Would you call it sexy? The word slut is a common slur in our modern day vernacular. No doubt, it still carries weight if said with malicious intent.
But in recent years, the word has become deeply ingrained into our culture to the point where people say it too easily and too casually. As innocuous as using pejorative terms may seem when used in reference to clothing or the activities of others, they undoubtedly still imply negativity surrounding female sexuality. And using them just validates the societal standard of a perfect, virginal-until-marriage, demure woman as an ideal. Many of us have been called a slut at some point in our lives β or have thrown the epithet at someone else.
But what does it really mean? Because of this, it was frequently used as a term for kitchen maids and servant girls. Think about it: Have you ever called someone a slut, whether in jest or seriously? What did it mean to you? And what do you think it meant to the person it was directed toward? It happens all the time. We condemn our sexual thoughts as slutty instead of explorative.
Did you even consider using an alternative word? Or was slut the first thing β almost the natural thing β that came to mind? Take Rehtaeh Parsons of Canada, who was allegedly raped by four boys who distributed photos of the attack online.
She was afterwards bullied and slut-shamed mercilessly by her peers to the point where she decided to take her own life at 17 years of age. She had to leave the community.
