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Double Standards

In everyday lives, especially in high schools, girls are being attacked with harmful labels while guys are getting pats on the back. Typically, people are most likely to hear the words “slut” or “whore” while listening to someone describe a female who has had sexual relations with multiple guys. In a male’s case, you can most likely find the words “legend” or “the man” being thrown around after giving the news that he has had sex with a lot of girls. But, these labels can most likely be one-sided and opinionated, as well as a far-fetched assumption for both genders.

For most people, sex-based topics are to be kept personal, between the two people engaging in sexual activity. However when the word gets out, it becomes difficult to keep private. Whether it be the male or female to spread the word, once the news is delivered, the rumors begin. In modern times, teens who do not agree with a certain situation tend to bash it instead of trying to understand.

More often then not, females are harsher on other females when it comes to sexual intercourse in high school. Therefore, the words “slut” and “whore” come into play faster than a male would create that assumption. On the other hand, males might react to this with, “good for him.” This is a double standard.

Our society has been trained, at least in our culture, to treat women this way,” noted School Psychologist George Meyers. “I want to say it has gotten better, but we’ve got a long way to go. It definitely appears to be the case that men are praised, and women are shamed.”

According to everydayfeminism.com, the term “slut-shaming” is, “when you place guilt or subordination on women for their sexuality.” Slut-shaming usually occurs when women dress in provocative clothing, are perceived to be sleeping with a lot of men, or even having many friendships with males.

Dating back to nearly 8000 BCE, men have “owned” their wives. Any sexual activity was on the males’ terms, and if a woman was caught cheating, the male would likely get away with murdering her.

Even today, traditional weddings play a role in male ownership. You know the whole, father-walks-his-daughter-down-the-aisle thing? Well, that represents the transfer of property from the father to the spouse. The father is literally giving his daughter away. Also, the beautiful white dress women typically wear on their special day symbolizes “purity.” Meaning, if a woman has had sex before her wedding day, she shouldn’t be dressed in white. Because of this theory, virginity became one of the most valuable things in a woman.

Sexual virginity is linked to purity. Therefore, the more sex you have, the less pure you become. On the flip side, a man’s worth becomes greater once his virginity has been taken- at least in our society.

Virginity is a social construction that came about because of the commodification of women,” points out a column on everydayfeminism.com.

So, who can say that a woman’s worth is decreased by the amount of sex she has? It is time to break the social norm and face reality- women and men are equal regardless of virginity conception and the “ownership-era.”