sluts and kids. . . not what you think
Let me start by apologizing for neglecting my blog. Papers and holidays unfortunately take precedence.
So today, after the blizzard of yesterday blew through this Midwest town, I was driving to school and I this pick-up truck passed me. Because there are a lot of farmers and pardon the term “rednecks,” I wasn’t surprised to see a large stickers slammed across the front of his windshield proudly proclaiming “Mud Sluts.” Although at first, I wasn’t too offended, I began to ponder this sticker. I know that we live in America and have freedom of speech and freedom of the press and that’s wonderful. [SPOILER ALERT: Here comes the "but."] But, think of the children. Think about the curiosity of a child. Think about being a parent to that child that begs the question, “What’s a slut?” What is your reply going to be?
I hate the way our society uses that language…granted, I don’t have the greatest vocabulary, but there’s a time and place for it IF it’s used at all. I don’t want to have to explain that to my kids…
Good post Jenneh, really makes me think about being more conscious about my choice of words.
Sarah, I’ve really been thinking about the “f” word ever since that gay/lesbian guy came to chapel. It’s a word that has a lot of angry/dirty/bad connotations associated with it. The more I look at society today, the more I realize the word is extremely over-used. I admit, that I have used it too often. But my biggest concern is that preschoolers are learning it.
Thanks for posting this Jenneh! I think that the movie “Mean Girls” made “slut” and “whore” way too popular among young girls to say, and by saying that about each other, it only makes it seem ok for others to call young girls or women those terms as well. I know that the movie itself didn’t make those terms popular, but it did add to the growing popularity and increase in the looseness of using the term.
I totally agree with you. I really hate it when women degrade themselves by calling each other sluts and whores. They already have to overcome these issues in media and pop culture. Society not only says its ok to be a called a slut or a whore, but it is highly encouraged.
This is something I didn’t even think about when I wrote this post, so thanks for the insight.
I seriously just had a convo with some friends about the way we talk! We we discussing how what we consider ok is not considered ok by our parents. One person pointed out how its difficult to know the line because you want to respect your parents’ wisdom, but at the same time, some words that were considered wrong when they were young have very different meaning now. So how do we discern. In the end it ultimately comes down to whether the Bible has any wisdom in it, culture, and just that–discernment given us from God if we are serving Him. Thanks for the post! =)
You bring up a very interesting point. It makes me think about the Bible verse (James 1:26). I’m using the New Living Translation because that is my favorite. “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” This verse really made me stop and think about what other people must think of me and therefore God, when I use foul language.
Also as a random side note that kind of builds off of your comment, I think that people who swear and use language constantly are really immature. I guess that just relates to the whole “wisdom” idea you were talking about.