Jorick said
Oh, okay, that makes sense. I wasn't sure if you were trying to say that was an advantage or disadvantage for women, or something else entirely. Turns out it was the something else category. I don't really have anything of value to add or respond with as far as this idea goes, so on to the next thing.
It's interesting stuff. I suggest picking up The Second Shift by Arlie Hochschild.
Jorick said We've gotten to the point where "gendered" slurs in the current generation are not actually tied to gender in any meaningful way. Ever hung out with some Australian dudes? They call each other cunts all the time. It's not quite so common in most other parts of the world, but it's gotten to the point where calling a guy a cunt is just a normal thing. Calling a woman a cunt no longer means "you are a women and therefore awful," it means the same thing as it does to men, which as I see it is basically one large step above calling someone an asshole but meaning the same kinds of things. Calling someone a dick has nothing to do with their penis or lack thereof, it's a lesser form of the meanings found in asshole.
I haven't hung out with a bunch of Australian dudes, lol. I've had it mentioned before, though. On the stuff about words evolving to mean different things, I can agree and understand that point of it. However, I will get to why I think it's still a damaging part of our society and psychology. Mainly because I feel the origin of a word still retains its power in more hidden ways that are embedded in our subconscious and other forms of our psychological make up. It creates a lot of confusion, which I find to be a problem.
Jorick said Side note: it's funny how so many of our insults are based on body parts, but hey, whatever works. Pussy and bitch have both taken on meanings that have nothing to do with gender, pussy being an insulting version of coward (and the term stems from words talking about cats, animals often viewed as cowardly, with the female genital use coming into prominence much later) and bitch being used to refer to someone whining and complaining, such as the meaning seen in "quit your bitching."
I can agree in a sense that pussy and bitch take on meanings that people don't intend to be insults relating to women. But, is it too much of a stretch to point out that most people today associate the word pussy with the female genital? On top of that, people are called a pussy when they are being perceived as a coward. The idea of being too much of a "girl" is attached to the statement whether it was intended or not. The same applies to the word bitch when it comes to the stereotype of women nagging and whining. Again, crying/whining like a "girl" or in this case, like a bitch. I'm suggesting it's a problem because while some people may not have the intention of insulting a guy because they're "acting like a girl", it's that they are doing it without knowing it. It's one messed up ride of confusion. And I don't like it.
I don't know if this is a good comparison, but… It's kind of like when a word like gay became synonymous stupid. People will say "We're not against homosexuals, but…" They will still say the word gay anyway. Looking at slurs through usage and psychology is a complex thing, and that's what I'm trying to do. I may never be able to weed out everything because it's a freaking mess to be honest. But I find the confusion, the exceptions, the distinctions, all of which eventually run into contradictions to be major problems.
Jorick said Slut and whore are the only ones that really have any grounds for being called gender-biased terms nowadays, but the fact that they're so easily used on men as well without seeming out of place shows that they're not truly directed to one gender alone, which is the one qualification I have for whether or not something is truly a "gendered" word or not.
They are easily used on men. But, when it happens it comes off as a joke or something to laugh at. At least when it happens amongst guys I know, and friends of mine when we have actually called each other sluts or whores. This is a personal example, so take it with a grain of salt. It doesn't reflect a whole. However, I'd still point out that there are clear negative connotations to the words slut and whore that sting when used toward a woman, that don't have the same effect when said to a man. Slut and whore stand out to me as specific words that are used to shame women for enjoying sex.
Jorick said See, my whole thing is that usage is what matters, not the supposed origin or supposed meanings of the terms. The fact that cunt started off as a slang term for vagina doesn't mean that using the term is a jab at women. The meanings of words change over time, so claiming their gender of origin makes them a "gendered slur" that is extra insulting for one gender is just stupid. Anyone who gets more offended by being called a bitch than they are about being called a dick is just a hyper-sensitive turd who needs to stop seeking sexism; when you look hard enough for something, you're gonna find it eventually.
Usage does matter. 100% agreed. But, the origins do matter in some sense. Or perhaps, a lot of senses. As you said, amongst Australian guys the word cunt does not necessarily mean to be a jab at women at all. But, I'd point out that the easy-going usage of words, and the remarkable ease in which we toss around words like, cunt, bitch, pussy, slut, whore, bitch, etc. to be a problem because eventually there will be confusion, and that normally means trouble.
Personally, I don't get insulted when I get called a dick. One, it's never really happened, especially by someone I don't know. Nor do I get insulted if I get called a bitch. I'm educated enough to know meanings behind insults and that if they were ever trying to compare me to a girl that I wouldn't be insulted. Cus, women are pretty awesome people. Jokes aside, with the high amounts of usage of bitch, pussy, slut, whore, etc. there will be issues. As said before, while there is not the intention, there is still a connection with where the term come forms that will resonate with someone's conscience.
It kind of sucks. Especially when we get to it that women say these things to each other too. It's a collective cultural problem where these words are tossed around and then women internalize these insults and begin to shame themselves and each other. See: Virgin/Whore dichotomy, plus things like issues people have with females being their boss.
I don't like these words, personally. Note: when it comes to consent behind closed doors, that's up to the couple
What I'm saying is that there are not many words that shame men or have the same "sting" and internalization effect that specific slurs have towards women.