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.
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
