Grsj224/slutshaming

From UBC Wiki

Slut Shaming on College Campuses in North America

by: Arezoo Shahnaz

This image is taken from https://www.trustedclothes.com/blog/2016/06/14/slut-shaming/

What is "Slut Shaming"?

“Slut shaming” is defined as an act of condemning women for alleged sexual behaviour; sexual behavior which is common among young North American women. [1] Slut shaming, or sexual labeling, is a form of sexual oppression, serving to remind women of their gendered status within a patriarchal society [2] Despite advances made regarding cultural conceptions of gender and sexuality, (i.e., sexual revolution, increased availability of contraception, and greater liberal views towards sexuality) the slut shaming of women persists. Essentially, society disapproves of female sexual desire and expression by judging women who do engage in sexual behaviour, or are simply interested in sexual activity prior to marriage, as “less than” and “dirty”.[3]

Slut shaming discourse is a common dialogue among college students as hookup culture is characteristic of the majority of the sexual and romantic behavior on college campuses in North America. “Hookup culture” is defined as the movement away from a culture of dating towards a culture of casual and commitment-free sexual encounters. [4]

Where Did "Slut Shaming" Originate From?

Slut shaming is based on sexual double standards established and upheld by men, to women’s disadvantage; [5] a product of the sexual double standards evident throughout history where men and women have been exposed to different “rules” guiding their sexual behavior. Historically, women have been defamed for engaging in any type of sexual activity outside of a heterosexual, monogamous marriage. Conversely, men have been rewarded for such behavior and such sexual behavior is actually expected from men. [6]

Women have historically been faced with a Madonna-whore dichotomy (also known as the virgin/slut dichotomy) which refers to the fact that women are either “pure and virginal” or “promiscuous and easy”; placing women in these dichotomies equates women’s value with their sexuality, teaching women that their self-worth is determined by their sexual status. [7] The dichotomous view of women has created many negative consequences for women; for a female to be too sexually interested within the North American context, especially outside the context of an intimate relationship, it implies masculinity or desperation, or even as a result of a lack of proper upbringing (ultimately lowering their social class status). Women are often referred to as “not girlfriend material” when deviating from their sexual script of being a “pure virgin.” [8] Young men are taught to desire and pursue sex regardless of the relational and emotional context; whereas, women, are allowed sexual activity only within the context of “love” and committed relationships. When women are perceived as provocative or promiscuous, labeled as a “slut”, they can become targets for ridicule, judgment, ostracism, and violence. [9] Slut shaming implies that society regards women’s body and their sexual interests as public concern or a public matter; this leads to sexual entitlement, implying that a man may feel as through he has control over a women, leading to sexual violence. [10]

Slut Shaming on College Campuses

“Hookups” and sexual interactions between partners without a romantic commitment are quite common among adolescents and young adults on college campuses; with estimates ranging as high as 81% of students reporting at least one hookup experience. [11] This commonality is paradoxical as progressive sexuality is common among college campuses given greater liberal attitudes, greater education on sexual health, and more access to birth control technologies; however, slut shaming is still very evident. 60.8% of individuals from a college campus in Texas reported judging a woman based on the way she was dressed and 61.1% reported using derogatory language about the way she was dressed. 77.5% of the same individuals reported that they believed they should not be able to have multiple sexual partners. Over 70% of these respondents reported that the media in the United States influences their perception of women. [12]

Young college attending women describe stories in which they were actually still a virgin the first time they were labeled a “slut”. The "slut" label as many women recall, was due to simply being open regarding sexuality and masturbation; emphasizing that often slut stigma is disconnected from actual sexual behavior, but rather aimed towards any sexual interest shown from women. [13] In particular, a vast majority of college women report experiencing forms of sexual and romantic alienation, sexual health concerns, exploitation, and mistreatment from their peers due to engaging in casual sex, as engaging in casual sex is synonymous with being a “slut” bringing upon negative attitudes towards women. [14] For example, the simple inclusion of the word “slut” in a description of an average college women, motivates college students to perceive that women more negatively, associating her with variables such as “impure, vulgar, morbid, and corrupt.” Women who are labeled as “sluts” will face negative perceptions from their peers as they are often considered to be “dirty” “deviant” and “tainted.” [15]

Slut shaming creates further dangers for women as the number one reported barrier to reporting sexual assault is shame, guilt, and embarrassment over what had happened, having others know what had happened, and being thought of as a “slut.” [16] Slut shaming is a gendered discourse as the same does not apply for men. Despite progress in regards to sexual freedom and liberal views, women continue to be denied the same sexual freedoms enjoyed by men in regards to casual sex; it is the norm that females are shamed and ridiculed for acting on their sexual desires outside of a monogamous, heterosexual relationship. [17]

SlutWalks

A new form of protest has emerged in recent years known as “SlutWalks” where women against victim-blaming and slut-shaming from patriarchal societies march, protest, carry homemade signs, dance, cry, and share stories of sexual assault and humiliation. SlutWalks are a movement aimed to address the objectification of women and a form of protest against gender-based violence. Common signs made and displayed at these protests include slogans such as; "My Dress is Not a Yes," "Walk of No Shame," and "Slut Pride." SlutWalks originated in North America; however, they have spread to other countries and continents. In 2011, SlutWalk protests took place in over 200 cities and 40 countries (i.e., Spain, Hungary, Finland, Norway, South Korea, South Africa, Australia, Canada, England, etc). Rather than supporting the dominant cultural idea that women should be sexually coy and defensive, SlutWalks promote the notion of sexual freedom and an end to "slut shaming" and victim blaming within society. [18]

SlutWalks occur all over North America, for more information regarding SlutWalks and locations of SlutWalks please visit; http://amberroseslutwalk.com/, http://www.slutwalkdc.com/, http://slutwalknyc.com/

References:

  1. ↑ Armstrong, E. A., Hamilton, L. T., Armstrong, E. M., & Seeley, J. L. (2014). “Good Girls”: Gender, social class, and slut discourse on campus. Social Psychology Quarterly, 77(2), 100-122. doi:10.1177/0190272514521220.
  2. ↑ Rahimi, R., & Liston, D. D. (2009). What does she expect when she dresses like that? Teacher interpretation of emerging adolescent female sexuality. Educational Studies: A Journal of the American Educational Studies Association, 45, 512-533.
  3. ↑ Webb, L. M. (2015). Shame transfigured: slut-shaming from Rome to cyberspace. First Monday, 20(4). doi:10.5210/fm.v20i4.5464.
  4. ↑ Almazan, V. A., & Bain, S. F. (2015). College students’ perceptions of slut-shaming discourse on campus. Research in Higher Education Journal , 28.
  5. ↑ Armstrong, E. A., Hamilton, L. T., Armstrong, E. M., & Seeley, J. L. (2014). “Good Girls”: Gender, social class, and slut discourse on campus. Social Psychology Quarterly, 77(2), 100-122. doi:10.1177/0190272514521220.
  6. ↑ Crawford, M., & Popp, D. (2003). Sexual double standards: A review and methodological critique of two decades of research. The Journal of Sex Research, 40, 13-26.
  7. ↑ Crawford, M., & Popp, D. (2003). Sexual double standards: A review and methodological critique of two decades of research. The Journal of Sex Research, 40, 13-26.
  8. ↑ Wiederman, M. W. (2005). The Gendered Nature of Sexual Scripts. The Family Journal, 13(4), 496-502.
  9. ↑ Hughes, M. (2016). "She's Just a Slut": The Effect of Language on the Perceived Value and Worth of Women.. (Electronic Thesis or Dissertation). Retrieved from https://etd.ohiolink.edu/.
  10. ↑ Fielder, R. L., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Predictors and consequences of sexual “hookups” among college students: A short-term prospective study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(5), 1105-1119. doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9448-4.
  11. ↑ Fielder, R. L., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Predictors and consequences of sexual “hookups” among college students: A short-term prospective study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(5), 1105-1119. doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9448-4.
  12. ↑ Almazan, V. A., & Bain, S. F. (2015). College students’ perceptions of slut-shaming discourse on campus. Research in Higher Education Journal , 28.
  13. ↑ Armstrong, E. A., Hamilton, L. T., Armstrong, E. M., & Seeley, J. L. (2014). “Good Girls”: Gender, social class, and slut discourse on campus. Social Psychology Quarterly, 77(2), 100-122. doi:10.1177/0190272514521220.
  14. ↑ Lovejoy, M. C. (2015). Hooking up as an individualistic practice: A double-edged sword for college women. Sexuality & Culture, 19(3), 464-492. doi:10.1007/s12119-015-9270-9.
  15. ↑ Hughes, M. (2016). "She's Just a Slut": The Effect of Language on the Perceived Value and Worth of Women.. (Electronic Thesis or Dissertation). Retrieved from https://etd.ohiolink.edu/.
  16. ↑ Sable, M. R., Danis, F., Mauzy, D. L., & Gallagher, S. K. (2006). Barriers to reporting sexual assault for women and men: Perspectives of college students. Journal of American College Health, 55(3), 157-162. doi:10.3200/jach.55.3.157-162.
  17. ↑ Webb, L. M. (2015). Shame transfigured: slut-shaming from Rome to cyberspace. First Monday, 20(4). doi:10.5210/fm.v20i4.5464.
  18. ↑ Carr, L. J. (2013). The slutwalk movement: A study in transnational feminist activism. Journal of Feminist Scholarship, 4.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.ubc.ca/index.php?title=Grsj224/slutshaming&oldid=451596"