Last Friday started out like any other day. I woke up and drove with my boyfriend to get coffee and on our way we saw a guy walking down the road, clearly still dressed from the night before with his sport coat draped over his shoulder. It was evident that this guy had been out the night before and probably got too intoxicated to return home. I laughed, looked at my boyfriend and said, "Oh the walk of shame, we've all been there." My boyfriend also laughed and replied, "Walk of shame? When it's a guy it's called the stride of pride." I was completely taken aback. What is that supposed to mean? When girls can't walk home or choose to stay over at someone's house, it's seen as shameful and funny. However, when guys do the same, it's something to be proud of?
This difference in judgement based on gender is appalling. We have been taught that women who stay out all night are slutty and should be ashamed, but guys who do this are awesome and should be celebrated. This perpetuation of gender based judgement on the same activity has to stop. It is the same judgement that is used when a person loses their virginity. Guys are celebrated as heroes while girls are judged as sluts and whores. This slut shaming has to stop and by using phrases like "walk of shame" we are perpetuating gendered language about sexuality. The solution seems simple, stop using language like this, but someone needs to start the trend. I nominate us.
Wow I never knew that's what it was called for guys! The walk of shame sounds dirty and trashy but the stride of pride sounds so valiant.You would expect a brave knight to stride with pride on his horse after saving a damsel in distress or something, not after sleeping with one. Plus, the male version rhymes!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard "stride of pride!" Well, that gives us something to replace "walk of shame." Thanks for nominating us, Kaitlyn. I'm going to use "stride of pride" from now on ;)
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