Stud vs slag
Women who sleep around are labelled 'slappers' while men who do the same are called 'playboys'. TheSite.org investigates the sexist behaviour that just won't disappear.
What's the story?
As individuals, we all have more sexual freedom than ever before, but old habits die hard. Men who have had several sexual partners still tend to be seen in a more positive light, and women who have had the same number of partners seem to be judged much more harshly. In all the recent surveys of sexual behaviour, the average male claims to have had almost twice as many previous girlfriends when compared to the number of the average female's boyfriends. What's going on there then? It doesn't add up. Many researchers think that men tend to exaggerate when answering surveys, and that women tone down their sexual history too, hence the gap. Which suggests there's still plenty of social pressure on all of us to appear to behave in an 'acceptable way'.
A bloke usually gets kudos from his mates for his string of past lovers, and it's something good to boast to his mates about down the pub. He's most likely to get a pat on the back, some admiration, or even a few jealous comments. He'll be called a stud, a playboy, a man of the world, even Mr. Loverman. None of which is likely to send you rushing off to the toilets in tears.
Women who have had several lovers tend to be frowned upon if they boast about it, or even mention it. They are usually labelled negatively, with comments such as 'cheap', 'easy', 'slag', 'slapper', 'tart', 'whore', and so on. Many of the comments suggest she is a prostitute, servicing men as a business transaction, rather than an adult who just enjoys sex.
So to readdress the balance, what can women do?
Be ruder to men who sleep around
Yes, that's right. Women should not have a monopoly on being the brunt of the shitty remarks about their sexual history. Don't give that fella the impression that he's The Man if he's a sleazy saddo who's just racking up notches on his bedpost. Call him a shallow man-whore and have done with it.
Be equally rude to everyone, not just females. If the person in your office who has shagged most of your co-workers happens to be a bloke, then break with tradition and call him the 'company bike' (everyone's had a ride) to his face.
Celebrate female sexuality
Let's be honest, the reason women are put down so viciously for their love lives is often down to female jealousy, or male insecurity. Worried she'll steal your boyfriend, girls? Worried she's more experienced in bed, or had better lovers than you boys? Get over it.
Wahey! In times gone by, a passionate woman who took attractive lovers and lived by her own rules was not automatically assumed to be a cheap hooker. They were called adventuresses, the female equivalent of the stud. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Time to dust this one down and start using it again.
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