Page 5 | Surely it’s time to stop using “Karen” as an insult

Headabovetheparapets · 2024-07-13T22:04:23+00:00

Is it just me who feels that this use of the name Karen to imply unreasonable/stroppy/mean/spiteful behaviour has become Bullying? And yes I am called Karen🤗 but whenever I see the name, along with Kevin, Sharon or Nigel used to describe ‘bad’ or ‘typical’ behaviour I feel rather sad. I don’t think I’m generally difficult, to be honest I’m too lazy🤣🤣 & a big fan of live & let live. So the frequent references to ‘ Karen’ being nasty/mean/horrible are hard to hear & each time I do that sadness grows & I step that little bit further away to protect me. so AIBU it’s just a joke get over it YANBU it is hard to constantly hear that your name means you’re mean Somewhat lighthearted but writing this out makes me realise it really does hurt.

Opine · 14/07/2024 00:25

@StSwithinsDay I am in a few minority groups. I really have far greater things to contend with.

@Catsmere Its a descriptor for a certain type of woman not any woman.

LemonTreeGrove · 14/07/2024 00:24

Opine · 13/07/2024 23:53

What if you are called Jane but aren’t plain? Or Dan and not desperate?
There was always going to be a name attached to this type of character and it happens to be Karen. If not Karen it would be something else. It’s not really about the name but the character and she, unfortunately, is very real and deserving of a slur.

No one calls men Desperate Dans. It's not used as a sexist slur.

HRTQueen · 14/07/2024 00:24

I can understand if you name is Karen why it’s upsetting

but otherwise not really why would it bother you I don’t know any woman that would be silenced by being called a Karen

not sure it’s racist either

LemonTreeGrove · 14/07/2024 00:22

I see it a lot in comments on Facebook. Any female who expresses any sort of opinion basically. It's fine for men to express opinions of course. I've seen little girls in videos being called "Future Karens." I've noticed that people who use it tend to be a bit dim, but it's annoying all the same.

Catsmere · 14/07/2024 00:21

Opine · 13/07/2024 23:53

What if you are called Jane but aren’t plain? Or Dan and not desperate?
There was always going to be a name attached to this type of character and it happens to be Karen. If not Karen it would be something else. It’s not really about the name but the character and she, unfortunately, is very real and deserving of a slur.

No woman should be called misogynistic slurs.

cupcaske123 · 14/07/2024 00:21

It's awful but doesn't seem so common anymore. It should definitely be called out. It's plain misogyny.

TowerStork · 14/07/2024 00:20

I haven't heard it used much in the past year so I think it's a phase that's coming to an end.

I don't have a problem with the original usage. It's a typical thing to take a name and make it representive of a type -hooray Henry and so on. And there is a type of woman it captured.

But the usage went way beyond the original idea to just pick on women who disagreed with things. I suspect a large part of the popularity, at least where I am, was women trying to distance themselves from the term (I'll not a Karen, she's a Karen)

NotTerfNorCis · 14/07/2024 00:20

It's so clearly a sexist insult now. Has been for years, to be honest.

QueenBitch666 · 14/07/2024 00:19

I call it out every single time. It's an appalling misogynist slur

StSwithinsDay · 14/07/2024 00:19

@Opine
What are you talking about??? Would you like your name appropriated in this way??

TotalDramarama24 · 14/07/2024 00:18

I hate it with a passion and will call out anyone I hear saying it. It seems to have died down a bit.

Kate Lawler says it all the time even though her own twin sister is called Karen. I replied on one of her posts to say it was offensive and her fans absolutely laid into me.

DinnaeFashYersel · 14/07/2024 00:16

I loathe it.

Karentoo · 14/07/2024 00:12

Opine · 14/07/2024 00:09

@Karentoo well she is a woman so why would it be a male name? Her counterpart is Kevin. David Brent embodied ‘that guy’ at work and so now we all know the type.
Karen is a type of woman. She’s not just a bit rude or racist. She’s a type.

There was a phone in on This Morning once with women named Karen calling in to complain about the use of the name. Clearly a set up & much to the enjoyment of the presenters. I don’t know why anyone fell for it.
If you want it to go away stop complianing about it and fanning the flames.

Kevin really isn't a thing or a type and is certainly not used in the same way as Karen. Why do you feel the need to justify this?

Werweisswohin · 14/07/2024 00:11

TheaBrandt · 14/07/2024 00:04

Agree with everyone else. It’s appalling. Hoping it’s moved on.

Actually pretty much every Karen I’ve met has been a really decent sort.

I do know a couple of unpleasant women who happen also to be called Karen, however I also know several unpleasant people with other names and a few nice ladies called Karen. 😄

yvcdrjb · 14/07/2024 00:11

Yes have always hated it. Irritatingly DP uses it and thinks he's a feminist 🤬

GeorgeOrwellsTurningGrave · 14/07/2024 00:10

I will judge people for using it and will call out their sexism and ageism. It won't be an unfamiliar phenomenon to Gen X, we're the same generation that were accused of being Essex Girls back in the day. Equally vile sexist BS.

Opine · 14/07/2024 00:09

@Karentoo well she is a woman so why would it be a male name? Her counterpart is Kevin. David Brent embodied ‘that guy’ at work and so now we all know the type.
Karen is a type of woman. She’s not just a bit rude or racist. She’s a type.

There was a phone in on This Morning once with women named Karen calling in to complain about the use of the name. Clearly a set up & much to the enjoyment of the presenters. I don’t know why anyone fell for it.
If you want it to go away stop complianing about it and fanning the flames.

TheaBrandt · 14/07/2024 00:04

Agree with everyone else. It’s appalling. Hoping it’s moved on.

Actually pretty much every Karen I’ve met has been a really decent sort.

PippyLongTits · 14/07/2024 00:03

In years gone by the threat of being called a witch was used to keep women in line. Now it is the threat of being called a Karen. "Oh, don't make a fuss, you're being a Karen. Sit down and shut up".

GoingRate · 14/07/2024 00:00

It’s totally played out now, anyway, so the people using it are misogynists AND out of date

Neverletgosince · 13/07/2024 23:59

WingingItSince1973 · 13/07/2024 23:19

I absolutely hate it. It's bullying, misogynistic and lazy. Plus all the poor ladies called Karen out there must be so fed up. I really judge people who use it.

Word for word this.

Karentoo · 13/07/2024 23:57

Opine · 13/07/2024 23:53

What if you are called Jane but aren’t plain? Or Dan and not desperate?
There was always going to be a name attached to this type of character and it happens to be Karen. If not Karen it would be something else. It’s not really about the name but the character and she, unfortunately, is very real and deserving of a slur.

Why? If someone is rude then call them rude, arrogant or whatever, if they are racist then call them a racist. You don't need a female name to describe it.
No one needs to use plain Jane or desperate Dan either, although I haven't heard either of those terms for at least a decade.

RenoDakota · 13/07/2024 23:56

Wolfiefan · 13/07/2024 23:09

Yep. It’s horrid and should be challenged.

My best friend is called Karen and I challenge it every time I see it.

LiterallyOnFire · 13/07/2024 23:56

WingingItSince1973 · 13/07/2024 23:19

I absolutely hate it. It's bullying, misogynistic and lazy. Plus all the poor ladies called Karen out there must be so fed up. I really judge people who use it.

Agree.

Karentoo · 13/07/2024 23:54

surreygirl1987 · 13/07/2024 23:50

WHAAAAAT?! Is this for real?!

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Unfortunately yes, I was given it as a present by a relative, I handed it them back (I'd had a few wines, I'm not normally stroppy!). But that resulted in them saying I was proving the point and behaving like a Karen 😥