Sticks and stones: the impact of language on women

Someone once told me that “all women are either a bitch or a hoe.” I was perplexed by this statement, as I know neither a “bitch” nor a “hoe,” and I know plenty of people from the female gender.

If all females can be categorized into two derogatory groups, which group would your mom, sister, aunt, grandma, friend, or girlfriend, be in? If you are female, which category would you fit into?

From the time men are just boys, they are subjected to societal expectations that reinforce a “manly,” anti-feminist view of the world. Boys are often taught to be tough, not show emotion, and to view women and girls as the weaker sex. A girl is encouraged to cry, but a boy is told to suck it up and hold it in.

By differentiating between the emotional relevance of the genders, men are taught to view women as emotional creatures that are less worthy of respect in a man’s world. This continuous perpetuation of a male-dominant belief system teaches young men to disrespect women and eventually can lead to various forms of sexual assault and harrassment.

To undo this patriarchal construct, men need to be involved in the re-education of what it truly means to be a man in today’s world.

Terms that sexualize and degrade women are harmful, degrading, and discriminatory. If you hear someone referring to a girl or woman in such derogatory ways, speak up and let that person know that it isn’t ok. It is especially important for any man who witnesses or hears this type of behavior to speak up and set an example for other men and for the younger generation of boys to learn to not objectify women.

Gloria Steinem -feminist, journalist, and activist- said, “Men still have credibility with other men that women may not have, so men can make clear that unwelcome sexual attention is not okay. They can talk about it, they can name it when they see it.”

With the recent sexual harrassment and sexual assualt claims at Urbana High School, it is a critical time for all young men to understand what sexual harrassment and sexual assault is.

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest International Network), sexual harrassment is defined as sexually degrading comments to women or sexual requests, while sexual assault is coerced or forced sexual touching, like groping or unwanted fondling.

Sexual harrassment can also include calling a woman a Bitch or a Hoe – terms that are used to degrade and sexualize a female. These words are often considered acceptable among teen boys and are used frequently when talking to or referring to women. These words have consequences, and normalizing unhealthy behaviors such as these can be tied to violent crimes against women.

Now is the time to take a stand against these unhealthy behaviors and crimes against women. Women are humans – not a dog in heat or a tool to be used by a man – and when more men take a stand for women, the less unjust society’s view and treatment of women and girls will be.