We live in a culture of labels. Whether or not we like it we are all instantly judged on how we look, act, live, who we love, where we worship (or don’t), our jobs, where we live, how we parent, our health, and so on. You name it and someone has been judged because of it.
It’s really the way the world has always been. As far back as anyone can remember people have been judged.
Although, some would say the world is a harsher place with labeling than perhaps it has ever been.
The invention of social media has given people free rein to more or less do and say whatever they want.
Some people completely lose their manners and rules of etiquette and kindness are often thrown right out the window online.
However, this trend does not just exist online.
People say things behind one another’s backs – horrible, awful things that would probably devastate the individual if he/she heard them with their own ears.
Women in particular are subject to these kinds of comments. Like others, we are judged and labeled on everything we do or say.
We are given these labels by men, and sometimes even by our fellow woman.
Here are some labels we need to stop giving women:
1 – Bitchy
This one is used perhaps more than any other towards women.
We’re labeled a bitch for even the smallest of behaviors – stating our opinion, objecting to something we don’t agree with, not saying hello to someone, etc. It’s overused and unnecessary!
It should be okay for a woman to use her voice to express herself without fear of being labeled a bitch.
Assertiveness, confidence, and bluntness are all qualities that some women have that can get her labeled as a bitch.
When in reality, these are all great qualities to have.
Women should be able to be a little bit snarky or just need to vent a little without someone making a nasty remark about her behavior or persona.
2 – Needy
Women have a lot on their plates – men do too of course, but it is women that are often labeled as “needy.”
We’re moms, wives, daughters, sisters, employees, caregivers – you name it.
We wear many hats day in and day out. It can really take a toll on us.
So, when we reach out for a little help or support from those around us, we shouldn’t be called needy.
When we ask for some help or need a hug, we shouldn’t be deemed needy.
It is fine to ask for help – even for the smallest task or to ask someone you love to spend time with you.
Women are strong creatures, the strongest if you ask me, so if we reach out for help it is not us being “needy,” it is us asking for a little assistance with all that we take on.
3 – Slutty
As far back as you look in the history of man there has been a word for this label.
It’s a dirty, disgusting word and in the opinions of some perhaps the worst thing you can call a woman!
From medieval times when women had to guard their virtue to the 1950’s when a woman was expected to remain a virgin until marriage, women’s sexuality has always been a topic people have felt entitled to comment on.
Women get judged for what they do between the sheets far more than men do.
We need to stop this!
Women should be allowed to embrace their sexuality and enjoy one of life’s many great pleasures, responsibly and privately without fear of being viewed as a slut.
The term is often used loosely and without merit. It is a word that should be eradicated from spoken language!
4 – Naggy
Needy and naggy go hand in hand.
Most of the time women are first labeled needy, and then when their needs aren’t being met they start to complain because they aren’t receiving the help they need, they are then called naggy for reiterating that they need said help.
Some women are called a nag if they ask their husband to take out the trash more than once, if they ask a waiter for a refill on their drink, or sometimes at work for whatever reason. It’s not right and it’s not fair!
Women should be allowed to either be in positions of authority (which requires them to ask others to do things) or simply ask a family member to hold up their responsibilities without being deemed a nag.
In reality, women that take charge and make sure that tasks are completed and aren’t afraid to ask for what they want are strong in my opinion.
5 – Moody
Emotions. We’ve all got them.
We all handle them differently than each other.
Some of us feel them more than others. S
ome of us are more easygoing, and some of us aren’t.
Yet, when a woman is having a hard time handling hers she often gets labeled as “moody.”
If we are having an “off” day or it’s our time of the month, sometimes we aren’t the happiest of people to be around.
Then, in the next breath, we can be upbeat and optimistic.
None of it should matter as we are just trying to get through the day without judgment.
We need to be supportive of women when they are having a hard time, not tear them down by calling them names.
Nobody is perfect and we are all entitled to have “off” days or not always be in the best of moods. It doesn’t mean we are moody or emotional – we’re just human.
These are just some of the words that we need to stop using towards women.
These labels carry heavy weights of ill intent. They only hurt those that they are directed towards and serve no purpose.
When we change the way we label women we can change the dialogue for future generations.
We need to be more supportive and understanding of the everyday stress women are put under and try to be of assistance to take some of that burden off of them.
Labeling them does not help with that burden, it only adds to it.
