The other day while I was wearing a white tank top I was reminded of the slang term for these types of tanks. They are often referred to as 'wifebeaters'. This horrible name never really bothered me or registered as wrong until I started looking at gender and communication in a new way. According to Wikipedia.com "The nickname wifebeater originates from its association with aggressive, underclass males, usually living in poor conditions, such as a dilapidated trailer especially as frequently depicted in television shows and movies. One such depiction is in A Streetcar Named Desire in which Marlon Brando famously portrayed a character who wore one and hit his wife."
What I would like to know is how did this phrase gain popularity with such an awful name - and why hasn't anyone done anything about it? Are there other slang terms out there that also degrade women/minorities that anyone can think of?
10 comments:
After having been in this class I have thought about this term some as well. I think that it isn't really thought about much because it is the "norm" that people that wear this type of shirt beat their wives. This basically becomes what we talked about in class where it is only brought up if is different from the norm. I don't think that people do anything about it because they don't feel that it is actually causing any harm when it really could be.
I agree with the above statement. I think “wife beater” has become a very common term. Perhaps, when people hear this term they don’t even process what they are really saying. It’s scary to think about how the term is so demeaning towards women and yet no one really says “hey that’s wrong!” I think it’s just another example of how once something becomes the “norm” it disappears from the radar.
I think it's sad that we've allowed for this term to become such a norm. Even myself has done so. Seeing guys in the rec with white tank tops, I automatically think "wifebeater." I guess I've never understood how the term stuck to a white tank top and why it continues to be heard when talking about the piece of clothing. I could personally see how this can form a kind of masculinity for men. Like mentioned previously, I usually see guys wearing "wifebeaters" while working out or working outside in the summer. This to me can define a sort of masculine characteristic by showing off their muscles. Do others see this in a similar light? For girls on the other hand who wear "wifebeaters" I find a more sexual display being presented. Girls, but not all, at times wear "wifebeaters" for white t-shirt contests, or for swim suit cover ups. It's a sexy piece of clothing for girls at different times. So how can something with such a degrading name offer such roles for females and males?
I think the term is tacky, distasteful, and most importantly talks about domestic violence in a somewhat light-hearted way. Not cool. I have never used the term and I will never use the term.
I don't think we can get rid of these terms. Once they are a part of popular culture, they stick around until they are eventually phased out with time.
I have always thought that the term was degrading. In my case my mother was a victim of abuse, from my father, so I think I am more sensitive to the term than some others. I do not use the term and I let others know that the term is offensive, I feel that if I keep repeating myself, those that use it around me will eventualy stop, or at least think about it when I say something. That's the best way I believe to get some people to stop doing or saying things that are offensive, peer pressure. If they don't respect my opinion, are they really worth my effort at friendship anyway??? I'd rather say soemthing than simmer in silence.
I always use this term when I am talking about that type of tank top too. I know it's bad and I often think about what it means or where the name comes from but i think everyone knows that isn't the context it's being used in. However, it's interesting to see that whenever there is a "white trash" party, everyone wears wifebeaters. I agree that it has also become something that women wear in certain situations as a sexy/skanky piece of clothing.
Other words that we have let become norms that don't apply to the context they are being used in would be "gay" "retarded." These are not being used in the specific context they mean.
I agree, i think that this term is awful, but to be honest i have used the term and never really thought about how demeaning and awful it really is. This example again proves how society and culture can, in a sense, brainwash people to be ok with words and actions that are not ok..they become the norm and we don't even think twice about them
I think the term probably gained popularity due to the humrous nature of the slob the phrase evokes. However I think it's another inappropriate phrase such a male nurse that has become ingrained in our language. If people really cosidered the term itself "wife-beater" i hope they would reevaluate the violent message they are condoning when they use this phrase.
I can't really think of any other terms buit I found it interesting that the term was coined after a movie. That is so wrong and who thought up this aweful term?
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