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Had to read this for my sociology class and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very eye opening and interesting. It really delves into the topic of slut shaming and is very relevant to today's society.
This was a truly amazing book! Janenbaum conducted a sort of unofficial qualitative study comprised of interviews of fifty girls and women from various age groups. The stories these interviewees tell were emotionally difficult to read at times, but all of them carried an important message. Janenbaum did a superb job of analyzing the girls' and women's experiences in an easy-to-understand fashion. She also incorporated popular news stories dealing with the subject as well as her own personal experiences. This book was very eye-opening to some of the intense consequences of "slut-bashing". I think this is an important book to read for all people as it was just as informative for those of us who have experienced being called a slut and those of us who have not.
I also liked that Janenbaum did not completely ignore boys and men. While the focus was on girls slut-bashing other girls, Janenbaum does not exclude the fact that boys often have to endure being called "fags" if they don't fit in with their peers on some level. I think one of my favorite things about this book is that it is broken down into chapters dealing with various reasons a girl may be called a slut. Whether due to actually being sexual, being raped, or being an outsider, all of the reasons were equally important. Having endured some similar experiences in high school, it was relieving to realize that it was not my fault and the way people treated me had nothing to do with my actual actions. This message is crucial to all girls and women in a way that is expressed in the movie, Mean Girls.
The book is more relationship-oriented, which I feel reflects the author's own bias, and I wish she had been more open to various forms of sexual expression, but overall I do not feel that it is a big enough part of the text to detract from the rest of the book. Overall, this was a wonderful book and I think everyone should read it.
I also liked that Janenbaum did not completely ignore boys and men. While the focus was on girls slut-bashing other girls, Janenbaum does not exclude the fact that boys often have to endure being called "fags" if they don't fit in with their peers on some level. I think one of my favorite things about this book is that it is broken down into chapters dealing with various reasons a girl may be called a slut. Whether due to actually being sexual, being raped, or being an outsider, all of the reasons were equally important. Having endured some similar experiences in high school, it was relieving to realize that it was not my fault and the way people treated me had nothing to do with my actual actions. This message is crucial to all girls and women in a way that is expressed in the movie, Mean Girls.
The book is more relationship-oriented, which I feel reflects the author's own bias, and I wish she had been more open to various forms of sexual expression, but overall I do not feel that it is a big enough part of the text to detract from the rest of the book. Overall, this was a wonderful book and I think everyone should read it.
informative
medium-paced
2.5 This book still has worth as a historical text. The stories shared depict a specific time and place, as well as context for the larger cultural movements of the eras. The section on the 1950s was especially illuminating. Tanenbaum was really a pioneer in gender equality, her assertion that teen girls have a role in sexual development and experimentation is something we have yet to recon with.
However, all the essays seemed to present a narrative that ‘sluts’ would eventually find their way. That they were just precious youngsters, who developed early and were treated badly. It felt a little contrived and as if any stories from women who were traumatized by the abuse they suffered were intentionally left out because it didn’t fit the narrative of a ‘slut’ who used the experience to access success.
However, all the essays seemed to present a narrative that ‘sluts’ would eventually find their way. That they were just precious youngsters, who developed early and were treated badly. It felt a little contrived and as if any stories from women who were traumatized by the abuse they suffered were intentionally left out because it didn’t fit the narrative of a ‘slut’ who used the experience to access success.
Intended to be an exposee into the underbelly of young adult women, Slut purports to examine the power dynamic between young women and men that leads them to label others, deserving or undeserving, of the name "slut". The author had so many amazing opportunities to really delve into the psychology behind the label of "slut" as attached to a teenage girl. Instead, she produced a regurgitation of The Body Project and Reviving Ophelia for Cosmo magazine.
Many times, in arguing for more equality between men and women, the author advocates women being more promiscuous. This bothered me. You all know, by now, that I have no problem with sex. But advocating that having multiple partners (and thus opening up yourself to disease and unplanned pregnancy) is a way of leveling the gender field as ridiculous. Responsibility is never mentioned in the context of having sex.
The question is asked outright: "How do you contest being labeled a 'slut' without criticizing what it means to be a 'slut'" (p212). That's a great question, but unfortunately the author doesn't seem to have an answer except for women to have more sex.
Again, I don't want to seem like I'm being a prude, but I'm not sure that more sex is the answer. What about parenting and the responsibility of raising good men who value women as an equal partner? What about empowering a women to make her own healthy sexual choices?
The only statement I outright agreed with was that while some girls may label others as "slut" they still need to be held accountable for their actions. As the author states "they may be victims themselves, but that should not give them license to victimize others" (p201). Great point, but nowhere does the author then give any idea how to achieve this.
If this a topic that interests you, skip Slut and read The Body Project, Slaying the Mermaid and Reviving Ophelia. They do a better job examining power dynamics in male and female relationships, and offering healthier solutions to fostering empowered women and men.
Many times, in arguing for more equality between men and women, the author advocates women being more promiscuous. This bothered me. You all know, by now, that I have no problem with sex. But advocating that having multiple partners (and thus opening up yourself to disease and unplanned pregnancy) is a way of leveling the gender field as ridiculous. Responsibility is never mentioned in the context of having sex.
The question is asked outright: "How do you contest being labeled a 'slut' without criticizing what it means to be a 'slut'" (p212). That's a great question, but unfortunately the author doesn't seem to have an answer except for women to have more sex.
Again, I don't want to seem like I'm being a prude, but I'm not sure that more sex is the answer. What about parenting and the responsibility of raising good men who value women as an equal partner? What about empowering a women to make her own healthy sexual choices?
The only statement I outright agreed with was that while some girls may label others as "slut" they still need to be held accountable for their actions. As the author states "they may be victims themselves, but that should not give them license to victimize others" (p201). Great point, but nowhere does the author then give any idea how to achieve this.
If this a topic that interests you, skip Slut and read The Body Project, Slaying the Mermaid and Reviving Ophelia. They do a better job examining power dynamics in male and female relationships, and offering healthier solutions to fostering empowered women and men.
This book was written very well with accounts from high school "sluts" and commentary from a women's studies intellectual. Great read!
A really interesting book on why girls are called sluts, what that even means, and how it is harmful to them. When a girl/woman is called "bad", it pretty much always is a comment on her sexual life, whether or not it is true. A very provocative quick read, from start to finish about 3 hours. I would highly recommend this to any female for sure, and any male who wants to understand the societal pressures put on girls to maintain a pure image (hopefully any male who has any type of relationship with girls-father, brother, boyfriend, etc)
It's taken me a bit to read this. To be fair, it's a bit dry and I picked it up and put it down multiple times so I still have mixed feelings about it.
When I began the book, I remember feeling gung-ho to read about the moniker, "slut", and its implications. The book actually had me for a bit with me contributing an understanding nod as I read through the chapters.
But then I noticed something near the middle to end of the book: it mainly revolved around women's tales in school and (in my opinion) barely scratched the surface of what happens beyond the walls of education. It was also a little exhausting to read the same features in each chapter: went to school, my body looked a bit different/I acted differently, girls/boys called me a slut, I participated in dangerous behavior, it was shitty, I'm an adult now - lather, rinse, repeat. I feel like the book could've benefitted from having perspectives more so in the college and workplace area (I'm not talking big companies, I'm talking first jobs in/out of college).
I was especially annoyed at the author's commentary near the end of the book with what seemed to be a condescending tone for girls who took action against their schools for harassment and were awarded money (literally with "Well, I didn't sue..."). That's great, but these women dealt with harassment and got shit done. So what if they were awarded money for it. The lines between dangerous sexist behavior and sexual harassment blur so quick, who are you to judge if it's your definition of sexual harassment? If you didn't feel in danger/hurt then great, Leora - but not every woman feels the same way.
When I began the book, I remember feeling gung-ho to read about the moniker, "slut", and its implications. The book actually had me for a bit with me contributing an understanding nod as I read through the chapters.
But then I noticed something near the middle to end of the book: it mainly revolved around women's tales in school and (in my opinion) barely scratched the surface of what happens beyond the walls of education. It was also a little exhausting to read the same features in each chapter: went to school, my body looked a bit different/I acted differently, girls/boys called me a slut, I participated in dangerous behavior, it was shitty, I'm an adult now - lather, rinse, repeat. I feel like the book could've benefitted from having perspectives more so in the college and workplace area (I'm not talking big companies, I'm talking first jobs in/out of college).
I was especially annoyed at the author's commentary near the end of the book with what seemed to be a condescending tone for girls who took action against their schools for harassment and were awarded money (literally with "Well, I didn't sue..."). That's great, but these women dealt with harassment and got shit done. So what if they were awarded money for it. The lines between dangerous sexist behavior and sexual harassment blur so quick, who are you to judge if it's your definition of sexual harassment? If you didn't feel in danger/hurt then great, Leora - but not every woman feels the same way.