Slut Walk
This Term Paper has been submitted by
Ms. Vishakha Gupta ID No: 212035
On Sociological Study of Slut Walk (Sociology-II) During the Winter 2013
Meera Kosambi starts her book ‘Crossing Thresholds’1 by stating that “the conventional and still popular notion of the ‘woman’s sphere’ carries with it the tenacious metaphor of the threshold, an image of restrictive, restricted, and dangerous periphery.” Whenever women strive to cross this threshold, men come up and try to suppress these women. This gave birth to the feminist movements. Feminist movements came up around 1960s. “Feminism is not just a movement for the liberation of women, but a broad social movement striving for the equality of each individual. Feminism emphasizes the importance of such values as co-operation, tolerance, nurturance, and the freedom for each person to achieve her or his potential.”2 Throughout history, women have rebelled against the pre- conceived notions of their inferiority through the feminist movements, trying to bring a change. However, “change is always viewed in conflict with tradition no matter how invented this concept itself might be.”3 Every transformation that women committed to has been antagonized by men. The cop in Toronto was simply following the custom when he said that “women should stop dressing like sluts” in order to avoid being raped. This paper discusses the campaign of ‘Slut Walk’ in the larger context of women movements. The first part elaborates on the concept of Slut Walk, whether or not it can be considered a social movement or not. The second part explains the course of the Slutwalk around the world, concentrating on India. The third part goes on to justify the need for this campaign, and its relevance in the larger context of feminist movements. The fourth part deals with the objections and oppositions which arose against Slut Walk. The fifth part discusses the legal reforms related to it. I Social movements are “organized efforts by a significant
Ms. Vishakha Gupta ID No: 212035
On Sociological Study of Slut Walk (Sociology-II) During the Winter 2013
Meera Kosambi starts her book ‘Crossing Thresholds’1 by stating that “the conventional and still popular notion of the ‘woman’s sphere’ carries with it the tenacious metaphor of the threshold, an image of restrictive, restricted, and dangerous periphery.” Whenever women strive to cross this threshold, men come up and try to suppress these women. This gave birth to the feminist movements. Feminist movements came up around 1960s. “Feminism is not just a movement for the liberation of women, but a broad social movement striving for the equality of each individual. Feminism emphasizes the importance of such values as co-operation, tolerance, nurturance, and the freedom for each person to achieve her or his potential.”2 Throughout history, women have rebelled against the pre- conceived notions of their inferiority through the feminist movements, trying to bring a change. However, “change is always viewed in conflict with tradition no matter how invented this concept itself might be.”3 Every transformation that women committed to has been antagonized by men. The cop in Toronto was simply following the custom when he said that “women should stop dressing like sluts” in order to avoid being raped. This paper discusses the campaign of ‘Slut Walk’ in the larger context of women movements. The first part elaborates on the concept of Slut Walk, whether or not it can be considered a social movement or not. The second part explains the course of the Slutwalk around the world, concentrating on India. The third part goes on to justify the need for this campaign, and its relevance in the larger context of feminist movements. The fourth part deals with the objections and oppositions which arose against Slut Walk. The fifth part discusses the legal reforms related to it. I Social movements are “organized efforts by a significant