The Vilification of Women

An Essay By Uzuri Boatwright

November 27, 2016

Slut-shaming is a 21st century term that dates back to female monstrosity which is a concept that came about in 17th century English literature. Leora Tanenbaum says that slut-shaming is “a casual method of judgement. . . a method of policing a girl or a woman for being inappropriately sexual” [5]. This definition leaves room for debate and questioning because who decides what degree of sexuality is inappropriate for a woman? Is this degree of sexuality equivalent or different for men? These questions relate female monstrosity, the context of women being perceived as monsters in regards to childbirth, natural bodily functions, and sexual preferences or promiscuity, to slut-shaming. In a world where women are seen as objects and sexual beings for the pleasure of men whether in books, movies, or television shows, it is important to dissect these concepts. Slut-shaming minimizes the beauty of the female anatomy, hinders women’s abilities to be sexual beings, promotes a double standard with men, and discredits women which is illustrated through horror films, myths, stories and current media rendering women monstrous.

Horror films such as “The Exorcist” directed in 1973 by William Friedkin illustrates a young girl who is filled with a demonic spirit. The main character is hypersexualized, is seen dripping menstrual blood, and covered in vomit or other “disgusting” bodily fluids. Age 12 is around the time that most girls begin their menstrual cycle, and the main character of “The Exorcist” was 12-years-old. Menstruation is a natural process that occurs once a month for females to prepare their body for pregnancy. Horror movies often depict women on their periods in vile ways which makes this process seem scary, nasty, and evil. This takes away from the beauty of this process that allows women to give life. Childbirth is a miracle that many admire because it can only be done by women, not all women can give birth, and it requires a great deal of mental, physical, and emotional strength. So why is it that horror films take this phenomenon and make it monstrous? It is a way to control the minds of women and make them feel insecure about their bodies in the presence of men.

Religion or lack thereof is the root of most people’s actions in terms of what one considers to be moral or immoral. Religious people believe that sex before marriage is sinful or immoral which shapes their opinion of women who are promiscuous. Chaste women were seen as good while women who were not virgins were seen as evil. Nymphs in Greek mythology are a perfect example of women who were open sexual beings hence the term nymphomaniac; women with uncontrollable or excessive sexual desire. Nymphs were often associated with nature and wilderness because men do not have the ability to control these elements. For this reason, nymphs go against a patriarchal society which renders them monstrous in addition to the fact that nymphs are all women. This brought fear to mortal men in addition to the fact that nymphs were said to entice them sexually. [1]

Likewise, since women’s bodies are seen as seductive and sexual beings, many believe that women have the power to make men do immoral things such as cat calling, rape, and commit adultery. “Thus, we come to the juggernaut of sexual regulation over women’s bodies: when the female body is believed to be a tool of sorcery and seduction it is neither safe in the bikini where it is on full display. . .” (Renold and Ringrose 334). This quote exemplifies the mindset that some people have when it comes to the correlation of how a woman dresses and the attention she receives from men as a direct result. In other words, women will get called sluts or comments will be made like, “she was asking for it” when someone says that a victim of sexual assault was wearing sexy or provocative clothing. This sends a message that women are not safe whether they are covered up or decide to show skin because some people will always perceive women as objects instead of human beings with feelings. Women should not have to live in fear of being called whores, prostitutes, or strippers when they decide to go out braless, wear short skirts, and see through clothing. Society should not crucify them for expressing their confidence and appreciating their body’s.

There is a clear connection in slut-shaming and victim blaming when it comes to people placing the blame on women when men are in the wrong. For example, why is it that people are quick to persecute the woman for exposing her body and assuming she sent the male mixed signals instead of asking why the man did not control his sexual urges? Most women dress for themselves instead of seeking the attention of men contrary to belief. This attitude has caused many women to receive the bitter or angry stereotype when participating in events such as slut walks which are put on for women to reclaim the power of being called a slut. It is a form of power feminism in the 21st century.

A double standard is a rule or principle that is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups.  There is a huge double standard in regards to promiscuity amongst women and men. Examples of this can be seen in types of parenting between male and female parents when discussing sex with their children. In most movies, you will see the mother having a talk with their daughter about not getting pregnant, sleeping around, and not bringing shame on the family name by being sexually active before marriage. On the other hand, you will see a scene of a father asking his son if he knows how to use a condom or asking how many girls he has slept with. “Although young men are expected to desire and pursue sex regardless of relational and emotional context, young women are permitted sexual activity only when in committed relationships and ‘in love’” (Armstrong and Hamilton 101). This promotes a double standard because it shows that it is okay for males to sleep around and not be called a slut or hoe while any woman who loves sex and chooses not to commit to one man is considered loose or grown.

Men are not the only ones who believe this principle on promiscuity; however, it does not make it okay for women to promote this double standard either because it boxes women in. Women should be able to indulge in their sexual desires without feeling ashamed. They should be able to feel empowered when sharing their sexual stories just as boys do in the locker room or remembering them in the comforts of their bedroom without remorse and fear. “Gorilla Girl” by Bonnie Jo Campbell is a great illustration of a girl who is unrestrained with her sexual desires. She is not scared of what others think of her because she is self-reliant. The only reason she sleeps with men is to seek a greater fulfillment sexually than she can give herself. Also, she did not allow what people thought of her to taint the image she had of herself. She walked in her truth and she was proud of it.

The current president elect, Donald Trump, has been caught multiple times in the media for being sexist and making comments that demean women. On September 30th of this year, Trump decided to publicly slut-shame former Miss Universe, Alicia Machado on twitter. Trump used to be her boss during her time doing the Miss Universe pageant where she said Trump would call her fat and ugly. Machado chose to give her support to Hillary Clinton due to her views on immigration laws being an immigrant herself. Machado used her platform to encourage voters to vote for Clinton which Trump did not like. Consequently, he said, “Did Crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out sex tape and past) Alicia M become a U.S. citizen so she could use her in the debate?”. This is one of the few tweets Trump made to try and discredit Machado and Clinton. [4]

This is an example of how slut-shaming is used to discredit women’s credentials. Just because Alicia Machado made a sex tape, it does not take away from the fact that she has personal experience with becoming a U.S. citizen and that her testimony and knowledge on the justice system can help others like her. This tactic is often used in politics when men are going against female candidates as if a woman’s sexual history takes away from her degree and ability to run a city, state, or the country. “Slut shaming is thus about sexual inequality and reinforces male dominance and female subordination” (Armstrong and Hamilton 101). Men fear women in power because they realize that it goes against what is considered traditional in a balance of power; patriarchal society. Slut-shaming is deeper than the female appearance; slut-shaming is a scape goat for power struggles between men and women which leads to women being vilified.

Slut-bashing diminishes the beauty of the female anatomy, obstructs women’s abilities to be confident in their sexuality, promotes a double standard with men, and discredits women which is illustrated through horror films, myths, stories and current media rendering women monstrous. The beauty of the female anatomy is diminished due to the constant grotesque illustration of women’s natural bodily functions in art forms such as movies. Comparisons like good representing chastity and open sexuality representing evil cause women to be weary when it comes to expressing their carnal desires. Greek mythology stories about the all-female group of fairies called nymphs exemplifies how a woman’s sexuality makes men fearful and causes others to turn their noses down at women who are confident in themselves. It is as if being confident in their sexuality is wrong because it makes others uncomfortable. This can be seen in the constant promotion of the double standard: “The sexually active man receives praise, and the sexually active woman gets mocked” (Paquette). Women have been getting vilified for centuries and the only way this will change is if women support each other, walk in their birth right as women, and challenge these male-controlled standards instead of condoning these stereotypes in literature, films, and media. Promiscuity and eroticism do not make women monstrous and virtuousness does not make a person a saint.



Tanenbeum, Leora. "I AM NOT A SLUT: SLUT-SHAMING IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET." Bitch Magazine: Feminist Response to Pop Culture. Bitch Publications, 1 Mar. 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.

References

"Nymphs." Nymphs. Ailiathena@yahoo.com, 16 July 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.


Paquette, Danielle. "‘Public Slut-shaming’ and Donald Trump’s Attack on a Former Miss Universe’s Alleged Sex History." The Washington Post 30 Sept. 2016: 1-4. Print.


Ringrose, Jessica, and Emma Renold. "Slut-shaming, Girl Power and ‘sexualisation’: Thinking through the Politics of the International SlutWalks with Teen Girls." Gender and Education 24.3 (2012): 333-43. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.