So you’ve made some mistakes in your college career — it happens! A one-night stand may be on your top 5 list of college mistakes. But we’ve got a bone to pick with society: why is a one-night stand called a mistake for girls and “another notch in the belt” for guys?
Let’s face it, girls get judged and ridiculed far more about this than guys do. Some may go as far as “slut-shaming” a girl when referencing back to her “walk of shame.” Courtney, a senior at William Paterson University, gives insight into why the “walk of shame” is looked at differently for girls and guys. She says, “Girls are socialized to not sleep around, but if that happens we feel guilt, whereas guys are taught to have experience and are idolized when they have multiple hook ups; it gives them a sense of pride.”
To girls out there worrying about this, a one-night stand does not make you a terrible person or someone who’s “been around the block.” Not every girl that has this encounter does this on a regular basis, so stop the assumptions. And even if they do — it doesn’t matter. Danielle, a sophomore at Rutgers University, states, sometimes “you look like a hot mess walking home in your clothes the night before and it’s obvious you stayed the night with someone; it’s perception in society,” but does that make it any better than a guy doing exactly the same? It is all about how you perceive the situation. And it’s time to change the way things are perceived.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are some people who think the “walk of shame” isn’t something to worry about. Shane, a sophomore at Rutgers University, says, “I don’t think anyone should consider it the ‘walk of shame.’ Who cares what people think as long as you enjoyed your night? Guys call it the ‘walk of game,’ but girls care too much about what other people think.”
If guys can feel empowered about a night spent with someone, why can’t a woman wake up the next morning without horrifying regret? Society has hard-wired our brains to think this way. Men are supposed to have the authority to walk home from a one-night stand without backlash while women are looked at as filthy as they head home. Why is it such a taboo topic to talk about? Call out the double standard, ladies! It’s time we collegiettes turn the stereotype around and wake up the morning after feeling good — even great — about ourselves.
Tips
- When you go out, carry some essentials that could help you adjust to the possibility of staying over (as well as the experience of the morning after)! Remember toiletries, makeup for touch ups, and any other items you might need! The Walk of Shame Kit is a great go-to!
- If you do feel comfortable enough, ask the guy to give you a ride home; turn your “walk of shame” into a “ride with pride”!