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Beauty Privilege, Thirst Trapping and Promiscuity Shaming: Quillette Cetera Episode 9

Claire & Zoe discuss the complex world of intrasexual female competition and their experiences with it.

· 2 min read
Beauty Privilege, Thirst Trapping and Promiscuity Shaming: Quillette Cetera Episode 9
Photo by Waxwing / Unsplash

Why do some women choose to post provocative selfies online? Critics argue that such behavior is degrading and objectifying, and hints at a lack of self-confidence and a desperate need for validation from strangers. But could there be a plausible evolutionary explanation for women posting saucy pics?

Claire and Zoe delve into their personal experiences of posting selfies online, introspecting on the motivations behind their actions. They conclude that if we can move past moral judgment, and instead examine this behavior through a scientific perspective, we will be more empowered to make informed decisions about how to conduct ourselves both online and in-person.


"Slut shaming" refers to the practice of criticizing or mocking someone, usually a woman, for their real or presumed sexual behaviour, including for dressing in a sexual manner, having premarital, casual, or promiscuous sex, or for behaving in ways that deviate from traditional or socially accepted gender expectations.

"Thirst trapping" is a term that originated in online and social media culture. It refers to the act of posting provocative or tantalizing images or messages on social media platforms to attract attention, particularly of a sexual or romantic nature. While it's commonly associated with photos that emphasize physical attractiveness, a thirst trap can also be a post that highlights other desirable qualities or achievements to gain attention or admiration.

Beauty Privilege, Thirst Trapping & Promiscuity Shaming.
Why do women post sexy selfies? And why does this behaviour anger some people? Claire Lehmann and Zoe Booth discuss the complex world of intrasexual female c…

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