Since "slut shaming" has been deemed politically incorrect, you don't hear as many people characterizing women with that awful word. Here are your thoughts:
JOHN: Sluts? Is this the 21st or the 12th century?
JOE: Statistics show that women between the ages of 25 and 44 have had an average of four sexual partners, and 10 percent of women say they've had sex with more than 15 partners.
A lot of women deliberately lose their virginity before going to college because they don't want to be viewed as unsophisticated. They often cite the "rule of fingers." (You should be able to count the number of partners on both hands.) In fact, some women refer to themselves as sluts with pride.
So my question to you is: Why is the term "slut" offensive when it merely describes the behavior that is currently acceptable and the norm for a majority of the female population?
JAKE: Regarding women with a past, I guess I would not want to be the last to know. If I were out in public, especially in a small town, I'd be uneasy if I were getting furtive glances and hearing shielded whispers. A man has to ask himself if he's mature enough to endure the occasional smirks he'll encounter.
By the way, can you imagine what it feels like to be sitting in an apartment sauna listening to a guy brag about his latest conquest and then discover he's talking about your girlfriend? I walked out with my tail between my legs and a tear in my eye. To me, she was very special. To him she was not.
HARPER: Everybody loves a reformed slut! The girl who's had quite a few and could have had quite a few more but gave it all up for the love of a good man is always more interesting than the girl whose curiosity finally made her give it up to someone who will have to live up to a whole lifetime of expectations. (What human being can do that?)
JACKIE: Men, straight or gay, can be sluts. Sleeping around and using people for sex is just as reprehensible for men as it is for women.
MARY: The word "slut" really doesn't have the same effect when used to describe a man. It's still a word used to try to control women by making them sound worthless if they have sex. This is really all about male insecurity and lack of self-awareness.
CASEY: I have never used a word like "slut" in my life. I don't think people are defined by their sexual history.
COLLIN: How many sex partners make a woman a slut? Some religious extremists consider anything over one partner slutty. And they consider anyone who has sex for any reason, other than to have a child, to be promiscuous — even if they're married. And if you enjoy it, then for sure you're a slut. They seem to believe that God made sex enjoyable as a temptation to be overcome. And God also gave them the right to judge anyone else who doesn't feel the same way.
What's your definition of "slut"? Send your tale, along with your questions, problems and rants to [email protected]. And check out my e-books, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front" and "I'll Call You. Not."
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