Imagine this scenario – two girls are sitting next to each other, and one turns to the other and says, “You’re such a slut.”

It seems like an innocuous action that has become a part of everyday life. Few barely even think about the implication of some of the words they use.

As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word slut means “a promiscuous woman” or “a saucy girl.” In a more contemporary understanding, one of the definitions of the word slut on Urban Dictionary is “Someone who provides a very needed service for the community and sleeps with everyone, even the guy that has no shot at getting laid and everyone knows it… Without them sex crimes would definitely increase.”

While many will claim that the word “slut” can be used to define either sex, these definitions suggest otherwise. The notion of a slut seems to apply only to women, and is derogatorily used to suggest that women are only useful for their “sex appeal” and that when their sex appeal is overused, then it is something they should be ashamed of.

Many will call this the double standard – men can sleep with whomever they want and be proclaimed heroes, but if a woman is not chaste until marriage then she is a slut.

For the record, I’m not suggesting that the male sex is entirely to blame for this reality. Women propagate this dynamic as well by continuing to use the word and being ashamed of their sexuality.

Many women and young girls are hoping for this tide to shift elsewhere, and this is especially notable in the Slutwalks that originated in 2011.

Slutwalk began in Toronto in April 2011 where protestors of all ages are sending the message that a woman does not deserve to be raped or called a slut simply because of the clothes she is wearing.

If a woman is wearing promiscuous clothing, it does not mean that she is “asking for it” as many people, both men and women, seem to suggest.

While the protest was originally centered on women wearing ordinary clothing, many show up to the demonstrations in provocative outfits. By doing so, they hope to empower their sexuality and put forth the message that the sexualization of women must be deterred.

Slutwalk has come under fire by some skeptics who believe that by the protestors dressing like sluts, they are simply condoning the implications of the word slut instead of embracing their sexuality.

Regardless, there is a very real need for our society and culture to step away from terms such as slut, skank and whore which all hold female-based connotations. They degrade the female sexuality and are used in a frivolous manner by many so as to make it seem acceptable.

While many may think it is OK to call a female friend a slut or a whore, I find it to be offensive, and I hope many others will begin to find it offensive as well and speak out.

Women should embrace their sexuality, and not have to feel like they are inferior or wrong for doing so.

To contact The Ionian’s Heather Nannery, e-mail her at [email protected]