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Objectification theorists argue that routine sexual objectification, experienced interpersonally and via the media, encourages women and adolescent girls to value their external appearance and sexiness above other bodily experiences and competencies. Commonly, tests of this theory have linked exposure to sexualizing media content (i.e., TV, music videos, social media) to self-objectification and subsequently to consequences such as disordered eating among predominantly White samples. Do these analyses extend to U.S. girls of color and to broader well-being consequences? Using structural equation modeling, we tested theorized connections among 884 adolescent girls aged 13–18, including 391 White girls, 248 Black girls, and 245 Asian American girls. Participants completed surveys assessing their use of several social media platforms, social media engagement, self-sexualization, mental health symptoms, self-esteem, and body shame. We also examined age, racial identity, and racial composition of peer group as moderators. The model worked as expected for the full sample, with social media use and engagement predicting greater self-sexualization, which in turn was associated with diminished well-being. However, the model fit was worse for the White girls than for girls of color, and some constructs operated differently. Implications for future research with girls and possible media interventions are discussed. • Social media use is linked with greater self-sexualization across race for teen girls. • Self-sexualization is associated with lower well-being across race for teen girls. • Findings support tenets of objectification theory for Black and Asian teen girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically separated the effects of body size and sexualisation in social media images on women's body image. Young women (18–25 years, N = 194) viewed 10 social media images of either (1) sexualised women in larger bodies; (2) non-sexualised women in larger bodies; (3) sexualised women in smaller bodies; or (4) non-sexualised women in smaller bodies. Participants completed pre- and post-exposure measures of body image and related constructs. Thin ideal internalisation was examined as a moderator of those effects. The body size of the women in the images was more influential than how sexualized their bodies were presented. Regardless of sexualisation, viewing images of women with smaller bodies was negative for appearance satisfaction, negative mood, and body appreciation, and viewing women with larger bodies was positive for body appreciation and neutral for appearance satisfaction and mood. The impact of body size on appearance satisfaction was stronger for those high in thin ideal internalisation. Women with larger bodies were perceived more positively than those with smaller bodies. However, participants' self-objectification increased in all conditions. Thus, while viewing images of women with larger bodies provides promise for improving social media, further research is needed before it is recommended broadly. • Viewing images of women with smaller (thin) bodies was negative for all outcomes. • Viewing images of women with larger bodies was positive or neutral for body image. • The level of sexualisation in the images had little impact on women's body image. • Women formed more positive impressions of those with larger than smaller bodies. • Women's self-objectification increased in all conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile Dating Applications (MDAs) are integral to young adults' lives, serving as a platform for romantic and sexual self-presentation during the search for potential partners. Despite its potential link to adverse outcomes including body shame, the prevalence of sexualized self-presentation remains understudied. This pre-registered linkage study addresses this gap by documenting sexualized self-presentation while considering individual differences related to gender, sexual orientation, and body image. Young adults donated MDA (Tinder, Bumble) profile screenshots (n biographies = 443, n pictures = 1277; M age = 23.15, SD = 2.94; 72.20 % women). Of those 443 participants, 237 additionally completed a body image linkage survey (M age = 23.36, SD = 2.90; 71.30 % women). Sexualized self-presentation appeared in 4.30 % of biographies and 56.80 % of profile pictures, mainly through sexualized facial expressions. Women, non-heterosexual users, and those holding a more negative body image engaged more in sexualized self-presentation. Platform type and positive body image indicators did not relate to engagement in sexualized self-presentation. Future research is recommended to explore whether the extensive presence of sexualized self-presentations on MDAs impacts users' personal and relational well-being. • This study adopts an innovative methodological approach by using linkage analyses. • Sexualized self-presentation was present in over half of dating app profiles. • Gender, sexual orientation and negative body image related to sexualized self-presentation. • Platform type and positive body image were not related to sexualized self-presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research suggests that sexualized women are dehumanized and viewing sexualized images negatively impacts viewers' body image; however, plus-size women are mostly absent from this research. The current studies investigate how sexualization impacts dehumanization of plus-size women and participants' body image. In Study 1 (N = 277, M age = 19.52, SD =1.77) men and women viewed images of plus-size and thin sexualized and non-sexualized women and rated the women on traits linked to dehumanization. Results indicated that sexualized thin targets were perceived as less human than plus-size sexualized and non-sexualized targets. Plus-size sexualized targets were also perceived as less human than plus-size non-sexualized targets. In Study 2 (N = 500, M age = 18.98, SD = 1.51) we investigated the impact of viewing sexualized images on participants' feelings about their own body. Results indicated that sexualization, but not body size, impacted women's objectified body consciousness. Men's body esteem was impacted by the body size of the image. Perceived race of the image also impacted feelings of body control for both men and women. Taken together these results highlight that sexualization, at any body size, impacts women's views about themselves and sexualized women, at any body size, are dehumanized. • Sexualization prompted dehumanization of women, regardless of their body-size. • Perceptions of sexualized women seems to differ based on their body-size. • Sexualized images increased objectified body consciousness of women. • Body size did not impact body esteem of women but did impact men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research increasingly explores body positive (BoPo) messaging and diverse model representation in advertising. Fashion and beauty brands are incorporating diverse models in traditional media to address criticisms of promoting narrow appearance ideals, yet their social media communications remain understudied. This content analytical study (n = 460 models, 16 brands) analyzes BoPo messages and diverse model representation in fashion and beauty brands' Instagram posts. Variations according to the brands' reputation, posts' framing, and posts' popularity were considered. Results showed that although diverse models appeared to be prominently featured in the brands' Instagram posts (71.50 %; n = 329), the majority of these posts displayed only one aspect of diversity. Racial diversity was the most represented diversity trait (76.29 %, n = 251), while body (32.80 %, n = 151), facial (12.10 %, n = 38), and generational diversity (22.50 %, n = 73) were limited. The sexualization frame (88.70 %, n = 408) prevailed over the empowerment frame (32.40 %, n = 149). Positive changes were noted with the empowerment frame significantly relating to the representation of diverse models. Yet, this study also highlighted that such positive messages still co-occur with negative messages as an empowerment frame co-occurred with a highly prevalent sexualization frame. • Most of the models in brands' Instagram posts were diverse. • Most of the diverse models merely portrayed one diversity trait (mainly racial). • Body-,facial-, and generational diversity were less portrayed. • Diverse models were frequently portrayed within a sexualization frame. • The empowerment frame significantly related to the presence of diverse models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectification scholarship highlights how traditional media portrayals oftentimes direct attention toward women's bodies and away from their faces which communicate important social information. This study sought to investigate how thin-ideal, white women's facial expression potentially attenuates the negative effects of appearing in a sexually objectifying manner using validated imagery. In a 2 × 3 between-subjects experiment (N = 1001 U.S. adult women; M age = 42.56, SD age = 12.72), portraits of women varied in their sexualization (non-sexualized vs. sexualized) and facial expression (neutral expression, low-intensity smiling, high-intensity smiling) to better understand how these factors influence dimensions of social cognition (competence, warmth, authenticity), self-promotional attributions, and viewers' own self-objectification. Results revealed that viewers rated sexualized (vs. non-sexualized) women lower in competence and authenticity, as well ascribed more self-promotional explanations for their behavior. Moreover, exposure to sexualized women heightened viewers' self-objectification, regardless of facial expression. Results also indicated that smiling intensity positively influenced viewers' ratings of social cognition. However, there is little evidence that smiling intensity overrides the negative effects of sexualization. Implications for the sexual objectification of women are discussed. • An experiment examined how sexualization and facial expression affect social judgments. • Sexualized (vs. non-sexualized) women were judged more harshly by other women. • Smiling intensity positively influenced viewers' ratings of social cognition. • Sexualized women heightened viewers' self-objectification, regardless of facial expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sexualized female pictures posted on Instagram lead to greater body dissatisfaction. • Appearance comments have no effect on body dissatisfaction. • Instagram addiction predicts greater cosmetic surgery intentions. • Instagram addiction moderates the condition's effects on cosmetic surgery intentions. Instagram is a visually centered social media that involves the presence of sexualized imagery posted by users. Such Instagram sexualization may have a negative impact on women's body image. The present study examined whether exposure to Instagram sexualization, namely posts of sexualized women along with appearance-related comments, affected women's body satisfaction and cosmetic surgery intentions. In doing so, it also considered the moderating role of Instagram Addiction Proclivity (IAP). Young Italian female participants (N = 247) were randomly exposed to one of four video conditions resulting from the combination of either sexualized or non-sexualized women's pictures on Instagram, paired with appearance or neutral comments. In the sexualized picture condition participants' body dissatisfaction increased compared to pre-exposure levels and to the non-sexualized picture condition. The type of comments did not affect participants' body satisfaction. Moreover, IAP predicted cosmetic surgery intentions and moderated their reactions to Instagram content. Indeed, the higher the IAP, the higher the cosmetic surgery intentions of participants viewing sexualized pictures with neutral comments and non-sexualized pictures with body appearance comments. These findings suggest that female Instagram users should be aware of the negative impacts of viewing sexualized imagery as well as the role that IAP may play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Body-positive images shared on social media can enhance positive body image. • We experimentally document how the beneficial effects of these images can be diminished. • Sexualized images led to more support of traditional beauty ideals and self-serving reasons. • Sexualized images also instigated other-objectification. • Images thought to be digitally modified were less effective and more negatively evaluated. The body positive movement on social media seeks to challenge narrow conceptualizations of beauty that media outlets traditionally perpetuate and reinforce. Through a 2 × 2 between-subjects online experiment, we examined how the nature and authenticity of body-positive imagery on social media affects female viewers and their evaluations of body-positive content (N = 425, M age = 35.47, SD age = 13.52). Specifically, participants viewed and reacted to a series of 10 body-positive images of women on social media varying in their degree of sexualization (sexualized vs. non-sexualized) and evidence of digital photo modifications (modification icons vs. no modification icons). A control group that featured landscape images was also included. Results indicate body-positive images that are considered sexualized and are believed to be digitally modified can undercut the movement's intended aims: Participants who viewed body-positive images that were sexualized (vs. non-sexualized) and included photo modification icons (vs. no modification icons) reported greater endorsement of traditional beauty ideals (e.g., thinness) and thought the images were shared for self-serving reasons (e.g., to gain likes/shares/endorsements); these relationships were mediated by the extent to which viewers believed these images were sexualized and digitally modified. Further, results indicate that sexualized body-positive images can instigate sexual objectification of others and oneself. Those who viewed control images (vs. experimental body-positive images) produced significantly fewer sexually objectifying words about others and themselves. Implications for both viewers and producers (e.g., individuals, corporations) of body-positive imagery on social media are discussed in light of objectification theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media platforms like Instagram enable users to share, view, and provide feedback on images, including photographs of oneself (e.g., selfies). In a 3 × 2 between-subjects online experiment, we investigated how women evaluate and react to photographs of their peers on social media and the role that feedback might play in both objectification of others and oneself. U.S. adult young women (N = 256; M age = 20.06, SD age = 1.57) viewed social media images of sexualized peers, non-sexualized peers, or landscapes (control). Then, they provided feedback on the images via social media hashtags (#) or not (tagging vs. no tagging). Results revealed that participants who viewed sexualized peers demonstrated the highest levels of state self-objectification and were more likely to dehumanize the women in the photos. Hashtags generated by participants indicated that those who viewed sexualized peers engaged in greater appearance-related objectification, specifically related to body parts, and sexual objectification than those who viewed non-sexualized peers. In addition, generating hashtags that specifically focused on body parts heightened viewers' state self-objectification. These findings illustrate the complexities of social media content production and consumption, particularly for young women. • We experimentally tested how women react to sexualized peers on social media. • Exposure to sexualized peers on social media heightened viewers' self-objectification. • Viewers dehumanized sexualized peers on social media to the greatest extent. • Sexualized peers received more appearance-related and sexually-objectifying hashtags. • Appearance-related hashtags given to sexualized peers specifically focused on body parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the interplay of race and gender in shaping the journeys of Asian female digital nomads who navigate the realms of travel and work simultaneously, through the lens of post-colonial feminism. Through our qualitative exploration, we contend that prevailing discourses constrain understandings of Asian women's lived experiences. While our respondents' narratives align with existing knowledge, our original contribution lies in our nuanced examination of the intersecting power dynamics of gender and race. These women's accounts highlight the pervasive influence of internalized racism, sexualized and racialized hegemonic norms, and the differential treatment of Westerners within digital nomadism. These revelations challenge idealized portrayals of digital nomadism, revealing the racial and gender-based discrimination that these Asian women confront on their journeys. [Display omitted] • Explores critical drivers shaping Asian women digital nomads' travel experiences • Employs post-colonial feminist standpoint • Critiques western feminist and mobilities discourses of digital nomadism • Argues extant explorations of digital nomads are gender and racially blind • Presents intersectionality to acknowledge the diversity of female experiences [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breastfeeding is universally recognized because it provides health benefits to both mothers and infants, reducing infant mortality and morbidity. Despite the recommendations of the World Health Organization and a large number of national health bodies in the Western world, breastfeeding rates, especially those up to six months, remain lower in Romania than those recommended and may vary across cultures and communities. The discomfort caused by the idea of breastfeeding in public was mentioned in the present study as a reason why some women choose not to practice breastfeeding or they choose to shorten the duration of this process. When they choose not to breastfeed their baby while in public is because the female breast is frequently associated with a sexual organ and, therefore, it designates a private part of the body, which must remain invisible to the public (Newman, 2009). The research focused on the gender and education level differences in the social perception of public breastfeeding. Recently, this topic has generated many debates in the online environment, and especially on social networks, which led me to conduct a sociological survey in order to discover the essence of these controversies, while testing the validity of the arguments on which my research was based. The sociological survey has been applied on a sample of 100 Romanian women and 100 Romanian men, aged between 20 and 60, and the data collected were analyzed based on the interpretive model, which enabled us to formulate observations and conclusions on this topic. Among the recurring reasons discovered during the analysis were the following: physical and task management related difficulties, specific to the modern woman who is forced to integrate the process of breastfeeding and raising the child within her daily activities; the factors conventionally called ‛activators’, which represent the set of elements that contribute psychologically to this process, thus influencing the mother's perception of breastfeeding in general and breastfeeding in public in particular; the involvment of the family and, last but not least, the public health system in Romania. To these, socio-cultural factors are added, such as society’s perspective on breastfeeding in general and the perception of individuals who witness the act of breastfeeding in public spaces in particular, which directly influence women’s self-image from a dual perspective: the position of a woman as an independent entity, engaged in a socio-professional dynamic and that of a mother, often in this position for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Información y Comunicación is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Española de Sociología is the property of Federacion Espanola de Sociologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mass Communication Research is the property of Guoli Zhengzhi Daxue Xinwenxue Yanjiusuo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fail videos showing mishaps/accidents are very popular on YouTube. But is this genre affected by sexism, that is, are women portrayed more often than men in an objectifying, sexualized manner in the video clips (H1), and are women more likely than men to be the target of gendered online hate speech in the video comments (H2)? Quantitative content analyses of 500 video clips (derived from 50 videos) and of 1,000 video comments (derived from 5 "male" and 5 "female" videos) from YouTube's most popular fail video channel FailArmy were conducted. Women in fail videos were portrayed in an objectifying, sexualized manner twice as often (H1), and were the target of gendered hate comments nearly five times more often (H2) compared to men. Future research could analyze videos and comments from additional fail channels and investigate the reasons for the sexualized portrayals as well as for the audience's hateful reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on 91 pornography-related submissions sent by young Finns to a moderated question and answer forum on sexual health, this article explores the personal narratives of adolescents on pornography use. Special attention is given to the submissions by girls to explore the widely circulated narratives on the sexualization of adolescence more precisely. In focusing on these accounts of sexual exploration, learning and the pursuit of pleasure, the article examines how girls’ interests in sexually explicit media can be reflexively understood in the context of everyday sexual practices that are already socially constructed and negotiated. The material reveals that Finnish girls depict themselves as invested with substantial agency, competence and volition despite the occasional gender-specific anxieties that their encounters with pornography have created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that the sexualization of girls has increased and become more explicit in recent years. However, most of the research conducted to date has focused on sexualization in adults. To address this research gap, this study explored how young Australian girls respond to and describe sexualized and non-sexualized depictions of their peers. Results from 42 girls aged 6–11 years revealed that sexualization was a perceptually salient attribute, with participants readily classifying sexualized girls as a subgroup. Participants also made distinct trait attributions based on the differences between sexualized and non-sexualized girls. The results suggest that young girls respond differently to sexualized and non-sexualized depictions of their peers and are beginning to develop stereotypes based on these depictions. As such, the implementation of media literacy programs in adolescence may be too late and efforts may be required to address this issue among younger children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite widespread public concern about the early sexualization of young girls, as yet there has been little empirical examination of potential negative effects. In the present study a sample of 300 6–9 year-old girls completed individual interviews assessing exposure to sexualized media, internalization of sexualized messages (measured via preference for sexualized clothing), and body image attitudes (body esteem, body dissatisfaction). Exposure to sexualized media was found to be correlated with internalization of sexualization messages, itself correlated with negative body image. The findings provide preliminary evidence that sexualized messages appear to be internalized by very young girls which, in turn, has negative implications for how they feel about their bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies combining cross-sectional and daily experience methods tested whether watching sexualizing reality television is associated with self-objectification in women. In Study 1, an online survey of 495 undergraduate women, we demonstrated that watching sexualizing reality television was associated with higher levels of trait self-objectification. In Study 2, an online daily experience study of 94 undergraduate women, we extended the results from Study 1 by focusing on state self-objectification and showed that changes in daily exposure to sexualizing reality television correspond to fluctuations in the importance participants attached to appearance, but were unrelated to the importance attached to body-competence. The results of these two studies with multiple methods provide support for the influence of exposure to sexualizing reality television to the development of an objectified self-concept but also underline differences in how exposure to sexualizing reality television relates to trait and state self-objectification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Love relationships between black South African women and immigrant men have not been given adequate attention by researchers of migration, refugee studies, and those concerned with anti-immigrant attitudes and violence. In this paper, based on ethnographic research conducted in the Alexandra township of Johannesburg, South Africa in 2009, I argue that cross-border love relationships provoke sexual and racial jealousies between the two sets of manhood: South African and black African immigrant. These are eventually expressed in anti-immigrant violence, such as the events that occurred in May 2008 mainly perpetrated by men, exhibit characteristics of masculinisation, racialisation and sexualisation. Intermittent poverty and unemployment also play a role in this drama. Incidents of hatred based on competition for women and resultant resentment by men who lose out deepen. I contend that in order to fully comprehend this kind of violence, one needs to understand the dynamics of love relationships between black South African women and black African immigrant men and pervasive myths like immigrants stealing jobs and taking women, that are common in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that the sexualization of girls has increased markedly over time. The overall aim of the present study was to offer a description of the behaviours of young girls, with a particular focus on potentially sexualized behaviours and appearance concern. A sample of 815 mothers of 4–10 year-old girls completed a questionnaire about a range of behaviours exhibited by their daughters, in addition to measures of their own self-objectification and material concern. It was found that many girls engaged with teen culture and used a variety of beauty products, but few exhibited more overtly sexualized behaviours. Involvement with teen culture, using beauty products, attention to clothes, and personal grooming were all associated with the measure of appearance concern, as were maternal self-objectification and material concern. It was concluded that young girls do engage in ‘grown up’ behaviours and that such engagement is not benign for their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to emphasize sexually objectified portrayals of women in advertisements, the portrayal of women in advertisements, and advertising representations of identity. The current study extends past research by elucidating gender-based reactions to the use of gratuitous sexual appeals in advertising, advertisements that portray women as sex objects, representations of masculinity in contemporary advertising, and the production of meanings in advertising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] This review compares body image among collegiate female athletes to non-athletes. [•] More versus less competitive athletes might be at greater risk for BIC. [•] Athletes in feminine sports report at least similar levels of BIC as non-athletes. [•] Athletes in endurance sports appear to have better body image than non-athletes. [•] Research among athletes on how BIC is related to sexual objectification is lacking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Those who have examined tourism for India’s Northeast have primarily focused on issues of development. However, as a contested, postcolonial space, wherein multiple groups produce contending knowledge claims about political history and belonging, I examine the political implications of tourism for the Northeast. Specifically, I examine the histories offered within state-produced tourism websites for the seven states historically comprising the Northeast. I compare these to twelve corporate tourism websites for the Northeast. I argue that the state websites especially obscure competing knowledge claims and advance the hegemonic narrative of the nation. In doing so, they also reaffirm the state’s racialized, sexualized production of knowledge about the Northeast. Ultimately, a focus on the political underscores the complexity of tourism for complex, postcolonial spaces such as India’s Northeast. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This essay discusses challenges in teaching and learning about race, class, and gender in U.S. colleges and universities. A "post-ism" vs. "anti-ism" public dichotomy is growing. "Post-ism" refers to the idea that we are in a postracial, post-class, and/or post-gender moment in society where race, class, and gender are no longer barriers to educational achievement. The post-ism argument is that if race, gender, and class conversations are muted, then raceclass- and gender-related problems would subside. Strong counter-evidence suggests that we are far from this moment with regards to race, gender, and class. The theory of intersectionality provides a useful possibility to engage this debate and bridge differences on campuses. Moreover, a revised Declaration of Interdependence and an Intersection Day on American college campuses can be promising vehicles for promoting multiculturalism and intersectionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis reproduces both asexually (fissiparous) and sexually (oviparous) and can switch from the asexual mode to the sexual mode. By feeding with mature Bdellocephala brunnea oviparous worms , the fissiparous worms, which do not possess sexual organs, can be converted to fully sexualized worms in a process termed sexualization. As sexualization proceeds, the sexual organs are formed uniformly and five stages (stages 1-5) of the process have been identified histologically. In order to clarify the sexualization process, we attempted to isolate the genes expressed specifically at stage 5 by the differential display method. We isolated five genes expressed in the testis and two genes expressed in the yolk gland, which is an organ specific to sexualized worms. By BLAST search, one of the testis-specific genes was coded as testis-specific α-tubulin and two yolk gland-specific genes are similar to ribose-phosphate pyrophosphokinase I and F-box/SPRY-domain protein 1. Drs1, Drs2 and Drs3 were expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids from the early stage of spermatogenesis and Drs4 and Drs5 were expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. These genes are useful markers for elucidating the sexualization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the term 'whore' is commonly directed at young women, and has, for this reason, been widely debated in the Swedish media and elsewhere. In the article, I focus on Latina girls' experiences of being called 'whores' in Sweden. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were used for generation of data. Their narratives are analysed from a perspective that highlights how gender and ethnicity intersect in this highly sexualized word. In my analysis, I explore the diverse meanings of the term 'whore: and how discursive categories such as 'immigrants' and 'Swedes' are elaborated. The study suggests that meanings of the term 'whore' shift within a multiplicity of relationships and contexts and might, among other things, be associated with toughness. In conclusion, while women of diverse backgrounds are called 'whores: the connotations of the term depend on how this sexualized issue interacts with local constructions of ethnicity and femininity. These different constructions also shape the girls' possibilities of negotiating their subject positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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