Deconstructing the Slut: Contemporary Definitions of Female Sexuality Amongst Midwestern College Students

Location

CSU 204

Start Date

21-4-2008 10:00 AM

End Date

21-4-2008 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Gender and Women's Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Cheryl Radeloff

Mentor's Department

Gender and Women's Studies

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Historically, the word "slut" has been an insulting and abusive word used to constrain and control women's sexuality. Yet within the current context of the hyper-sexualized, capitalist American society the stigma surrounding this term may have dissolved. This research sought to identify 1) whether "slut" still exists as a referential concept among co-eds at a mid-sized, Midwestern university, 2) the social circumstances in which this label is applied and 3) how gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, ability and other identities interact with this term. An exploratory examination using open and close-ended questions was conducted in two undergraduate classes. The data was collected from approximately 80 students in two classes: WOST 220 Coming of Age and a law enforcement class. The research shows that men are more likely to label a scantily-clad, heterosexual, extrovert woman who is known to have multiple sexual encounters without the presence of a monogamous relationship as a slut.

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Apr 21st, 10:00 AM Apr 21st, 12:00 PM

Deconstructing the Slut: Contemporary Definitions of Female Sexuality Amongst Midwestern College Students

CSU 204

Historically, the word "slut" has been an insulting and abusive word used to constrain and control women's sexuality. Yet within the current context of the hyper-sexualized, capitalist American society the stigma surrounding this term may have dissolved. This research sought to identify 1) whether "slut" still exists as a referential concept among co-eds at a mid-sized, Midwestern university, 2) the social circumstances in which this label is applied and 3) how gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, ability and other identities interact with this term. An exploratory examination using open and close-ended questions was conducted in two undergraduate classes. The data was collected from approximately 80 students in two classes: WOST 220 Coming of Age and a law enforcement class. The research shows that men are more likely to label a scantily-clad, heterosexual, extrovert woman who is known to have multiple sexual encounters without the presence of a monogamous relationship as a slut.

Recommended Citation

Huntington, Stacy. "Deconstructing the Slut: Contemporary Definitions of Female Sexuality Amongst Midwestern College Students." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-05/5