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Always remember: the words we use shape our world
 
Written by Qhakaza Mthembu | 08 November 11
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Name: Always remember: the words we use shape our world

Name of publication: City Press


Name of journalist: Qhakaza Mthembu

Date: 6 November 2011


Country: South Africa

Theme: Sex roles

Skills: Language, perspective

Genre: News

Gem classification: Gender aware

Description
Discussions around sexual propriety always make me cringe, and thanks to our dear sports minister and his recent sex scandal. I've been cringing quite a lot lately. The problem is not with people voicing opposing views, not at all: the issue is afar more fundamental. Listen to enough of these discussions and you could easily walk away with a rather warped sense of the world where women who enjoy sex and unashamedly lay claim to their own sexuality are sluts, while men who do the same are studs. A world where a woman in a revealing outfit is an attention seeking easy floozy while men in tight fitting sleeveless vests are hunks simply showing off how hours in the gym eventually pay off.

 

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Comments
 
 
Natalie Johnson says:
Wow. Just the introductory description of this article has blown my mind. I have not even read the article yet but I'm thinking about how my life has been shaped by the words of my mother and other significant others in my life. For example: it was emphasised to me that girls who enjoy sex and unashamedly lay claim to their own sexuality are sluts and this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable. Girls are supposed to only have sex with the man they marry and the first time should be on the wedding night. Any deviation from this is not acceptable and heaven forbid that anyone find out that you have "slept around" . . . wow! this article has really got me thinking about a lot of other aspects of my life too. Yes, the words we use does shape our world. Thank you for this wonderful article.
15 December 11
 
 
 
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