It’s no secret that being a modern woman is synonymous with many offensive terms, but that has nothing to do with the women they’re being aimed at. Instead, it has everything to do with the toxic society we’ve been raised in. In fact, a woman embracing her sexuality is not a “slut;” a woman who is a strong leader isn’t a “bitch.” The women who take on traditionally masculine roles aren’t “dykes.” Our language has more derogatory terms for women than nearly anything else. It’s 2018 now, and it’s time for our freedoms to stop being limited; it’s time for our strengths to stop being demonized.
First of all, let’s talk about sex. Yes, I said it, and I haven’t disgraced my honor or made myself a less respectable person. Society teaches girls to be afraid of sex from a young age. We’re taught that our virginity is a gift to be given away, and if we give it to the “wrong person” the consequences will be disastrous. We’re told to feel dirty and impure, that sexuality is a sin, and “if you have sex, you’ll get pregnant and die” (thanks for that one, Mean Girls). In reality, there’s nothing wrong with choosing to be sexually active, choosing to wait until marriage, or choosing to never have sex at all. Your personal choices have no effect on anything or anyone other than yourself and the partner(s) you choose. Names like “slut” and “whore” are childish insults designed to make a woman feel powerless and ashamed.
I’m going to let everyone in on a secret: a woman who engages in sexual behaviors, willingly or unwillingly, is not diminished in value. Virginity is nothing more than an antiquated social construct designed to control females. Today, it has become a way to judge others for their personal choices. If a woman has sex, she’s a slut… but she’s a prude if she doesn’t. It’s a double standard full of name-calling, and there’s no way for anyone to win. Please always keep in mind that your intimate, personal choices are not a measure of your worth in any way.
You deserve the same freedom as any man. Why is he praised for having a lot of sex, but you’re taught that it’s unacceptable for you to do the same? Why is it that a man in a leadership role is seen as “strong and in charge” but a woman is labeled “bossy and bitchy” for doing the same? A woman is just as capable of leading as any man, despite societal reservations suggesting otherwise. During Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign, a common criticism toward her was that her hormones would get in the way of her running the country. Sarah Palin experienced similar criticisms, and she was asked how she would balance the American Vice Presidency and motherhood in 2008. We stigmatize the working woman and working mother, implying she is incapable of doing nothing more than bearing and rearing children. In reality, she can be a mother and a leader, a friend and a CEO, a politician and a parent, and a sister and a teacher. This year, it is more imperative than ever that we assure women they’re capable of being anything they desire.
To make a change, it takes an army of empowered women working together. What’s in a name, you ask? Power. All those “sluts,” “bitches,” “dykes,” “whores,” “airheads,” and “femi-nazis” are ready to change the world. Step 1: change the label to Girl Boss. If you’re not sure why this is appropriate, you’ll just have to wait and see what a woman can do.