Opinion

Female sexuality not shameful

By Amy Perez

I took my tongue piercing out after a week because at the time I was afraid of what people might think. I'll be honest, I was worried that everyone who saw the barbell in my mouth would assume that I participate in oral sex, and since I am female, assume I was a slut.

But now that I think about it, it was silly of me to take the piercing out. What I was really doing was trying to protect a facade of innocence every female, at some point in her life, is faced with protecting.

From a young age I was taught how to behave like a lady, cross my legs when wearing dresses and avoid wearing too much makeup, because open legs and lots of eye shadow somehow equate to something trashy and damaging -- something I would not want to be.

In high school, I refused to become sexually involved with anyone in order to avoid rumors and other negative treatment someone deemed a slut endures. In other words, I was just one in the assembly line of girls afraid to step outside the boundaries of what was supposedly normal.

Today, I'm tired of thinking about what others will think of me, what people will say or how I will be treated for exerting my sexuality. I'm sick of hearing females call other females sluts simply because they are sexually active and open about it. In fact, the word "slut" shouldn't even exist.

When people use this word to label females, they reinforce the idea that it's not OK for a female to want to have sex or participate in sexual acts, to feel sexual pleasure, to assert sexual needs and dress in such a way to provoke sexual arousal or attention.

Women have always had to remain pure whereas males have always been able to do as they wish sexually, and even be applauded for their actions by their peers and society. You wouldn't happen to know an insult or label for a male equivalent to "slut" would you? No, and "man-whore" does little justice.

Although it may not be easy to break away from the mindset society puts forth about female sexuality, it's completely possible. Just a few days ago I had my tongue pierced again -- one can only guess what I want to do with my new piercing.

Perez, an editorial writer for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu.