The Problem With The Body Count Question & Why It's Nobody's Business
As a chronic serial dater, I have always loathed those typical "getting to know you questions".
You know, the:
"What do you like?"
"What are you looking for?"
"What do you do for fun?"
"What do you do for work?"
Etc. Etc. Etc.
But the one I hated the most was:
"What's your body count?"
tiffany pollard drinking GIFGiphy
Yes, like some of you out there, I've had many a guy ask me that damn dumb-ass question. Some were even so bold as to question me about it as early as the first or second date. And not that I was trying to hide anything from anyone, but I'm sorry, the number of people who I have slept with was none of theirs or anyone else's business. And to be quite honest, no matter the response, it would never be right.
If the number was too low, it was interpreted as me being inexperienced. If it was too high, I was considered a freak, loose, or a hoe.
I can recall dating one guy who often liked to question me about my sexual history. He wanted to know everything from if I had been with women, if I was down for a threesome, and of course, how many men I had been with prior to him. And whenever I asked why, he would always say that he "just wanted to know".
Lies.
yeah right girl please GIF by buzzfeedladylikeGiphy
I then followed up by asking how many partners were too many, to which he replied that anything over 25 makes you a hoe. Then, he said that although he didn't make the rules, that's just how it is. So I simply told him that while I would not confirm or deny whether my number was over or under 25, I have not, am not, and will never be anybody's hoe.
Nevermind the fact that if a man has a high body count, he is praised. But for us girls, it is deeply frowned upon, and oftentimes leaves us open to criticism, and not just from the men. Unfortunately, women do their fair share of judging and can be some of the biggest critics.
It's a shame how we do our fellow women sometimes, but I digress.
Now, I can understand having an open and honest dialogue regarding the history of your sexual health. You and your partner should be informed of each other's STI/HIV status, if either of you contracted anything in the past, and the date of your most recent check. But as far as the number of partners, that is very personal and should only be shared if and when YOU feel like discussing it. Not because someone "just wants to know".
Because chances are, in my opinion, whoever is asking either:
- Has serious insecurities within themselves.
- Looking for something to hold over your head.
- Wants to use your body count as a way to determine your value, morals, and/or slut-shame you.
All of which no one has time for.
Also, at this stage in the game, with most of us being women of a certain age, I'm pretty sure that we've all lived a little. So any number that we have, regardless of how high or low, is pretty much expected and has nothing to do with who we are deep down on the inside.
In short, ladies, please stop letting these guys or anyone else for that matter determine your worth based on your number of sexual partners. And please, feel free to walk away from anyone who dares to question you about it in the first place. Because at the end of the day, however many people you've been with and how often you were with them is a best-kept secret that is to remain between you and your body.
And anyone who has something to say can simply kiss your beautiful ass. Have fun, be safe, and let your freak flag fly!
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Racquel Coral is an experienced lifestyle writer focusing on self-love, growth, body positivity, and profiles of Black-owned businesses and community heros. Her work can be found here, and she can be found on all social media platforms @withloveracquel.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Tyler James Williams Explains Why His And Quinta Brunson 'Abbott Elementary' Characters Should Remain Friends
While Abbott Elementary fans are hoping that Janine and Gregory end up together, the show’s star has another take. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory on the Emmy award-winning sitcom, and he recently stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show to share his point of view on his storyline with Janine, which Quinta Brunson plays.
“I hate to say it. I know that everybody’s always mad at me for this. I don’t necessarily want to see them together,” he revealed. “It’s partially an actor’s choice, but also somebody who, like, I read a lot of scripts all the time. I watch a lot of TV, a lot of film. I don’t think that we see displays of platonic love between two people often. I think it’s really easy to go right to they have feelings for each other, therefore they should be together. I like this dynamic of exploring withholding that and just actively loving each other where they are. That I like to see more.”
If you recall, they were co-workers who became friends but were secretly crushing on each other. They’ve had many awkward run-ins during and after school, like the unforgettable club scene where they were dancing nervously with each other in season one, and in season two, they finally kiss. However, it only made things even more awkward, and they decided to just be friends. Tyler further explained why he thinks it’s important to showcase that type of relationship on screen.
“I think it’s time for that. I think TV allows people to see things that could be their lives for the first time, and I think seeing a healthy friendship that is deeply caring about one another in a work atmosphere needs to be shown more than the relationship,” he concluded.
Abbott Elementary comes on every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
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