Although it’s not as commonly used as it once was, you may have heard the phrase “tart woman,” which is often just shortened to “a tart.”
This term is pretty exclusively used to refer to women, and specifically those that others see as promiscuous.
However, a woman may earn this label based on her appearances and other behaviors, even if she doesn’t have much of a sexual history.
Table of Contents
What are some similar terms?
Many terms share a similar meaning with “tart woman,” including the following.
- Slut/slutty
- Loose
- Whore
- Prostitute
- Promiscuous
- Floozy
- Harlot
- Hooker
- Hussy
- Jezebel
- Strumpet
Some of these phases are pretty outdated, so you may never have heard them before.
You may also notice that some of these descriptions can be used as a noun and an adjective, just like “tart woman.” For example, a woman can be a slut or slutty.
What makes a woman a tart?
A woman can be considered a tart for several reasons. First, she may be known or rumored to have had many sexual partners, especially casual partners.
Next, some people assume that a woman’s appearance indicates whether she is sexually active.
Low-cut tops, short skirts, form-fitting dresses, and “stripper heels” may all cause people to call someone a tart.
However, these reasons why people may call a woman a tart are based on assumptions.
Just because a woman dresses a certain way doesn’t mean she’s promiscuous or even seeking sexual attention.
It may just be her sense of style or make her feel confident.
Plus, it’s nearly impossible to know the truth about a person’s sexual history. After all, you’ve never been there to witness others’ sexual encounters. That’d be weird.
Remember that people will spread rumors about a woman’s sexual behavior for multiple reasons.
A guy might say that he hooked up with a woman because it makes him look good, especially if his ego is bruised from rejection.
And people may say a woman is a tart because they want others to judge and shame her.
Why does it matter if a woman is a tart?
Whether she’s called a tart, a slut, or a whore, all of these labels are insults based on the idea that there is a right way to be a woman.
If you do anything else, you’re in some way bad.
This is because society likes to control people, and judging a woman based on her sexuality is a common form of control.
Obviously, men aren’t judged in the same way. That’s why there are so few ways to describe a man who is perceived as promiscuous.
Even if you call a man a slut, it doesn’t have the same impact as calling a woman one.
If you give it some thought, you can see how deep this form of control goes even though society is slowly changing.
Whether you realize it or not, the following attitudes have rubbed off on you in some way or another.
A woman is a tart if she’s promiscuous. Why does it matter? Because it means she has had many sexual partners.
She might also reject the idea that sex must happen in a relationship or that you should wait until you’re married to have sex.
Why does society have these expectations for women?
The very idea that women shouldn’t have many partners suggests that they should only enjoy sex in certain situations.
That’s definitely not something that men have to deal with in the same way!
It all goes back to the idea that a woman should somehow be pure or virginal for her male partners, even if society doesn’t expect the same of men.
If she’s had many partners, or even sometimes any partners, she’s considered “used” or “tainted.”
Her value has decreased. This is why spreading lies about a woman’s sexual history is such an effective form of social control.
Some of these expectations have religious roots. But not everyone is part of the same religion or wants to live their lives according to religious standards.
So, trying to force them to do so removes their personal freedom of choice.
What is the result of trying to control female sexuality?
Perhaps you’ve already realized that if a woman’s sexual past is linked to her value, there’s an unspoken approval for people to treat her worse than someone with a shorter sexual history.
Not only do men not receive similar treatment, but you’ve seen how this can come into play even if there’s only a hint or assumption of promiscuity.
Many girls and women can become self-conscious because they’re aware of this.
They want to avoid being seen as too sexual, improper, or tart, even if they’ve never used those specific words before.
They might judge themselves based on society’s unfair standards for women, something that’s known as internalized misogyny.
It’s also easy to become resentful when you feel like you are playing by the rules and someone else isn’t.
Cattiness and competition often stem from this judgment, so these attitudes ultimately divide women.
Why is the idea of a “tart woman” unproductive?
The idea of calling a woman a tart is unhelpful and silly.
After all, shouldn’t we want our partners to be interested in sex if we are?
Who doesn’t want to know their partner is excited to get down and dirty – and feels comfortable saying “no” when they aren’t?
If we only expect women to want sex when and how their partners do, then we’re seeing them less as people with unique thoughts and feelings and more as objects.
This can contribute to rape culture, which includes sexual assault and harassment.
Plus, this control doesn’t actually help us have great sex. Judging women for their sexual interests can lead to intense shame that interferes with their body’s sexual function.
Policing female sexuality is also one reason why women masturbate less frequently than men, which can prevent them from discovering their sexual desires and preferences and sharing them with partners.
Is there a good argument for sexual experience?
Yes. Like many things, sex is one of those things that is best learned from experience.
Sure, you can read a book about it or even watch porn but being sexual with another person teaches you to communicate, read body language, and push your sexual boundaries.
Sex is also something that most people need to work at to improve their skills.
No one is born a sexual master, especially when you consider that everyone has their own personal preferences.
So, anyone who has had a few partners or tried new things in bed has had a chance to become a better lover.
If you’re worried about not being able to have first-time experiences with your partner, consider this.
Given the range of sexual activities you can try, there are certainly plenty of things to try that you and your partner have likely never tried before.
And doing something with the right person can feel like a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, even if you’ve done that thing with someone in the past.
Who should control a woman’s sexuality?
Ultimately, no one but a woman herself should choose when, how, and with whom she has sex.
Every person deserves to control how their own body looks and who has access to it. This is the concept behind bodily autonomy.
Once we understand that, women will have to worry much less about being called tarts.
