As college women, our sex lives tend to be put on display. There’s the “walk of shame”. The “shack shirt”. However, I’ve noticed, at least in my friend group and on my campus, that women are turning their backs on those tired old stereotypes that we should be ashamed if we spent the night with someone. I’ve had friends sternly tell boys that they spent the night with that they were not doing the “walk of the shame” in the morning, because what’s shameful about walking home in the morning after you had a good time? These days, I have noticed a definite shift in women’s attitudes towards each other when it comes to what other women do with their own sex lives. We encourage each other to go forth and do whatever (and whoever) we want to do, with the caveat that we are being safe and responsible.
Among my friends, we cheer each other on as long as we were comfortable and certain about their decision, and that is usually the case. For example, I had a friend who hooked up with a really handsome guy, the kind of guy that every girl drools over, and we all high-fived her. I remember thinking in that moment that we were finally acting the way guys do when they hook up with a girl; we were proud of our friend for having a good time. If a girl enjoyed herself just as much as the guy she hooked up with did, why do we not look at the same way? The only difference is that girls are made to feel dirty after hookups, regardless of the fact that there are two people involved. It has never been fair that the girl gets labeled as promiscuous, no matter what, and the guy is basically a god, no matter what.
The good news is, that ridiculous mentality is changing. The “walk of shame” is now a walk of pride. The “shack shirt” is a trophy (hello, who doesn’t want a free shirt?). So, Collegiettes, remember that if you were safe and responsible with that guy or girl you hooked up with, own it. It’s your life, and you’re enjoying yourself, so hold your head high when you’re walking home the next morning in that new t-shirt.