"Bitch" Bad?

12/1/2014

The term “Bitch” is defined as “a malicious, spiteful, or overbearing woman —sometimes used as a generalized term of abuse.” However, recently women have been using this word to proudly identify themselves (take this "self-help" book on how to be the right type of bitch, for instance). Do you think this term is offensive or endearing? Should women be embracing it or should they take offense to it? Explain your reasoning.

9 Comments

Dana

12/1/2014 11:37:20 am

The term "bitch" is mainly used as an offensive term, considering it is an offensive word itself. It is used by someone trying to evoke some type of negative emotion from another person. Being told that you are a bitch is an open expression of someone else's dislike for you. Despite the negative meaning, I don't believe that as women we should always take it to heart. Those who are lower than said "bitch" use it when they feel intimidated and want to affect them emotionally. This is especially true when women use it against each other. Real women raise each other up and do not put one another down. If you can't get along with a certain female then you should be on your way and save your breath. Bitch is not a synonym for "queen" or "woman of power", and calling yourself it gives men the opportunity to do the same.

Marc

12/2/2014 09:04:32 am

The word Bitch is used by both men and women. Men will usually call one of their friends a bitch when they are joking around or are in a fight and use bitch as in basically calling their friend a chicken. I have heard girls call each other "bitch or bitches". When they were using it as a joking term. Also you have to think of it as there will always be a group of people who use the word to actually put someone down and not use it in a joking manner. I agree with girls embarrassing the word "bitch" words should always have multiple meanings to them. Where bitch should be one of those words were a girl can go up to her friends and be like "whats up my bitches." To use it in the manner of joking around and they really shouldn't take offense to it. I don't have a problem with girls calling each other "bitch". Its kind of like when a guy calls his friends "dicks" we mean in the joking around term and don't mean in a literally term.

Kaley

12/3/2014 03:13:09 pm

The word "bitch" has a history of being used as an offensive term, and it continues to insult both men and women today. Unfortunately, now more than ever, the word is being used as any other common noun or adjective. The understanding of the word has been misconceived. Instead of thinking of it as an actual overbearing woman, it can be thought of as a close friend. On the flip side, a guy can be called a bitch to be characterized as a wimp, or in a joking friendly manner. Women should be taking offense to this wide variety of uses, because it's almost making a joke out of the word itself and it's original meaning. This is also showing the vulnerability of women. A once serious and hurtful word is now being used without second thought. Today, I believe the word gets it's meaning depending on the person who says it, and the tone they use.

Lauren

12/4/2014 04:53:29 am

Over the years the connotation of the word, "bitch" has altered. In the past, this word was used as a negative term to offend many females. Now, it's a term of empowerment in most cases. "Bitch" can be used in different context in which sometimes is not offensive. In today's society, for example, best friends sometimes call themselves "best bitches" or "bad bitches." Other words commonly thought to be offensive such as "whore" can not be taken out of context like "bitch" can. "Bitch" is also an important to pop culture today. Many songs refer to "bitches" in an unoffensive way and you'll find many people singing along. Therefore society has definitely changed the definition of "bitch" to become less offensive to females.

Rachel

12/4/2014 05:01:43 am

The term "Bitch" has been used mostly for girls who do not act like the way women are supposed to act. Over the year bitch has been used is a number of ways to offend or praise someone. Now a days you need to validate yourself to even be considered a "bad bitch." In that way it is an up lifting word usually directed at females. The term bitch synonymous with terms with independent, hard working, and strait forward. Examples of popular bitches would be: Beyonce, Alexa Chung, Iggy, Rita Orda, and the Kardashines. They embody feminism boldness and power. Now younger kids are looking up to these females trying to empower the title as a "bad bitch."

Nick

12/4/2014 09:07:15 am

I don't believe that women should adopt this term because it is generally seen as having a spiteful and overbearing nature as stated above. Like we all know most men don't have the slightest amount of tolerance to deal with anything other than near perfection. This is where i believe the term came from, men use it to describe women that wont do exactly what they say; Yet the world has found a way to turn the meaning of bitch from a spiteful woman to a meaning of weakness as marc said "bitch as in basically calling their friend a chicken". The term bitch changes meaning through maturity in the end. referring back to marc it is used to call someone scared or weak; while as maturity comes into effect it because an offensive term to describe a horrible, wicked, heartless, and hurtful woman. the term BITCH is used in a negative way to hate on someone that you don't like.

Collin

12/4/2014 09:36:58 am

How can someone classify a person to be a "bitch". There are many examples of how someone can be bitchy. Someone can have a bitchy personality or could be in a bitchy mood. When people use the word bitchy, it usually means having a bad attitude, so in hindsight being a bitch should be bad, So how can someone be considered a bitch unless they continuously have the same bad mood. Bitch should be considered as an insult rather than a compliment. Most people would try to avoid people with bitchy personalities. Humans are naturally social creatures, so why would we surround ourselves with people with bad moods that only boost their egos but hurts others...

Tim

12/4/2014 11:52:42 am

The term "bitch" can be used in a derogatory manner, or a playful one. It is both offensive and endearing. Taking offense to the word "bitch" is natural, as its definition is inherently degrading. However, people should look at the context in which it is used. If a guy says it to another guy, it is usually not meant in an overly demeaning way. The same can be said for when a girl speaks it to a girl. But every rule has its exceptions, and there are instances where calling someone of the same sex a bitch is meant in a hurtful way. So if you want to take offense to the word "bitch", first look at the context.

Mikayla

12/4/2014 11:59:09 am

The term bitch is mostly used in an offensive way. When hateful comments are being thrown around the word "bitch" is probably the first word to be used. This may be because it is the most popular known offensive term. Depending on the person calling you a bitch it could be used as a joking way. Friends like to call their friend bitches to joke around. Since they are friends they known its in a joking way so its not offensive. But overall, the term bitch is used in an offensive way like the phrases "bitch slap" or "son of a bitch". When talking to a random stranger you wouldn't be like "hey bitch" so I wouldn't use it with anyone.

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"Bitch" Bad?

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