7 Degrading Sexist Phrases That Everyone Should Stop Saying ...

Sabrina

We're all guilty of using sexist phrases, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s okay. When you use these sexist phrases that everyone should stop saying, you subtly promote inequality and double standards for women. When you really put thought into the things you say, you’ll realize how harmful they truly can be.

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1

“like a Girl”

The phrase “like a girl” is hurtful to children in more ways than one. For little boys, it teaches them that girls are weak and less important than they are, which makes them more sexist. It also teaches girls that by being born a girl, they are already doing something wrong, and no matter how hard they try, their sex will always be the weaker sex. This sexist phrase is one you should stop saying regardless of who you are, but especially if you have a son.

2

“Asking for It”

Victim blaming needs to stop in order for rapists to be held accountable for their actions. While it takes more than just words to make a difference, taking out phrases like “She was asking for it” from your vocabulary will help you be more empathetic toward victims. Because the whole idea behind rape is that it’s sex without someone “asking for it”, and the only person at fault is the rapist, whether it’s a man or a woman.

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3

“Man up”

Like many sexist phrases, “man up” is a double-edged sword. This phrase associates strength with masculinity, which, while it is partially true, is ultimately harmful to both boys and girls. If girls think that only men have to be strong, they will be less likely to learn how to defend themselves and take care of themselves. On the other hand, boys will grow up thinking they have to hold in their emotions and always appear strong even when they’re broken inside, which is very harmful to their mental health.

4

“Slut”

“Slut” is probably my least favorite word on this list, because it’s the epitome of a double standard. By calling sexually active women “sluts”, you’re basically saying that she is less entitled than a man to exercise sexual freedom, because you would never call a man a slut. This word comes from the archaic belief that a woman’s worth is found only in her virginity, and it’s time to retire that belief.

5

“Prude”

The word “prude” proves that a woman just can’t win, because if she has sex she’s a slut, if she doesn’t then she’s a prude. If you support a woman’s right to control her own body, you should expel “slut” and “prude” from your vocabulary and not judge a woman’s character by the number of men she’s slept with.

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6

“Grow a Pair”

This one is similar to “man up”, but to me it’s even more ironic. If anything, we should say “Grow a vagina” which bleeds every month and pushes people into the world; that’s a symbol of strength! But ultimately, we need to adapt our language to reflect the idea that emotional stability and internal strength are independent of gender.

7

“Wearing the Pants”

If you ask a man “Who’s wearing the pants in your marriage?” you immediately emasculate him. Why? Because men are traditionally supposed to be the supporters and providers in a relationship, and, if the woman provides, she is taking something away from him. But like “sluts” and “prudes”, who “wears the pants” is none of anyone’s business except the people involved. If anything, when a woman provides for her family, you should support her, not criticize her relationship.

Feminism has taken women a long way since the start of the 20th century, but there’s still a long way to go. We can’t all be CEO’s, presidents, or members of Parliament, but we all can change the way we speak. Let's all work to slowly make our world less sexist by eradicating these harmful phrases from your vocabulary. What other phrases do you think we should get rid of for good?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

B, I get where you're coming from but I think that's just life people are going to call each other names so it's more important that people stop getting so offended by words and try to change the double standard instead. And can you say that you are still even affected by any name that some mean girl called you when you were a teenager?

Yes because this one topic is my whole life lmao

Raqcity, I can say that the names those mean girls say has extremely affected my life. I dropped out of 3 different high schools because I got called names everyday, including slut, which I was virgin then, and hadnt even kissed anyone yet. Words can hurt a lot, and we should be teaching people not to say them, not that the victims should learn to be less offended by them.

@Cici what difference does it make? Do you honestly see a different person if she slept with one verus 100 men? Women in committed relationships average 3-7 times a week. So really, the person in the relationship is more of a "slut" then the person sleeping with strangers however many times. It's their body, its not your body. Just like how that lady down the streets haircut is not your business, what or rather who she puts in her vagina has nothing to do with you, nor the kind of person she is. As long as they are educated on sexually transmitted diseases, they know what they might catch, and that's their risk. Just like it's your risk whether or not to use the public toilet seat. You know you could get sick, but that's a risk you take. The women who have confidence to be sexually active even without a relationship, can be so much more independant and have higher self esteem anf self worth than those who stick to one person their whole lives. Of course when they're hurting themselves and being unsafe about it or doing it for others rather than themselves. But it's not right to call either of them a slut. Men do the same thing and don't suffer public ridicule.

@Misty exactly! I put up with bullying all throughout school and couldn't care less if anyone wanted to have a go at me now - don't have time and frankly, I couldn't care less!

And misty i don't condone bullying any one.. I don't think any one here would use that word for bullying theres other ways to use it

Do people still say these things?

this is a bit dramatic ...

Raqcity i agree... Yeah dont over use it but some people take the cake and do earn that title.. When over and over they make these mistakes and keep it no secret and keep putting themselves in other danger....

And that man touches your daughter. Or one of them. Your telling me your not going to judge him!? Is that it? And women that you just describe, we as women need to help them out. Because we dont make it our business they become f----- up and hate themselves. And @Alyx like I said to her. At the end of the dsy its still my body,my opinios,and my beliefs. Judging is the way of life and you or anyone elscan NOT stop that

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