The Term Slut: Feminist Analysis

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Like ‘nigger,’ the term ‘slut’ has also been widely used to describe a stigmatized group in a derogatory way. ‘Slut’ was first used to refer to a “dirty, untidy, or slovenly woman,” but is now used in the modern sense to signify a sexually promiscuous woman (Harper, 2015). The term typically implies loose moral character and other negative judgements commonly associated with excessive sexual activity, and has no common pejorative male equivalent. This links it to a traditionally negative societal view of women as sexual beings, and the subsequent degradation of women perceived to be ‘slutty.’ As a result of its derogatory reference to female sexuality, ‘slut’ and related terms become a topic of discussion in feminist discourse. Its use has …show more content…

The marches were organized by feminist groups in response to Constable Michael Sanguinetti’s statement that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized” (Craig, 2011). The demonstrations, called ‘SlutWalks,’ consist primarily of young women marching in provocative clothing to protest the attribution of sexual assault to a victim’s appearance and “assumptions about their sexuality,” as well as other forms of victim-blaming (Jarvis et al., 2011, FAQs). These marches are part of a larger sex-positive feminist movement in support of rape victims and against …show more content…

Social movements such as the SlutWalks can promote solidarity between women through ideologies that promote female empowerment and sexual liberation, which can further encourage reclamation in that the group is likely to seek a defining label for themselves, as is the case with ‘slut.’ According to SlutWalk organizer Karen Pickering, “if you call one of us a slut, you call all of us a slut, and we’re not afraid of that word — the more we use it, the less power it has” (Westcott, 2011). This demonstrates how solidarity may be achieved through the reclamation of a term by voluntarily applying it to a stigmatized group, as the act of self-labeling may be used to achieve an ameliorated group identity. This is in contrast to being labeled by outsiders, as this would not invoke the positive in-group identity associated with the term (Galinsky et al., 2003, p. 245). This forms a reciprocal relationship between the SlutWalks and the reclamation of ‘slut,’ as the movement provides motivation for reappropriation in the form of a desire for group solidarity, while the act of reappropriation simultaneously strengthens the group’s identity through unified

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