Deconstructing the Slut: Contemporary Definitions of Female Sexuality Amongst Midwestern College Students

Historically, the word slut has been an insulting and abusive word used to constrain and control women\u27s sexuality. Yet within the current context of the hyper-sexualized, capitalist American society the stigma surrounding this term may have dissolved. This research sought to identify 1) whether slut still exists as a referential concept among co-eds at a mid-sized, Midwestern university, 2) the social circumstances in which this label is applied and 3) how gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, ability and other identities interact with this term. An exploratory examination using open and close-ended questions was conducted in two undergraduate classes. The data was collected from approximately 80 students in two classes: WOST 220 Coming of Age and a law enforcement class. The research shows that men are more likely to label a scantily-clad, heterosexual, extrovert woman who is known to have multiple sexual encounters without the presence of a monogamous relationship as a slut