On a daily basis, people shame others because they disapprove of life standards that are not their own. After years of being slut-shamed, thirteen year old girl Rachael Ehmke killed herself because she was slut-shamed, despite not having a sexual history. Labels evolve throughout time to fit the description of the offender, thus words like “slut” can be used to describe anybody. Although the term can be interpreted differently according to the perpetrator, it is mostly a sexist insult used by women to describe other women. The term “slut” is a destructive label that intentionally humiliates the lives of many and must be eradicated for the benefit of women.
The term “slut” can be vastly interpreted. Ranging from a sexually promiscuous woman, …show more content…
There is a double standard that separates both genders. Because the term “slut” refers to women there is sexism integrated within society. This culture profiles women and has existed for a long time. In 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, the main protagonist Hester Prynne is condemned for adultery by wearing an “A” around her neck. Long before social media, language against women’s sexuality had existed. Throughout time it became culturally acceptable to refer women as sexual slurs. Because the only punished people were the women victims, it created a society that bullies young women into thinking they are less than those who claim they are. Consequently, a series of mental breakdowns ensure because of slut-shaming. These include depression, self-loathing, and suicide. A society’s language often persecutes a group of people, specifically, the term “slut” shames women from acknowledging oneself and deliberately accuses them for being worthless than “normal” …show more content…
Only is the word tolerable when said from friends and family, similar to the word “nigger” in the article the “The Meanings of Word” by Gloria Naylor. Although the word can be used to tease around friends, its concept is used to put down an individual’s set of values because they do not follow someone else’s set of values. Until someone hears “a small pair of lips that had already learned it could be a way to humiliate [someone]” individuals can realize its dark impact (1). By embracing the term, women confirm to stereotypical descriptions regarding what a slut is. Because the term is offensive, it is still insinuating that an individual is worth more than somebody else. In order to benefit society, the term “slut” has to be eliminated. By eliminating the double standard existing between men and women, the word holds no power. As a result, crimes such as rape hold accountable the criminal committing the deed and rumors about sexual intercourse are not overblown as they currently are. Only by eliminating the word can spark a new movement where women can openly discuss about their sexual
The term “slut” can be vastly interpreted. Ranging from a sexually promiscuous woman, …show more content…
There is a double standard that separates both genders. Because the term “slut” refers to women there is sexism integrated within society. This culture profiles women and has existed for a long time. In 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, the main protagonist Hester Prynne is condemned for adultery by wearing an “A” around her neck. Long before social media, language against women’s sexuality had existed. Throughout time it became culturally acceptable to refer women as sexual slurs. Because the only punished people were the women victims, it created a society that bullies young women into thinking they are less than those who claim they are. Consequently, a series of mental breakdowns ensure because of slut-shaming. These include depression, self-loathing, and suicide. A society’s language often persecutes a group of people, specifically, the term “slut” shames women from acknowledging oneself and deliberately accuses them for being worthless than “normal” …show more content…
Only is the word tolerable when said from friends and family, similar to the word “nigger” in the article the “The Meanings of Word” by Gloria Naylor. Although the word can be used to tease around friends, its concept is used to put down an individual’s set of values because they do not follow someone else’s set of values. Until someone hears “a small pair of lips that had already learned it could be a way to humiliate [someone]” individuals can realize its dark impact (1). By embracing the term, women confirm to stereotypical descriptions regarding what a slut is. Because the term is offensive, it is still insinuating that an individual is worth more than somebody else. In order to benefit society, the term “slut” has to be eliminated. By eliminating the double standard existing between men and women, the word holds no power. As a result, crimes such as rape hold accountable the criminal committing the deed and rumors about sexual intercourse are not overblown as they currently are. Only by eliminating the word can spark a new movement where women can openly discuss about their sexual