I heard she was born naked. That slut.

"Slut is applied to women engaged in any activity besides knitting, praying, or sitting perfectly still lest any sudden movements be deemed whorish" -Jessica Valenti

If you are a woman, chances are you've been called a slut at some point in your life. I know I have many times, but were my actions actually "slutty"? Take a look at the image above, for example. How can someone be called a slut if they are still a virgin? The definition of a slut is a sexually promiscuous woman, or a woman who behaves or dresses in an overtly sexual way. People have taken this term to describe any woman, young or old, who they disapprove of in some way, shape, or form. Women are expected to look beautiful and sexy at all times, but if she's wearing anything remotely promiscuous or revealing, she's a slut. Women are expected to be sexually knowing and sophisticated, but if she crosses some imaginary line that society has created, she's a slut. It's a lose-lose situation. If a woman so much as acts assertive in a situation, she's a slut. On the contrary, men are praised for their assertiveness and having sex with as many women as they possibly can. When men act in these ways, it is downplayed and accepted because "boys will be boys". Where did this double standard come from, and how can we put an end to this normalized trend known as "slut shaming"?

The image below is a great example of slut shaming by another girl. Why does this girl feel obligated to tell other women how they should wear their clothes? Why do women have to constantly think about what other girls are thinking and saying about them, based on their appearance?

Men are no better. They are quick to call a woman a slut if she "puts out" on the first date, but if she doesn't, she's irrelevant, unfeminine, or prude. I recently read an article that talked about dating apps and the author was advising women not to have sex until they are in a committed relationship. The article went on to talk about how men place women into 2 categories: women he would sleep with and women he would date. Don't these two usually go hand in hand? Apparently not. If a woman is sexually active, that is all she's good for. She can't possibly be girlfriend or wife material, because she's a slut.


This picture does a great job depicting the double standard we see in today's society. While men are seen as "cool", "macho", or a "ladies man", women are seen as "dirty", "easy", or "promiscuous".

With a rise in the use of social media, especially among younger girls and teenagers, slut shaming has been easier than ever before. All it takes is one picture or post about another girl for hundreds of people to see within seconds. We all know about the Steubenville High School rape that took place in 2012. A high school girl was repeatedly and publicly sexually assaulted by her peers when she was drunk, and it was documented on social media. Take a look at some of the responses to the trial.











It goes without saying that slut shaming has led to sexual abuse and rape, and more so than that, victim blaming. Once a woman is regarded as a slut, she becomes a target for sexual assault. After the assault has taken place, rather than blame the person responsible, the victim is blamed because she's a "slut" or "whore". Women who dress or act a certain way are accused of "asking for it", thus taking away any blame from                                                          the perpetrator himself. 

So what do we do? Well, for starters, girls need to stop calling themselves and each other sluts. Teenagers and young women will use this term to describe themselves in an effort to show their comfort with their sexuality. But this has only backfired and led to an increased risk of sexual assault. It all begins with the individual. Avoiding any type of participation in shaming, through media or otherwise; taking shaming words out of your vocabulary; speaking up and saying something when you hear slut shaming. These are all things people can do to help the problem. Many women have spoken out and rallied against slut shaming, including celebrities. Amy Schumer, Ariana Grande, and Beyonce are just a few examples of celebrities who have spoken out in books, songs, or talk shows. The SlutWalk movement was created in response to a Toronto police officer stating that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized". The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness and put an end to a culture in which it is considered acceptable to blame the victim. Take Back the Night is another movement aimed to create safe communities, seeking to end sexual assault and abuse.


So, my questions for you: Why do you think a double standard still exists for men and women when it comes to having sex and expressing sexuality? Why has society become so accepting of slut shaming, and what can we do to help put an end to it?