Author: dublin517

Rebuttal Rewrite-Dublin517

Slut Shaming through the Internet

Using the internet, unfortunately, comes with certain levels of harassment, and women tend to experience a specific type of harassment. Slut-shaming, targets women specifically, it typically insults their physical appearance, sexuality, and sexual conduct. Through the ease of user-friendly websites, sex-centric-insults can be hurled at whim by the “trolls” that get pleasure from tearing down a women’s self-esteem. It’s argued that due to the over-abundance of slut shaming occurring through social media, women would be scared to be free and sexual. However, women are now more than ever overcoming slut shaming and taking control of their bodies. In fact through the connectivity of social media and the internet women have come together to overcome and destroy slut shaming, and liberate themselves sexually.

Women do not get to experience the same sexual freedoms that men do. That is the entire pretext for slut-shaming, as Leora Tanenbaum of the Huffington Post puts it, “Slut-shaming is sexist because only girls and women are called to task for their sexuality, whether real or imagined; boys and men are congratulated for the exact same behavior. This is the essence of the sexual double standard: Boys will be boys, and girls will be sluts.” Slut shaming occurs though Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and even Snapchat. Using lewd names, posting inappropriate pictures, and making inferences based on the grounds of a woman’s sexual nature are all examples of slut-shaming. With all of these activities running rampant on the internet, women face a lot of scrutiny and a cute Instagram post with friends on the beach turns into a witch hunt over sexual misconduct.

The argument here is not that slut shaming has been eradicated through social media, in fact it is quite the opposite. The congregation of women (and men) tired of seeing post after post filled with condemning ideals has caused people to actively use social media to put a stop to slut shaming. These groups of individuals have been able to use the connectivity that comes with the internet to be able to constitute a clear and united voice with many goals. To spread acceptance, encourage people to become comfortable with themselves, and stop slut shaming, among other things. The website, Stopslut.org, is aimed at not only stopping slut shaming but also rape culture as a whole “Using a revolutionary play, a book and storytelling-based activism workshops, StopSlut aims to transform rape culture into a culture of CARE– communication, accountability, respect and empathy”. Through this website that is only aimed against slut shimg, women can connect and bond and therefore combat issues they face in their lives.

While the internet can come together and tear up a famous woman for her “slutty outfit” at an awards show, it can also see comments that disapprove of the hate speech. Slut shaming is not a new concept, shunning women for being sexual has been commonplace for centuries. Lewis Mark Webb sums it up best when he says (in reference to comparing slut shaming historically to modern day)  “the Roman Republic with recent cases on the Internet, and I maintain that the focus of this slut-shaming, namely sexual virtue, has remained the same over time, but that the unregulated nature of the Internet has increased its scope and impact.” The magnitude seen through the internet is rather unique; people are not afraid to say inappropriate things online because there are no consequences for it.  That is, until now. People are getting tired of hearing misogynistic and dated thoughts one after the other and the convenience of anonymity has also given them the ability to type right back. The internet has started to change from a place where slut shaming can bloom, into a battlefield where intellectual logic is used to combat the backwards rhetoric that has overstayed its welcome.

Works Cited

 

Menza, Kaitlin. “Teen Girls Take a Stand Against Slut Shaming: What It Is, and Why You Should Care – StopSlut.” StopSlut Teen Girls Take a Stand Against Slut Shaming What It Is and Why You Should Care Comments. N.p., 02 June 2015. Web.

 Tanenbaum, Leora. “The Truth About Slut-Shaming.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 15 Apr. 2015. Web.           

Webb, Lewis Mark. “Shame Transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to Cyberspace | Webb | First Monday.” Shame Transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to Cyberspace | Webb | First Monday. N.p., 6 Apr. 2015. Web.

Research Position Paper-Dublin517

Using the Internet to Aid in Female Liberation

              Women experience a wide variety of forms of oppression, whether it be the wage-gap or the glass ceiling, there are many forces working against a woman’s complete freedom. One of these restrictions of a woman’s capability to make her own decisions comes in the form of sexual repression. Sexual desires are common in both sexes, but only acceptable for one, men. Men are able to be sexually promiscuous without fear of being cast out socially for their “scandalous” behavior, women do not enjoy this freedom. Men and women can both be sexually repressed from their true desires, but most women cannot even partake in a casual sexual relationship without facing scrutiny. A first step to sexual liberation, would be the acceptance of alternatives to monogamy.The internet is an amazing resource, it brings people together from all walks of life. Women can access the internet and see an array of opportunity other than the socially accepted norm.  That means that partaking in blogs, Reddit forums, Facebook posts, putting pictures on Instagram, all have a consequence; they open up society’s eyes to different types of lifestyles. In addition, the existence of well informed and credible websites can provide answers for men and women thinking about sex, sexuality, and relationships. The use of the internet (including social media and dating apps) helps to  inform on sex and sexuality and thereby lead to the destruction of female oppression through education and acceptance .

       Women are typically made to feel ashamed about having sex, while men are championed for their incredible virility. Speculations about the origins of these feelings of shame and guilt range from the cultural family dynamic to the very evolution of human beings. One theory dictates that the way society evolved in its early phases is a leading factor in the existence of the patriarchy. For instance, Sam Richards and Paul Saba attribute man’s transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural communities as the roots to female oppression (and as an extension, sexual oppression). Explaining that as women stayed within the villages to tend to the children, because at this time the only way to feed them was through breast-milk, the men were able to assume the role as an overall provider. Slowly, villages began to depend on the men for skills that women were unable to harness because their free-time was occupied with raising a family. According to Laurel Limpus’s piece, “Liberation of Women: Sexual Repression and the Family,” the success of the patriarchy is attributed to the fact that men are able to go out and create their own worlds; acquiring wives and giving them children. Women do not acquire their own world, they get acquired by men and raise children. Limpus directly states,”Within the present social context, however, it is still true that men are trained to go out, work, shape their own lives; and that women are not, and that thus, even within the context of their alienating nature of work, they have often more opportunities to satisfy their needs for creativity than do women.” It is this fact that leads to the sexual oppression of women: men are able to satisfy their needs for creativity and women cannot.

Oppression does not only exist within the realms of a household, it is ever reaching in all aspects of life and society. Nothing is as far reaching and expansive as the internet, a sea of web pages and commentary about anything and everything. One of those topics being the sexual prowess of women. There is a multitude of resources available to internet users, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit are just a few of the most prevalent. Through these sources women can have honest discussions and formulate a collective voice in a way never seen before. Caroline Haythornthwaite sums up the connectivity of the internet when she says, “The Internet is a technical means of connecting people. It provides an easy way for individuals as well as groups and organizations to adopt peer-to-peer communication.” The oppression of women can persist on the internet, however, discussions of sex, sexual expression, and sexual freedom are also coming into the arena. These discussions are the positive results of the connectivity of the internet and continue to be grow. Websites like positivesexuality.org, (which belongs to the Center for Positive Sexuality), are a prime example of the opportunities for positive sex talk that the internet provides.

With all of this talk about connectivity and discussion, one is reminded of dating apps. Something designed specifically to bring people looking for romantic partnerships closer together. There is a positive relationship between dating app popularity and female sexual liberation, more of one means more of the other. Through the use of dating apps, women can find sexual partners that are not socially or romantically demanding. Dating apps are not to be confused with dating websites (i.e. Tinder vs. eHarmony), dating websites have been widely used for years now, they do not have the same effect. Dating websites perpetuate monogamy, and the construct that a woman cannot have sex and be single and somehow be happy. Pantea Farvid and Virginia Baum’s view on monogamy and happiness includes ” The prominence placed on life-long heterosexual unions (and romantic love) is socially and culturally produced but ‘naturalised’ within the institution of heterosexuality (Rich, 1980) and heavily tied to notions of ‘happiness’. ” Farvid and Baum argue that monogamy and long term committed relationships are the goal for most members of heterosexual society. This argument is further cemented within a journal entry called “‘Good Girls’: Gender, Social Class, and Slut Discourse on Campus” provided by the American Sociological Society, which states “Although young men are expected to desire and pursue sex regardless of relational and emotional context, young women are permitted sexual activity only when in committed relationships and ‘‘in love’’ (Crawford and Popp 2003; Hamilton and Armstrong 2009; Schalet 2011; Bell 2013)”  One way to combat this restrictive ideal, is to normalize other behaviors. This is done through practice, taking casual sex out of the obscure and showing that it is something even the average woman might want is one way to do that. Hookup apps such as Tinder make acquiring a casual sex partner very easy, and the convenience of it is very enticing for its users. Also, the pop culture support of the app is encouraging for women considering a casual sexual relationship.

It is the silence about sex and sexual freedoms that allows for things like female oppression, and by extension, slut-shaming to continue.These are limiting factors in a woman’s social arena that would prevent her from making independent choices revolving around their sexual conduct. Slut shaming is harassment that targets a woman’s sexual practices and even appearance, it is an offshoot of sexual oppression because it limits a woman’s capability to be free in her sexual decision making. Once again in reference to “”Good Girls”: Gender, Social Class, and Slut Discourse on Campus”, it is mentioned that slut-shaming is the fallout to stepping out of the accepted norm for sexual behavior among women (as in, anything other than a committed romantic partnership.) The threat of being slut-shamed hangs over every decision a woman will make, because it can not only affect their social lives but also their professional-good-name. Women will continue to partake in monogamous relationships and not dare to partake in any alternatives; no matter if they are better suited for the individual or not. Laurel Limpus states

Many young girls, who feel only revulsion when they think they should feel ecstasy, react with immense relief when they are told that this is a quite common experience. Since of course this is not the kind of problem one ordinarily talks about, they did not know that anyone else had been through this, and they had thought that they were monsters.

Which basically solidifies the idea that women and girls are taught to be very coy about sex, and when they learn that they can actually be outward sexual people, it comes as a surprise and a relief. Limpus also touches on the fact that it is not “the kind of problem one ordinarily talks about,” the internet is there to make this, the kind of problem that is  normally talked about. Online forums can offer confidential or anonymous opportunities to have these frank discussions that otherwise would not occur, and girls do not have to suffer alone anymore. Through internet posts that show normalized alternatives to monogamy, women can discuss and interpret their options and choose to be involved in the type of relationships they really want, not just what is accepted presently (monogamy).

As stated previously, the internet is an outlet for conversations about sex and sexuality. That means more than just users talking about sex, it might mean educating about sex. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 20  states within the U.S. require sex-education to be factually accurate, and only 24 states and the District of Columbia require public schools to teach sex-education at all. Even within these public school sex-education classes lessons cover “safe-sex” to prevent pregnancy and the acquisition of STDs, and not much else. While these topics are important to teach to high school students, there are other aspects of sex that can be taught to high-schoolers. Lessons surrounding sex positivity, sex and gender identity, qualifications for consensual sex, and much more, can be very beneficial for young adults that are beginning to explore the sexual realm. Thankfully, the internet is there to pick up where the board of education leaves off. There is a disclaimer, not everything found on the internet is true; but finding credible sources to give factual answers is not difficult, and there is nothing wrong with looking for suggestions and advice from online forums. Ignorance to sex and sex positivity is a causal factor in the sexual oppression of women. The internet helps to educate users on more complex levels of sex and sexuality, and this helps to further the sexual liberation of women. An article written by Point of View India covers the idea of using the internet as an outlet for getting advice, “One woman interviewed for a research study undertaken by EROTICS India says, ‘There is no support system (in cities) that women have, and they are often all alone, without advice, and wanting some validation that what they are doing [raising children] is okay or that their experience is shared by others also.’” The women discussed in this article use the internet as a sort of community to discuss and share advice that they would otherwise not have access to.

Social media and the internet is full of monogamy; internet shows, advertisements, and other media sources all mostly still portray monogamy as the norm.This is because monogamy is the default relationship for many people, and it can be very satisfying emotionally, sexually, and romantically. This is all true, but the growing presence of alternative modes of sexual expression carry a lot of impact despite their small percentage.  Their media presence is integral in society’s interpretation of women and even in women’s interpretation of women and their sexual behavior. Consider a woman who never enjoyed the confines of being in a committed relationship. She might be reading an open letter published online written by a successful business woman, who has a good relationship with her family, is happy and stable, but lo and behold; she is single. Not only is she single, she is not ashamed to discuss her preference for casual relationships with romantic partners as opposed to a committed one. She can focus on work, or her  friends, or literally anything she wants. The woman reading this open letter at home is inspired to live the life she wants, after all she can still be happy and successful if she does. This type of representation is becoming more and more common through the internet, and has an immense effect upon society.

Previously, as in, before the internet existed, media sources included television, cinema, radio and newspapers. The Hays Code (Motion Picture Production Code) limited the amount of sexual content for movies, and Brian McNair points out one if its regulations within his lecture on Sex and the Cinema “Pictures shall not infer that low forms of sex relationship are the accepted or common thing.” This component of the Hays Code goes directly against all progress of modern day internet discussion and inclusion. However, the sexual liberation of the 1960’s forced the code to be abolished in 1966. Tv and radio were  not far off on their restrictions of sexual content.Michael O’Malley of George Mason University describes how the Federal Communications Commission or FCC was in charge of making sure that productions were kept modest and decent. Now in the age of the internet, boundaries over censorship and “appropriateness” for tv, movies, and radio, continue to be pushed. The internet, is unique, its vast expanses make it virtually impossible to censor completely. In countries with freedom of speech and press, the internet cannot be censored by a government entity, or any entity for that matter. Websites can be moderated for appropriateness, but that is the extent of censorship within the bounds of the internet. Controlling content that is published on the internet is very hard, anyone can set up a website and start posting. Celebrity nude photo leakages, website hacking, the Hillary-Clinton-Email-Scandal, are all examples of the instability of the internet and its defense against censorship.

Clearly, the effects of society’s constructs upon the sexual preferences of women is heavy enough to create the dependence we see upon monogamy. Fear of being slut-shamed and a desire for acceptance fuels the fire of sexual repression among women. That being said, the existence of the internet is helping to lessen the effects, and even change society’s ideals surrounding female sexual behaviors (and by extension sexual preferences in general.) Being sex positive means that one agrees that all enjoyable, consensual sex, is inherently a positive thing, regardless of kink or fetish. As long as the partaking individuals are participating out of their own free-will, then there should be no shame purported onto the sexual act. Taking steps to normalize casual sex in women will no doubt have a direct affect upon sex positivity. If women can be accepted for their desires to be involved in a no strings attached sexual relationship, then that is one more activity that will be spared from shame, which will lead to the growth of sex positive movements.

Sexual relationships have been the victims of guilt, shame, and also innate curiosity for centuries. Yet, the internet was not present throughout this entire time period. The internet is a relatively new invention, and its wide-spread use is an even newer phenomena. The growth of the popularity and access to computers or other internet accessing devices should not be ignored when it comes to this discussion surrounding sexual acceptance. According to the Pew Research center, American internet usage has gone up to 84% in 2015, compared to 68% ten years prior and at 54% in the year 2000. The World Bank estimates that there is an approximate 36% increase globally of internet usage from 1990 to 2015. All of these juicy statistics mean one thing for this discussion, more people are able to use the internet. With more internet traffic that means more people are asking questions, giving advice, and learning a thing or two about, yes, the sex. Areas that had little to offer along the lines of sex education or conversations about feminism and progressive movements, now have online forums to fill the void. Better yet, the growth of internet accessibility is not over, the technological innovation is sprawling all over the globe.

All in all, it is clear that the internet is a persuasive tool in the connection of the people of Earth, also, as human beings if there is one thing we are curious about, it is sex. Put the two together and one has an unstoppable force, capable of many powerful things. It is not all rose-tinted sex positive forums for confused teenage girls or worried house-wives though, there is still harassment and intimidation occurring on the internet. All that aside, the increasing ranks of sex positive internet users is helping to tear down these dangerous habits of internet users. The increasing amounts of sexually-versed individuals as a result of the educational services provided by the internet, results in abolishing female sexual repression because of higher levels of acceptance. People cannot change unless they are taught that current ideals are harmful and limiting others, in this case, it is women. To some, inferring that there is something wrong with a woman because she is in her early forties, and still serial dating, seems like commonplace. The fact is, there is nothing wrong with a woman who cannot or will not nail a man for good, she is living her life and trying her best to be happy and successful. Worrying about the opinions of the neighbors can become quite tiresome and the pioneer women that step out and are not afraid to publicize their lifestyles through the internet are encouraging other women who feel the constraint of oppression over their social lives, to do the same.

Works Cited

“ABOUT US.” Center for Positive Sexuality. N.p., n.d. Web.

Armstrong, Elizabeth A., Laura T. Hamilton, ELizabeth M. Armstrong, and J. Lotus Seeley. “‘‘Good Girls’’: Gender, Social Class, and Slut Discourse on Campus.” Sage Journals. American Sociological Association, 2014. Web.

Farvid, Pantea, and Virginia Baum. “Casual Sex as ‘not a Natural Act’ and Other Regimes of Truth about Heterosexuality.” Sage Journals. Feminism & Psychology. N.p., 18 Apr. 2013. Web.

Haythornthwaite, Caroline. “Social Networks and Internet Connectivity Effects.” N.p., June 2005. Web.

“Internet Users (per 100 People).” The World Bank. N.p., n.d. Web.

Limpus, Laurel. “Liberation of Women: Sexual Repression and the Family.” Laurel Limpus-Liberation of Women. N.p., Aug. 2002. Web.

McNair, Brian. “Sex and the Cinema.” University of Strathclyde. Lecture.

O’Malley, Michael. “” Exploring U.S. History | Regulating Television.” History 120. N.p., Apr. 2004. Web.

Perrin, Andrew, and Maeve Duggan. “Americans’ Internet Access:2000-2015.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. N.p., 26 June 2015. Web.

POV India. “”Women, Sexuality and the Internet.” .” Point of View, 26 Mar. 2013. Web.

Richards, Sam, and Paul Saba. “Basis of Women’s Oppression.” Basis of Women’s Oppression. N.p., 1990. Web.

“”State Policies on Sex Education in Schools.”” National Conference of State Legislatures. N.p., 16 Feb. 2016. Web.

Bibliography-Dublin517

  1. Bilton, Nick. “Tinder, the Fast-Growing Dating App, Taps an Age-Old Truth.” The New York Times. N.p., 29 Oct. 2014. Web.

Background: This article discusses the basic background behind the dating app “Tinder” and the generalizations made about  its users.

How I used it: I used this article to give an outsider’s agreement in my theory that Tinder is a hookup app, and is rarely used for romantic couplings. The author also provides a good explanation surrounding Tinder, the people who use it, as well as its role among social circles.

2.  Chamorro-Premuzic, Tomas. “The Tinder Effect: Psychology of Dating in the Technosexual Era.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 17 Jan. 2014. Web.

Background: This article also takes a look at the social aspect of Tinder within a newspaper, however the author often credited our “technosexual era” to the success of the app.

How I used it: I really liked how the author used the internet and technology as a major focus in their discussion about Tinder. This editorial really helped to formulate my theory surrounding Tinder, because no one else really looked at the way Tinder fits in with social media.

  1. Grom, Emily E. “Love Me Tinder or Mis-Match.com: Free versus Paid Online Dating Sites.” Digital Commons @ Winthrop University. N.p., 22 Apr. 2016. Web.

Background: Emily Grom (and others) conducted a study surrounding the desires and expectations of users of dating services. Their hypothesis focused primarily on the difference between paid and free dating services.

How I used it: I wanted to include factual data, I kept saying how users of Tinder were young adults and that they typically did not want long, monogamous relationships. This study helped to provide concrete evidence of my own hypotheses.

  1. Farvid, Pantea, and Virginia Baum. “Casual Sex as ‘not a Natural Act’ and  Other Regimes of Truth about Heterosexuality.” Sage Journals. Feminism & Psychology, 18 Apr. 2013. Web.

Background: This paper focuses primarily on casual sex and its role in heterosexual relationships. It also delves into the societal emphasis put on monogamous relationships.

How I used it: I thought it would be interesting to discuss how society favors monogamy over open and casual relationships. This essay provided academic level insight on the topic. It also discusses the intricacies of casual relationships. I was able to use this essay for it’s academic integrity to discuss a topic that might very well be the topic of a Cosmopolitan Magazine article (which I do not believe to be a reliable source).

      5. Garcia, Justin R., Chris Reiber, Sean G. Massey, and Ann M. Merriwether. “Sexual Hookup Culture: A Review.” Review of General Psychology : Journal of Division 1, of the American Psychological Association. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 June 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2016.

Background: This essay also discusses casual relationships, but often refers to them as “hookups”. It covers topics including hookup remorse, the prevalence of drugs and alcohol, and the perceived benefits of uncommitted sex.

How I used it: While this essay covers many topics revolving around “hookups” I really liked the dialogue surrounding its transition to normalcy. My entire Causal Essay is about how women are experiencing less pressure to be in monogamous relationships, and a professional essay discussing the increasing frequency of uncommitted sex was perfect to help prove my theory.

  1. Limpus, Laurel. “Liberation of Women: Sexual Repression and the Family.” Laurel Limpus-Liberation of Women. N.p., Aug. 2002. Web.

Background: Laurel Limpus goes into detail about female sexual repression and woman’s role within the family dynamic. She makes mentions towards sexual desires and society’s expectations of women.

 How I used it: I wanted to show how society is the reason why women are afraid to branch out of typical monogamous relationships. I wanted to make sure that in my essay it was clear the reason for women’s sexual repression is a result of society, which will be remedied by society’s participation in online activity.

  1. Jackson, Stevi, and Sue Scott. “The Personal Is Still Political: Heterosexuality, Feminism, and Monogamy.” Sage Journals. N.p., Feb. 2004. Web.

Background: This essay covers the idea that monogamy can be limiting and oppressive to women (at times). It really goes into detail surrounding society’s views and expectations of women in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships.

How I used it: I wanted to open up my readers minds to the idea that the tried and true monogamy shouldn’t be the only relationship to strive for. Many people feel as though they are put in a box that is restrictive and inflexible to their wants and needs, and are afraid of non-monogamy, strictly because of societal expectations.

  1. Haythornthwaite, Caroline. “Social Networks and Internet Connectivity Effects.” N.p., June 2005. Web. Background: This article discusses the beneficial aspects of the connectivity of the internet.It goes into detail about the types of relationships and bonds people develop through the internet.

    How I used it:Since one of the integral points of my essay is that the internet brings people together for positive discussions about sex, including this in my essay was important. I had to show how the internet connects people, in order to explain how those connections lead to conversations and expansion of ideas.

  1. Armstrong, Elizabeth A., Laura T. Hamilton, ELizabeth M. Armstrong, and J. Lotus Seeley. “‘‘Good Girls’’: Gender, Social Class, and Slut Discourse on Campus.” Sage Journals. American Sociological Association, 2014. Web.

Background: This article discussed women v. women slut shaming, and why it is damaging, especially, to young girls. It also discusses class differentiation, race divides, and other causal aspects of slut shaming.

How I used it: I used this article within my essay to show the scrutiny that girls face over sex and the relatively carefree attitude that boys get to have. Discussing the factors that lead to female sexual oppression was important for thesis.

  1. Webb, Lewis Mark. “Shame Transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to Cyberspace | Webb | First Monday.” Shame Transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to Cyberspace | Webb | First Monday. N.p., 6 Apr. 2015. Web.

    Background: This journal piece juxtaposes historical slut-shaming with modern day internet harassment. It looks at the similar themes in the shaming, but focuses on how the internet’s no-holds-barred attitude has exasperated the harmful effects of slut-shaming on women.

    How I used it: I wanted to convey that slut-shaming is not a new topic, and go over how the internet can give power to slut shamers, this journal piece covers those perfectly. The author’s words helped to give me ideas on where to take my argument.

  2. POV India. “”Women, Sexuality and the Internet.” .” Point of View, 26 Mar. 2013. Web.

Background: This blog post lightly touches on the idea of using the internet to connect women, who can then communicate and share stories and advice. However, it focuses on Indian women across the globe who use services of the internet to keep themselves from feeling so isolated and alone in their issues.

How I used it: My essay discusses the internet and its ability to bring women together, which is one of the themes of this essay. I was able to use a quote to show an actual example of women using the internet for this purpose.

Reflective-Dublin517

Core Value I. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

My first experience within Comp II included a writing titled “Stone Money” in which I discussed the value of money, our faith within economic systems, and even more abstract concepts. In high school I obviously experienced writing through stages full of drafts and revisions before my final submission. However, the revisions were nothing more than fixing spelling or grammatical errors. My “Stone Money Rewrite” was more than that, Professor Hodges encouraged us to include new content. Which is evident in my description of Brazilian URVs (units of real value) and how they worked through a story about buying a carton of eggs. We discussed elements such as this within class and it helped to stabilize an idea of the concept, and thus helped me to create a more complex and fulfilling piece of writing.

Core Value II. My work demonstrates that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

I understand that writing conveys meaning, when writing you have to have a purpose. My “Visual Rewrite” is an example of a writing that conveyed something with a purposeful intent. My goal was to completely describe the events of a 30 second public service announcement, I needed to do more than just describe characters and setting. I had to give a clear image of the entire visual, otherwise the purpose would be lost. This was a unique assignment for me, within a discipline I have never ventured into. Writing a research paper or an argumentative essay involves different language compared to my visual rewrite. My first “paragraph” has vocabulary revolving around angles and lighting “The commercial starts with a fade in from a black screen, it is nighttime, and the angle of the camera is from the left side of a road. It is focused on the taillights of a car (not directly, but from the left side) seen on a dimly lit woodsy road. The car appears to be moving fast because the image is blurred.” so that the image could be clearly pictured.

Core Value III. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

Typically, I have never been good at writing rebuttal arguments, I either fail defend my own argument by contradicting myself, or completely ignore any factual points from the opposite arguments. That being said, my “Rebuttal Argument” essay was no different. My essay was used as an example for other students to place feedback on , which reading their comments and suggestions really helped me to see where I faltered on my rebuttal argument (which as I previously stated is a problem area of mine). I focused too much on my own opinion and not on formulating the opinions of my readers. What was supposed to be an essay acknowledging opposite view points and clarify mine turned into a rant based solely on  my own ideals. I failed to think about my audience, and the feedback from my peers helped me to realize this so I could fix it for my rewrite.

Core Value IV: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

GOAL 4:

Writing a paper full of citations and quotes is nothing new, my first research paper was in sixth grade, and that is when I learned the difference between reliable and unreliable sources. Rules like, Wikipedia is never to be found on a works cited page, or a Facebook article is not a credible source for an academic paper, were things that I stood by. Finding sources to convey my argument then becomes difficult because a good forty percent of materials is eliminated for not being reliable enough. My “Causal Essay” contains citations from a few journals and other reliable sources. I have used Google Scholar in the past and it can result in some tasty sources, however utilizing the Rowan Library’s online database was my best decision. Professional discussions like the one I found within Pantea Farvid and Virginia Baum’s “Casual Sex as ‘not a Natural Act’ and  Other Regimes of Truth about Heterosexuality,”  proved to be very moving within my essay.

Core Value V. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

As I have already said, writing an academic paper with meaningful citations is not a new procedure for me. Citing sources that I use for direct quotes is a no brainer, however, it is also necessary to cite authors whose words help me to formulate my own thoughts and argument. I am taking their ideas and using them to help inspire my own, and that is deserving of citation. Not only is plagiarizing another’s words unethical, plagiarizing their thoughts is equally as scandalous. My entire “Stone Money” essay is based off of the ideas of another author, Milton Friedman, he deserved the appropriate acknowledgment for his inspiration for my writing. I also included material and ideas from other sources and authors that were equally deserving of reference.

 

Causal Argument Rewrite-Dublin517

                                  The End of Romantic Misogyny, Thanks Internet

                 Our western culture has lead us to believe that women in  monogamous relationships are superior, happier women, but as another sexual revolution rears its noble head; thoughts are changing. Not all women want to, or can, fit the mold of girlfriend or wife, that is why the transition of monogamy to free and open lifestyles is so significant. Authors Pantea Farvid and Virginia Baum help to sum up the negatives of institutional monogamy. Pointing out that the interests of men and capitalism are nursed by the existence of possessiveness, jealousy, and exclusion, all conveniently disguised as “romance.” Women will no longer  feel the need to justify their sexual desires and experiences with a committed romantic relationship. They can behave sexually and independently without the fear of the societal damnation that they have faced for centuries. Social media and dating services are a significant causal factor in the realization that sex and romance can be two different entities. The “techno-sexual” age has supplied women with the tools to liberate themselves from the romantic misogyny of monogamous relationships.

               There is no reason why a long-term monogamous relationship cannot be healthy and supportive to a woman. Despite the possibility to be an equal partnership, societal restraints often create a power dynamic that gives authority to the man. Theories often attribute this phenomena to old-world ideals that view women as property to be transferred from father to husband through marriage.  A woman could be tied down to a good man, or alone like a sad spinster. If they did not fall into one of those two scenarios they faced being slut-shamed and titled as promiscuous. Women have been pigeon holed in positions as girlfriends and wives, being seen as independent sexual individuals is a rarity.

These opinions are especially true within the realm of heterosexuality. Farvid and Baum hit the nail on the head once more  when they say “Marriage and, in more contemporary times, monogamy, have been constructed as the ideal way to have heterosexual relationships; the pinnacle of all heterosexual unions (Jackson and Scott, 2004; Robinson, 1997; Stelboum,1999) and the desired outcome of dating and relationships.” . Stevi Jackson and Sue Scott elaborate upon the reason why some women abstain from monogamy. Having a full-on romantic partner can be burdensome, it includes loss of individual identity as one transitions from individual to half-of-a-couple.Jackson and Scott also elaborate upon how it also means having to integrate said partner into an already formed social life, meeting friends and family and “making it work.” Some women prefer to reap the benefits of sexual activities without the hassle of a partnership.

           The increased traffic found on social media and dating services helps for those looking to do just that. According to the journal entry provided by the Review of General Psychology : Journal of Division 1, of the American Psychological Association, titled “Sexual Hookup Culture: A Review,” the prevalence of sex-orientated relationships has increased and the presence of slut-shaming is (slowly) becoming less pronounced. Tinder is an application designed to match up local singles, and has coined the title as the “hookup app.” Women who desire a sexual partner and nothing more, can swipe through dozens of profiles in minutes and find a reasonable suitor; they are in control. Not only does increased use of Tinder lead to higher levels of casual sex; but sex positive websites, Tumblr pages, and YouTube channels, all encourage safe-sexual exploration and liberation.

         This obsession with sex and sex positive content has lead to the success of internet oriented entities. For example, Laci Green is a famous YouTube personality, her website gives some insight on what exactly she does, “Promote a comprehensive model of sex education using technology.” TIME Magazine named her one of the “30 Most Influential People on the Internet” citing that “In an effort to provide a more approachable version of sex education, the YouTube star offers sisterly advice on everything from hookup culture to body positivity to BDSM.” Laci Green’s success can be attributed to the increased open-mindedness of younger generations and their fascination with the internet and sex. Her fame is symbolic of the correlation between compulsory internet use and acceptance of alternatives to traditional monogamy.

                   Open and unstructured relationships are becoming more popular, their convenience and lack of commitment is enticing to people of the modern age. According to a collaborated review found on the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s website,  “…these encounters often transpire without any promise of, or desire for, a more traditional romantic relationship. A review of the literature suggests that these encounters are becoming increasingly normative among adolescents and young adults in North America, representing a marked shift in openness and acceptance of uncommitted sex.” This transition is a powerful movement for the modern generation, and is akin to the sexual revolution of the “Swinging Sixties.” During that time, acceptance of pre-marital sex increased; during present times, acceptance of casual sex is also are rising.

The cause of the sexual liberation and counter-culture of the 1960’s is attributed to many factors; one in particular is increased media. Television made radical new, feminist ideas accessible to anyone in front of a TV screen. Today, anyone with a laptop or smart phone can watch a YouTube video about sex positivity or download Tinder and start swipin’. As Justin Garcia and other write within their piece titled “Sexual Hookup Culture: A Review.” a point about media’s new portrayel of casual sex, “The media suggest that uncommitted sex, or hookups, can be both physically and emotionally enjoyable and occur without ‘strings.’” Talking openly about sex can be uncomfortable for some, but through outlets found online, people can explore their sexual thoughts freely and comfortably. These opportunities are helping women to liberate themselves.

               Approval of casual sex allows women to feel more comfortable as sexual beings. Societal constructs have previously worked against those who lived outside of typical romantic scenarios, this is especially true when dealing with discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as individuals in the sex-industry worldwide. Through the internet and media, accessing testimonials of sex-workers, experiences of LGBTQ+ people, and the sexcapades of independent women, has worked to normalize alternatives to heterosexual monogamy. In fact, it has done more than that. The existence of sex positive conversations taking place on the internet have given support to those with questions and in need of help they cannot find elsewhere. Media has done more than just attempt to normalize sexual behavior for women, it has attempted to normalize life for those typically cast out.

                 This movement away from the status-quo may be similar to movements seen in the past, but it is entirely new. The power of the internet is grandiose and impressive and has made many societal impacts. It affects Presidential elections, world relations, and yes, even complex thoughts on heterosexual monogamy. YouTube channels, dating apps, Facebook, and online discussion forums, all help to include varying versions of sex and romance. Inclusion is an important step in our progress as a forward-thinking society, it will not be achieved without the help of the internet.

Works Cited
 Farvid, Pantea, and Virginia Baum. “Casual Sex as ‘not a Natural Act’ and  Other Regimes of Truth about Heterosexuality.” Sage Journals. Feminism & Psychology, 18 Apr. 2013. Web.
 Garcia, Justin R., Chris Reiber, Sean G. Massey, and Ann M. Merriwether. “Sexual Hookup Culture: A Review.” Review of General Psychology : Journal of Division 1, of the American Psychological Association. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 June 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2016.
Green, Laci. “Laci Green.” Laci Green. N.p., n.d. Web.
Jackson, Stevi, and Sue Scott. “The Personal Is Still Political: Heterosexuality, Feminism, and Monogamy.” Sage Journals. N.p., Feb. 2004. Web.

Definition Rewrite-Dublin517

Is Tinder A Dating App? A Hot Debate

Human beings, or at least almost all human beings, require relationships for healthy and satisfactory lives, we are by nature, social creatures. Finding acquaintances that will help us to create our relationships and identities in this age of technology is becoming increasingly easy. The existence of dating services such as eHarmony and Tinder have made finding partners, whether romantic or merely sexual, as accessible as possible. At a first glance, eHarmony and Tinder belong on the same playing field, but actually these two different examples are playing for two different teams.

Both companies are online services that aim to bring single persons together to create some sort of partnership, whether it lasts for one vodka cranberry or one lifetime. It is the makeup of the dating services that leads to the different result of a first date and the resulting “I dos” and “I don’ts.” Tinder has become synonymous with quick and easy hookups that do not go much further beyond first names and one night stands.While eHarmony is more of a household name that your sister’s-friend’s-cousin met her fiance of 2 years with, and boy she couldn’t be happier. As Nick Bilton of the New York Times puts it, “And all that swiping has given Tinder the nickname “the hookup app,” for its reputation for one-night stands—though the company tries to distance itself from the label.” Whether the company enjoys being known as a hookup hub is irrelevant, because that is exactly what it is.

The differences between dating apps and dating sites is even more clear when discussing the methods used to create matches. Companies like eHarmony and Match.com utilize “love algorithms” while Tinder capitalizes on men and women’s mere physical attraction. Bilton characterizes Tinder in the same way someone would approach another in a bar-type setting; people do not walk in and fill out an application and wait for a message, if they see someone that they find visually appealing they will offer to buy them a drink or ask for a dance. The reason more hookups happen with Tinder is because it is rooted in physical desire while eHarmony makes attempts at establishing emotional connections between users. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic wrote a piece for The Guardian, and within it he sums up the difference between the face-based Tinder and emotion-centric dating site:

This has been an important lesson for data enthusiasts who have tried to sterilize the game of love by injecting rigorous decision-making and psychometric algorithms into the process. Well, it turns out that people are a lot more superficial than psychologists thought. They would rather judge 50 pictures in two minutes than spend 50 minutes assessing one potential partner.

Despite the target audience, one difference does prevail between dating services. Some are free and some cost money. Typically, people looking for a serious partnership, or even marriage, are more willing to pay for expensive dating services. Those looking for quick and easy hookups will opt for a free version. This phenomena is a play on the whole, buying-a-cow-or-getting-the-milk-for-free idea. eHarmony and its lesser known counterparts charge what is sometimes a hefty fee for its usage while Tinder and its counterparts are cost free (besides some gimmicky in-app purchase options). The users of expensive dating agencies are typically older and more invested in finding a serious relationship. A study was performed through Winthrop University’s psychology department in which the risk taking behavior, age, and gender were examined in users of free versus paid dating programs. Emily Grom reports the results generally stated that those not looking for long term relationships were more likely to use free dating services like Tinder and more men used free dating sites. In addition, “Sixty percent of paid site users expected to meet their perfect match and less than 1% expected to just hook up.” Despite these findings, there are those that disagree with defining Tinder as an app that is used by most for sexually driven purposes. At times, it is seen as a successful way to meet new people and potential long term partners. It would be impossible to dismiss that healthy long-lasting relationships can result from Tinder because many have. Despite this evident fact,  a clear trend is visible that forces Tinder into the new-age category of  as an app designed solely for inconsequential sexual relationships.

Conversations about dating services are commonplace for glitz magazines and ladies luncheons, but the nitty gritty about hooking up and hanging out, is a relatively new discussion. On a college campus, one can walk down the hallway of any given dorm room and hear buzzwords like “swipe left” or “new match.” From the perspective of a college student, the presence of social media and dating services is incredibly large and even distracting which is why open avenues of dialogue surrounding them are not only important but also beneficial. Understanding how to navigate this new world of technology is necessary for those being brought up in an age where it demands their attention. Knowing what sets Tinder apart from the rest may not aid in getting a college degree but it does help when it weaves its way into most dining hall conversations.

Works Cited

Bilton, Nick. “Tinder, the Fast-Growing Dating App, Taps an Age-Old Truth.” The New York Times. N.p., 29 Oct. 2014. Web.

Chamorro-Premuzic, Tomas. “The Tinder Effect: Psychology of Dating in the Technosexual Era.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 17 Jan. 2014. Web.

Grom, Emily E. “Love Me Tinder or Mis-Match.com: Free versus Paid Online Dating Sites.” Digital Commons @ Winthrop University. N.p., 22 Apr. 2016. Web.

Robust Verbs-Dublin517

Many heroin addicts turn to committing crimes to support their habits, the drug ruins their ambitions and destroys aspirations for anything other than getting high. Vancouver knows firsthand the affects that rampant heroin addiction has on crime rates. The “free heroin for addicts” program aims at doing everything they can to stop the addicts. Large crime rates due to the addicts are disturbing the peace within the city.  Addicts have a hard time overcoming the crippling effects of their addiction to live their day to day lives. Daily activities, jobs, interactions, and relationships are hard to maintain while using and are often given up by users to sustain their habit. Heroin addiction causes desperation in those hooked on the potent street drug; so much so, they turn to any means necessary to fulfill a craving. Breaking and entering as well as stealing are commonplace for the addicted looking to score some cash to feed their habit. Addicts are limitless when it comes to finding their means of purchasing their drug of choice. The program within Vancouver does not help to ween these addicts off using heroin, it merely focuses on lowering the crime rates that they’re up to. These addicts will be off the streets if given the drug directly, which in turn will prevent them from committing minor street crimes. Heroin users will also be kept out of the hospital. Hospitals should not be burdened with people that use bad drugs or unsanitary needles and find themselves unable to afford costly hospital bills. Giving free, clean heroin to addicts may fix the city  but not the addiction that these people face.

Enough About You-Dublin517

Money seems to have a big role in our society; no-one  can do much or get far if they don’t have any. Money is valuable in different ways, even when it is not seen physically. In today’s society there must be faith in the government and in the banking system that our money is being handled within, if not then we would have to hide all of our money under our mattresses or around our homes. What happens in the banks and how they take care of our money is not well understood by the masses. However, some believe that money is simple; its there or its not—that’s it. Being introduced to this assignment, the Yap Fei, US gold, French francs, Brazilian cruzeros, and debit accounts now seem similar. No one actually sees their money being transferred. When we get paid, we aren’t handed cash, we don’t receive a physical check, the money’s all directly transferred to our bank account, and we just have to trust that we got more money.

Rebuttal-Dublin517

Slut Shamers, Cockroaches of the Internet

It should come as no surprise that women experience harassment on the internet. Through the disguise of anonymous usernames hateful and misogynistic insults can be hurled at whim by the “trolls” that get pleasure from tearing down a women’s self-esteem. When insults revolve around a woman’s sexuality or sexual promiscuity they are typically known as “slut-shaming”. Due to the over-abundance of slut shaming occurring through social media, some would think that a woman’s sexual freedom is being policed and limited; and to an extent this is true. However, women are now more than ever overcoming slut shaming and taking control of their bodies. In fact through the connectivity of social media and the internet women have reclaimed the term “slut” and have come together to overcome and destroy slut shaming.

Women do not get to experience the same sexual freedoms that men do,though, through progressive social media use the idea of women being equally sexual beings is becoming normalized. Nicki Minaj is a famous rapper, known for capitalizing on her assets, to say the least. Besides having impressive talents and an eye for business opportunities, she also combats slut shaming. Her music video for her song Anaconda received a lot of criticisms for being too sexual , her response being “I went overboard with the video to show that I’m not going to hide. And those big-booty dancers I have, they’re not going to hide. Black girls should feel sexy, powerful and important too.” Minaj also contributes to Amber Rose’s Slut Walk foundation, which combats slut shaming, double standards, and helps sexual assault victims (Anglis). Minaj has a prominent social media presence which normalizes her sexy style and encourages girls to be confident in their sexuality. The foundation reclaims the term “Slut” and uses it to empower women to overcome the gender based obstacles that stand before them.

Again, social media is a breeding ground for slut shaming, for instance Miley Cyrus received over 306,000 tweets per minute during her 2013 VMA performance, most shamed her for her seductive style of dancing (Menza). Not only through Twitter, slut shaming occurs though Instagram, Facebook, and even Snapchat. The argument here is not that slut shaming has been eradicated through social media, in fact it is quite the opposite. The congregation of women (and men) tired of seeing post after post filled with condemning ideals has caused people to actively use social media to put a stop to slut shaming. These groups of individuals have been able to use the connectivity that comes with the internet to be able to constitute a clear and united voice with many goals. To spread acceptance, encourage people to become comfortable with themselves, and stop slut shaming, among other things. The website, Stopslut.org, is aimed at not only stopping slut shaming but also rape culture as a whole “Using a revolutionary play, a book and storytelling-based activism workshops, StopSlut aims to transform rape culture into a culture of CARE– communication, accountability, respect and empathy”.

Rape culture also plays a major role within the realm of the internet and is a key factor when it comes to slut shaming. Looking at current events, after the results of the 2016 election were announced and people were disappointed that Donald Trump was the President to be, they turned to their best weapon, social media. Trump is often associated, infamously, for his “Grab her by the pussy” comment thus his ability to still be elected is thought to be a result of our inherent rape culture in the United States. A man that has clearly stated consent is not something he values highly when it comes to sexual advances, was still thought to be a suitable world leader for our country. Rape culture often minimizes the seriousness of rape and sexual assault and perpetuates the idea that women are sexual objects to be lusted after and even “grabbed” without concern  to their comfort or safety. Protests voicing dissatisfaction with the electoral college’s decision for Trump were organized via Facebook pages, Instagram posts, and the twitter-sphere. Hashtags like #antitrump, #nevertrump, and #dumptrump all brought the people who were against Trump (for various reasons including racism and homophobia) together to voice their concerns. One of the biggest concerns being his treatment of women and perpetuation of rape culture.

Slut shaming is not a new concept, shunning women for being sexual has been commonplace for centuries. Lewis Mark Webb sums it up best when he says (in reference to comparing slut shaming historically to modern day)  “the Roman Republic with recent cases on the Internet, and I maintain that the focus of this slut-shaming, namely sexual virtue, has remained the same over time, but that the unregulated nature of the Internet has increased its scope and impact.” The magnitude seen through the internet is rather unique; people are not afraid to say inappropriate things online because there are no consequences for it.  That is, until now. People are getting tired of hearing misogynistic and dated thoughts one after the other and the convenience of anonymity has also given them the ability to type right back. The internet has started to change from a place where slut shaming can bloom, into a battlefield where intellectual logic is used to combat the backwards rhetoric that has overstayed its welcome.

 

Works Cited
Anglis, Jaclyn. “7 Celebs Who Have Made Statements Against Slut-Shaming.” Bustle.com. N.p., 15 Sept. 2015. Web.
Menza, Kaitlin. “Teen Girls Take a Stand Against Slut Shaming: What It Is, and Why You Should Care – StopSlut.” StopSlut Teen Girls Take a Stand Against Slut Shaming What It Is and Why You Should Care Comments. N.p., 02 June 2015. Web.
Webb, Lewis Mark. “Shame Transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to Cyberspace | Webb | First Monday.” Shame Transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to Cyberspace | Webb | First Monday. N.p., 6 Apr. 2015. Web.

 

 

Causal Argument- Dublin517

The End of Romantic Misogyny, Thanks Internet

                  Our western culture has lead us to believe that women in  monogamous relationships are superior, happier women, but as another sexual revolution rears its noble head; thoughts are changing. Not all women want to, or can, fit the mold of girlfriend or wife, that is why the transition of monogamy to free and open lifestyles is so significant. Authors Pantea Farvid and Virginia Baum help to sum up the negatives of institutional monogamy. Pointing out that the interests of men and capitalism are favored through feelings of possessiveness, jealousy, and exclusion, all conveniently disguised as “romance”. Women will no longer  feel the need to justify their sexual desires and experiences with a committed romantic relationship. They can behave sexually and independently without the fear of the societal damnation that they have faced for centuries. Furthermore, through the aid of social media and dating services, the realization that sex and romance can be two different entities has come into view. The “techno-sexual” age has supplied women with the tools to liberate themselves from the romantic misogyny of monogamous relationships.

                There is no reason why a long-term monogamous relationship cannot be healthy and supportive to a woman. Despite the possibility to be an equal partnership, societal restraints often create a power dynamic that gives authority to the man. Theories often attribute this phenomena to old-world ideals that view women as property to be transferred from father to husband through marriage.  If they did not fall into one of those two scenarios they faced being slut-shamed and titled as promiscuous. These opinions are especially true within the realm of heterosexuality , women involved in LGBTQ relationships have their own forms of constriction but typically have less emphasis on monogamy. Farvid and Baum hit the nail on the head once more  when they say “Marriage and, in more contemporary times, monogamy, have been constructed as the ideal way to have heterosexual relationships; the pinnacle of all heterosexual unions (Jackson and Scott, 2004; Robinson, 1997; Stelboum,1999) and the desired outcome of dating and relationships.” . Stevi Jackson and Sue Scott elaborate within their writing called “The Personal is still Political: Heterosexuality, Feminism, and Monogamy” the reason why some women abstain from monogamy. Having a full-on romantic partner can be burdensome, it includes loss of individual identity as one transitions from individual to half-of-a-couple. It also means having to integrate said partner into an already formed social life, meeting friends and family and “making it work”(Jackson, Scott). Some women prefer to reap the benefits of sexual activities without the hassle of a partnership.

The increased traffic found on social media and dating services has opened a floodgate of never before seen opportunities for women. For instance the prevalence of sex-orientated relationships has increased and the presence of slut-shaming is (slowly) becoming less pronounced (Garcia). Tinder is an application designed to match up local singles, and has coined the title as the “hookup app”. Women who desire a sexual partner and nothing more, can swipe through dozens of profiles in minutes and find a reasonable suitor; they are in control. Not only does increased use of Tinder lead to higher levels of casual sex; but sex positive websites, Tumblr pages, and YouTube channels, all encourage safe-sexual exploration and liberation.

          This obsession with sex and sex positive content has lead to the success of internet oriented entities. For example, Laci Green is a famous YouTube personality , the mission statement found on her website gives some insight on what exactly she does, “Promote a comprehensive model of sex education using technology.” Times Magazine named her one of the “30 Most Influential People on the Internet” citing that “In an effort to provide a more approachable version of sex education, the YouTube star offers sisterly advice on everything from hookup culture to body positivity to BDSM.” Laci Green’s success can be attributed to the increased open-mindedness of newer generations and their fascination with the internet and even sex. Her fame is symbolic of the correlation between compulsory internet use and acceptance of alternatives to institutional monogamy.

                     According to a collaborated review found on the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s website,  “…these encounters often transpire without any promise of, or desire for, a more traditional romantic relationship. A review of the literature suggests that these encounters are becoming increasingly normative among adolescents and young adults in North America, representing a marked shift in openness and acceptance of uncommitted sex. ” (Garcia). This transition is a powerful movement for the modern generation, and is akin to the sexual revolution of the “Swinging Sixties”. During that time, levels of acceptance on pre-marital sex went up, and during present times levels of acceptance on casual sex are rising. The cause of the sexual liberation and counter-culture of the 1960’s is attributed to many factors; one in particular is increased media. Television broadcasts made radical new ideas accessible to anyone in front of a TV screen. Our modern day situation mirrors this, anyone with a smart phone can watch a YouTube video about sex positivity or download Tinder and start swipin’.

               As a result of societies added approval of casual sex, women are feeling more comfortable as sexual beings. Societal constructs have previously worked against those who lived outside of typical romantic scenarios, and this is especially true when dealing with discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community as well as individuals in the sex-industry. Through the internet and media, accessing testimonials of sex-workers, experiences of LGBTQ people, and even just the sexcapades of independent women, has worked to normalize alternatives to heterosexual monogamy. Even the popularity of the HBO hit, “Sex and the City” is a precursor to the attitudes towards woman and sex. Four independent women living in New York City, making ends meet, dating, having sex, and living their lives. All the central characters are women and their romantic partnerships vary throughout the show as much as Sarah Jessica Parker’s hairstyles do.

This movement away from the status-quo may be similar to movements seen in the past, but it is entirely new. The power of the internet is grandiose and impressive and has made many societal impacts. It affects Presidential elections, world relations, and yes, even complex thoughts on heterosexual monogamy. YouTube channels, dating apps, discussion forums, all help to include more than just one version of sex and romance. Inclusion is an important step in our progression as a forward-thinking society, and it could not be achieved without the help of the internet.

Works Cited
New Source: Farvid, Pantea, and Virginia Baum. “Casual Sex as ‘not a Natural Act’ and         Other Regimes of Truth about Heterosexuality.” Sage Journals. Feminism & Psychology, 18 Apr. 2013. Web.
New Source: Garcia, Justin R., Chris Reiber, Sean G. Massey, and Ann M. Merriwether.         “Sexual Hookup Culture: A Review.” Review of General Psychology : Journal of Division 1, of the American Psychological Association. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 June 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2016.
New Source: Green, Laci. “Laci Green.” Laci Green. N.p., n.d. Web.
New Source: Jackson, Stevi, and Sue Scott. “The Personal Is Still Political: Heterosexuality, Feminism, and Monogamy.” Sage Journals. N.p., Feb. 2004. Web.