaulted by Olive’s son.
When Marilyn was sixteen, she escaped her former life by marrying Jim Dougherty, a twenty-one year old aircraft plant worker, who she sadly divorced four years later. By this time she had begun posing for pin-ups and glamor shots, after bleaching her hair blonde - which took her nine times to get the right color. Howard Hughes tried to get a screen test for her, but was beaten to the punch by 20th Century Fox, who offered to sign a contract with her. Mari...

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