Is Rice Purity Test Shaming Women? Controversy Explained
The rice purity test is designed to measure your purity or impurity. The test is often taken as a playful game but also spreads harmful stereotypes about women.
At first, the test was given to only women at Rice University to gauge how risky their female population was. It often resulted in shaming women with scores below 70 were often viewed as immoral, whereas those with scores above 90 as pure.
It can be entertaining to take the Rice Purity Test, but also contributing to a culture of shame and stigma, particularly for women. The obsession of our culture with virginity and purity is entirely out of hand. Women are unfairly judged and shamed by the rice purity quiz.
It’s time to take a closer look at the rice purity test and its impact on women.
But we would not stop here. We will also explore alternative ways of thinking about purity. How can we create a culture that values and respects women and their choices?
Why is the Rice purity test problematic?
First, this post will tell why you think that the rice purity test is sometimes problematic. Before taking the test, understanding the problems is very important.
- It promotes harmful messages
- It highlights the idea that individuals should feel ashamed rather than celebrate the diversity
- It creates unhealthy and unrealistic standards
- It can be a tool for bullying others
- It promotes the idea that women’s body should be controlled and judged by society
How the Rice Purity Test Shames Women?
The Rice purity test is shaming women in different ways.
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Drinking habits:
Some questions of the Rice purity test indicate women are “bad” drinkers, which can contribute to a culture of gender-based discrimination.
Women who drink alcohol feel a greater sense of shame than men.
Which type of alcohol do you prefer to drink? Have you ever drunk before your kids?
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Addiction of Drugs:
Rice purity tests can support harmful ideas about women being more susceptible to drugs and tobacco products than men that can contribute to a culture of stigma and shame for women.
Have you bought or sold drugs?
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Smoking:
Women who smoke can be shamed and stigmatized for their behavior, which results in guilt, shame, and low self-esteem.
While on the other hand, men can enjoy smoking anytime and anywhere.
Smoking is not a big deal for men.
Have you ever smoked cigarettes outside?
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Pregnancy:
Women who become pregnant before marriage or who choose to have an abortion can be shameful, which can lead to a sense of fear, insecurity, and low self-esteem. Also, check the Rice Purity Test Meaning.
Some questions can be very offensive. Sometimes women are forced to get pregnant after marriage in Asian countries. Pregnancy is a choice of every woman.
Have you ever been on birth control? Have you ever had an abortion?
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Domestic abuse:
Women who experience domestic abuse can be disgraceful for their situation, which results in guilt, isolation, and fear. Abused women are labeled as idiots or stupid for staying in abusive relationships.
Have your husband abused you? Have you ever been in a relationship where you felt unsafe or threatened?
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Body image:
Women who don’t follow traditional beauty standards can be humiliated for their appearance, which results in poor self-confidence, anxiety, and eating disorders. Body shaming is bullying or harassment of women. It can be Fat shaming, skinny shaming, or age shaming.
Have you ever joined the gym to lose your fat? Have you ever visited a dermatologist to shape your nose? Have your body changed after giving birth?
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Sexual harassment or assault:
Women who have experienced sexual harassment or assault also feel shame, which results in anger and frustration, loss of trust in others, depression, hopelessness, shock, and disbelief.
Have you ever been catcalled or harassed on the street?
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Career choices:
Women, who choose to hunt careers that are traditionally male-dominated, can be shamed for their choices, which can lead to a sense of injustice or unfairness, social isolation, or exclusion.
Have you ever felt that your gender has limited your opportunities or potential?
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Parenting:
Women who want to become parents at a young age can face judgment for their choices and are also the main targets of society.
If a girl chooses to be a single parent in our society, it can be a challenging task. No one wants to offer a house.
Have you had your first child in your teenage?
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Gender roles:
Gender roles can be harmful and shameful for women. Women should be caregivers and homemakers. The rice purity test believes that women are less competent than man. The test can promote traditional gender roles that women should be chaste and sexually inexperienced.
Have you ever lied to your parents about where you were going? Have you ever been arrested by the police?
- You should know that everyone has the right to make their own choices.
Impacts of Rice purity test on the mental health of women?
Rice purity tests can be shameful as much to impact your mental health. Women are more vulnerable than men. Shaming women for any reason is dangerous for mental health and well-being.
There are many mental health and psychological issues that women can experience, including:
Depression and anxiety:
Women experience depression and anxiety more than men, which can be due to the followig factors.
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Trauma
- Social and Cultural factors
Eating disorders:
Women develop eating disorders more than men, such as anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorder. These disorders can be due to the following factors
- Body image issues
- Trauma
Trauma and PTSD
Women experience trauma and develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can be due to the following by a variety of factors
- Sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Other forms of abuse
Substance abuse and addiction
Women develop more substance abuse and addiction issues than women. It can be due to the Stress and trauma
Reproductive health issues
Women may experience reproductive health issues like menstrual disorders, infertility, and menopause. These issues can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being.
The Rice Purity Test and Sexual Double Standards
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Sexual experience
This double standard can contribute to a culture of sexism and gender-based discrimination.
According to this, men are “players” or “studs” if they have had multiple sexual partners, while women may be labeled as “sluts” or “immoral.”
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Sexual consent
This double standard can contribute to a culture of victim blaming and rape.
According to this the women are responsible for preventing sexual assault or harassment, while men are not responsible to the same standard. Also, check the Celebrity Purity Score.
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Sexual behavior
This double standard can contribute to a culture of sexism and gender-based violence.
According to this men are more sexually aggressive or dominant than women.
From shame to empowerment: Redefining Purity in the 21st Century
Shift your focus from shame and judgment to empowerment and self-care. We can encourage women to make choices that are safe, healthy, and fulfilling for them.
Adapt these following alternative ways to rethink about purity or innocence. It helps to break all the shaming stereotypes and labels on women.
- Challenge the notion of “purity” itself.
- Promote gender equality
- Advocate for change
- Promote self-care practices
- Encourage women to speak out against harmful gender stereotypes
- Promote positive role models and examples of women who have achieved success
- Promote alternative approaches to measure personal growth
- Raising awareness about the negative impact of the test on women
- Supporting organizations that work to empower women
FAQs
Can I break the gendered stereotypes?
Yes, you can break gendered stereotypes by speaking about woman empowerment. You can also support organizations that promote healthy attitudes.
Is Rice purity test shaming for women only?
No, it can judge people of any gender. Women are more targeted than men, but it can be shameful for other genders.
How can I support my female friend who has been negatively impacted by the rice purity test?
It’s important to listen to her experiences and provide support without judgment. You can encourage her to seek help from counseling groups.
How can I challenge the rice purity test?
Educate yourself and others about the issues and harmful messages of the rice purity test. Challenging the rice purity test requires collective efforts to create an equitable society.
Is body shaming by the rice purity test a social issue?
Yes, body shaming by the rice purity test is a social issue because it may lead to suicide attempts, suicide due to body shaming is the fourth leading cause of death.
Closing Remarks
The rice purity test is a controversial topic that has sparked a lot of arguments. It is a playful viral internet game but sometimes it can be shameful for women. Fight with all the stereotypes and promote a culture of acceptance. Pure or un-pure, it doesn’t matter. Accept your flaws.
Keep in mind no survey can judge you.
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