Hester Prynne'slut-Shamed Women In The 19th Century

On a daily basis, people shame others because they disapprove of life standards that are not their own. After years of being slut-shamed, thirteen year old girl Rachael Ehmke killed herself because she was slut-shamed, despite not having a sexual history. Labels evolve throughout time to fit the offender’s description; thus, words like “slut” can be used to describe anybody. Although the term “slut” has multiple definitions, it is mostly a sexist insult used by women to describe other women and. The term “slut” is a destructive label that intentionally humiliates the lives of many and must be eradicated for the benefit of females.

The term “slut” can be vastly interpreted. Ranging from a sexually promiscuous woman, a provocatively dressed female, or a rude gossiper, its definition suits the offender’s circumstance. When used jokingly towards friends and loved ones, the word “slut” is mostly interpreted
One’s culture has consistently profiled women throughout time. During the 19th century, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, depicts Hester Prynne as an adulteress and humiliated as punishment by wearing a scarlet letter. Long before social media, language against women’s sexuality has existed. Throughout time it became culturally acceptable to refer women as sexual slurs and afterwards shun and shame them. Because the only punished people were the victims, it created a society that bullies women into thinking they are less than those who claim they are. Consequently, a series of mental breakdowns ensure because of slut-shaming. These include depression, self-loathing, suicide, and long-term repercussions. A society’s language often persecutes a group of people. Specifically, the term “slut” shames women from acknowledging oneself and deliberately accuses them for being worthless than “normal”