Since being in Soc 341 (and even before that) I've noticed the double standard that society has for using derogatory terms against women versus using derogatory terms towards men. From my observations in media, music, slang, dialogue between other people, etc. (especially in the last five years or so) women have been openly referred to as "bitches". Pardon my french on the blog, but it relates to the topic. It seems like what originated as a term of insult to the female sex has now become a common nickname in America. In music today (especially rap) women are often referred to as bitches, broads, hoes; and sadly that language has trickled down into everyday society and impressionable young men and women use it in their everyday vocabulary. There's a new song on the radio called "Sexy Bitch" by David Guetta ft. Akon. The lyrics are, and I quotee "She's nothing like a girl you've ever seen before, had to stop what I was doing so I could pul her close, I'm trying to find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful....Damn you a sexy bitch!" Are those the best words he could find to describe his attraction to her?! Does he really consider that to be respectful and are women expected to accept that? Another example, there is a new saying that people use with each other, often in a joking manner when tell friends not to do something stupid. They say "Don't be that guy" when talking to a guy, and when talking to a girl I've heard both guys and girls say "Don't be that bitch".,,why couldn't it be "Don't be that girl".
It left me thinking, have we become so desensitized to degrading names towards women to the point where we use them effortlessly? It also seems that in our society there are not common/everyday degrading terms used for a man. Of course there ARE terms of insult that you could use for a guy (i.e., tool, prick, douche bag, etc.) but you do not hear the use of those words being used to refer to a guy on a general bases. In fact, you rarely hear it, and when you do it is from someone who is angry with or making fun of that guy. But you won't hear it in music to refer to the general male sex, like you would a derogatory term for a female. I've also noticed that if you want to really REALLY offend a guy, what do you do?...you call him a Bitch! Which men hate because it is condescending and demasculinizing.
So what message is society really sending? Is it subliminal way to keep women "in their place"?
We can be powerful, we can be sexy, we can be intelligent, we can be independent but at the end of the day we're still bitches? It's got me thinking....
What do you think?