"You're a slut.” By the time a girl has reached the age of 13, she has been called either a slut, a whore, or any other offensive and/or derogatory term. Even in a joking manner, these words are no joke. Most people have heard the timeless saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It's time to put an end to this "timeless" saying. Words hurt. Words are powerful. Therefore, we must be mindful of our language and speech. How you choose to use that language not only affects you, but those around you. Being called a slut is not just being called any word, but rather it provokes a painful future for these girls.
It is no secret that adolescence is a vulnerable time for girls. They are just starting to realize the importance of self-love, and the opinions of others hold agency over their bodies and minds. When a girl is called a slut, it is crippling to both her self-esteem and self-worth. Her fragile self-image is easily altered by the words of others. The casual use of derogatory terms sets a precedence against females, making others believe that these words are much less harmful than they actually are. Language not only affects people on an individual level, but on a public platform as well. When a girl is talked about as a slut or a whore in the presence of others, she is given a reputation that can stick with her for an extended period of time. When boys misinterpret these rumors to be true, they can take things too far with a girl and try something sexually that they otherwise would not. After all, a slut is willing to sleep with anyone, right? One in seven girls will be sexually abused before they turn 18. Although language is not the sole reason for sexual assault, it is most certainly a contributing factor. While girls have the power to say no, it is not definite that the male will accept this lack of consent. When young woman enter their college years, they become even more susceptible to being victims of sexual assault. One in 4 college women will be the victim of sexual assault during her academic career.
Themed parties such as Lax Bros and Yoga Hoes demonstrate how the usage and stigma of these offensive words are used casually in social settings. Here, language is used to tell women how they should act, dress, and feel about themselves. Since the theme, in itself, calls these girls hoes, they are more likely to embody the stereotypical image of a slut and the wrong men are more likely to perceive them in that manner. On top of this, drinking only inhibits female’s ability to fight back against these stereotypes. We all know when both young men and women are under the influence, their chances of being taken advantage of increases. When a girl is given a reputation as easy, guys are more likely to act on these preconceived notions and pursue her sexually. It’s unfair to assume that men are only looking for sex, but hookup culture is something that exists in the minds of young men during their college years. We use negative language in such a casual manner to the point where we forget what these words mean and the effects of using them.
It is obvious that language is powerful well beyond a woman’s academic career. The everlasting impact that language and words have on girls can be carried with them throughout life. It shapes how they see themselves and in turn how others see them.
A message to boys and girls who casually call anyone a slut or a whore: think about what you’re really saying. Although you may not realize it, what you say has a lasting impact on the person to which you're speaking. They may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel. If you put people down in such a way, they will see themselves as worthless. No one is worthless. Language is powerful; it can build people up or tear them down. How will you choose to use it?
