To think that it is always unacceptable to call a woman a 'slag'?

[electra]

I think it is hideous and reinforces the misogyny in our society.

Why do people do it?

i'll agree that it is a derogatory word. i don't necessarily think it's small minded to want to put that lable on somone whom you don't necessarily like who doesn't discriminate when sleeping with multiple partners.

i mean alternatively one could say that any derogatory word is unjustified or small minded.

Boo indeed Shirley boo indeed!

Pleasure doing business with you

But why would you want to put that label on someone custardo? Why should it matter to you how many people consenting adults have sex with? It isn't hurting you so why should you have the right to make a judgement about anyone who lives their life as they see fit?

You cannot deny that men who have x number of sexual partners are not regarded with the disdain that women are for the same thing. Why is that? And how is it that anyone should be the judge of what an acceptable number of partners is for anyone?

It's entirely different to dislike someone because, say, they enjoy stirring up trouble for other people or are generally unkind and hurt people. That's a different matter. But disliking someone and dehumanising them for their sexuality is a flawed, senseless and unpleasant concept.

Hear Hear Electra

oh but we do put lables on people. we all make judgements - some people voice them, others don't.

that men are not regarded with the same distain - i agree.

Yes we make judgements but that doesn't mean it's a decent way to behave or that we shouldn't stop and think about why we do and realise it's unreasonable. In this particular case the judgement is illogical when you consider it properly, and it reinforces misogyny which I object to.

i have already agreed that it is a derogatory term. i would say on the whole when one uses such a term it doesn't equate with 'decent' behaviour. so, its not a nice term, agreed - most derogatory terms simply umm aren't are they? that doesn't mean in some cases it's not apt.

you say 'in this particular case', have i missed a post with a particular case you are refering too? ( v. possible -skim reading)

I mean that in the case of calling a woman a 'slag' - I disagree that it's ever 'apt' to do so - because it is not a proper term and is based upon a whole way of thinking which is misogynist in origin.

There are other derogatory terms which may be applied to a person whose behaviour towards others is say, spiteful or causing deliberate harm. It's understandable that behaviour that hurts other people should evoke possible anger and unrest.

But it does not make sense to dislike someone for what they do in the privacy of their own time with consenting adults. It is not reasonable to dislike and despise someone for their sexuality

but say if someone ran off with your husband - i think its apt.

what I don't understand is why a woman that sleeps with X men is a slag, but a man who sleeps with X women is a stud / studmuffin / ladies' man / macho etc

There is a plethora of names with positive connotations for men who have multiple partners, but none for women.

If it ain't a derrogatory term, I'm the pope.

Exactly, Lewisfan.

Custardo - if someone runs off with your husband I feel it's understandable to be angry about that - which I explained earlier in the thread in response to another poster.

What I object to is when it's a judgement about another person's sex life (which is the context it's most often used in ime) - when the person judging isn't affected by it themselves and it's absolutely none of their business.

but i would be judging that other womans sex life with my (ex) husband - hence my view that its apt - sometimes. I do understand what you are saying also

I think that's understandable custardo - as I say my objection is when the judgement involves unattached consenting adults.