Lindsay Lohan’s Mother At The Heart Of Lindsay’s Pain, Far Worse Off Than Peers
Lindsay Lohan in many ways is like an orphan. Not in the traditional sense of the word, but metaphorically speaking, she lacks the guidance and love that her similarly troubled peers like Britney, Nicole and Paris possess.
From all possible angles in which her story and life is viewed, she has been used and mishandled from a very early age. Lindsay’s father Michael, who we hope is truly getting his act together, was an out-of-control alcoholic prone to unreasonable and violent outbursts. Dina, Lindsay’s mother, suffers from a raging case stage-mom-ititis, using her daughter as a portal for her own delusions of grandeur. Not unlike Drew Barrymore’s mom in the 80’s, Dina uses Lindsay like an American Express card, flashing her daughter’s name to get her the attention and access she desperately wants.
This is at the heart of Lindsay’s pain. Pain that I am beginning to think isn’t just a mere ploy for attention, but the root cause of her self-destruction. Unlike Britney, who aggressively struck out at those who she deemed were oppressing her, Lindsay remains passive in her abuse. Where Britney is defiant, Lindsay is sinking deeper within her despair and using the effects of alcohol and drugs to ignore what’s really bothering her.
Britney’s family in crisis created a united front, they did what parents must do when dealing with a child who is misbehaving. They refused to acquiesce to Britney’s demands and forced Britney to face her problems WITHOUT their approval. They clearly support their daughter, but they have let it be known that they do NOT approve of her behavior. And they paid for it with her anger and alienation. Both of which will subside once Britney realizes that in reality, their tough love is the strength which she will draw on and keeps her from caving in. Britney’s parents aren’t perfect, but their intentions are noble. That is key.
Even now, as Lindsay’s dad attempts to break through the walls he helped create between he and his daughter, he is using her name and his infamy to garner attention for himself. We can’t be sure yet whether his intentions are noble, for they are truly ill-conceived and doing little for his case in the public eye.
As for Dina Lohan, she is beyond help. She is the person that Lindsay is probably most hurt by. Lindsay, who turns 21 in July, is not stupid. She is talented and there is something in her that shows me she is probably quite intelligent. But she isn’t learned, she is rather arrogant and hopelessly misguided. She knows that her mother is merely using her, just like everyone else. That has to be deeply painful.
Even Paris Hilton, 26, the oldest in the “bad-girl-posse”, has that crucial support that young people need on their way to adulthood. Most of us couldn’t possibly hope to understand the strange relationship she shares with her parents, who have had to watch her behave in ways that must be incredibly embarrassing, but somehow they remain close. And more importantly, they stand by her through each and every one of her screwups, united and squarely in her corner. I have to think that in private, there are some heated discussions about her behavior and I have no doubt they express their disapproval, while stating they still love her.
It’s easy for us to judge these young women, they make such glaringly awful decisions. We must also realize that studies have shown that young adults brains don’t fully mature until they are in their mid-twenties and you don’t stop being a parent when your child turns 18. It’s a life-long job. Certainly we can all think back to our youth and remember not heeding the advice we are given by our parents, but that doesn’t mean we didnt’ hear it. It just takes a while to sink in.
So really as the only parent in Lindsay’s life in the last couple of years, the responsibility for Lindsa’s behavior falls squarely on her mother, the one person who has done the most damage and the least good.
Shame on you Dina, the time has come for you to step up or step off.























