Taboo. Even the very word can send shivers down your spine. Every society has its own unspoken rules about what taboo and what’s not, though many taboo subjects have traditionally been centered around women. For example, it used to be taboo to talk about abortion, sexual assault, and rape, which made life a lot harder for women who went through these things. Fortunately, today society is becoming more accepting and allowing both women and men to talk openly without the fear of being negatively labeled.
As the new year starts, let’s take a look at some things that used to be taboo but in 2020 are completely acceptable.
1. LGBTQ:
The expression “in the closet” came from the fact that LGBTQ people used to have to hide their identities. Today, the taboo of LGBTQ has all-but vanished, and in 2020, we’d like to see it vanish completely and be replaced with total pride.
2. Sexual practices:
It used to be taboo to discuss your sexual practices or preferences, but in today’s modern world it’s becoming more accepted. While it’s not considered dinner conversation, women don’t need to feel embarrassed to discuss these things with people they feel comfortable with.
3. Abortion:
In the old days, if a woman was in trouble, she could only speak about it in whispers until she somehow managed to find help, if she managed at all. Fortunately, abortion is no longer a taboo topic and women discuss it openly. This is empowering and gives them the option to control their own destiny.
4. Sexual assault:
Unfortunately, both are all too common. Thanks to a relatively new openness in society, women no longer need to suffer in silence.
5. Going Dutch:
Guys used to be the ones shelling out all the money on dates. Today, it’s totally acceptable to go Dutch, and men don’t need to be embarrassed about splitting the check.
6. Drug addiction:
People who had drug addiction or family members with drug addiction used to sweep it under the table. Today, more people are talking about it because they realize that covering it up won’t help anyone.
7. Having a child outside of marriage:
Another thing that used to be spoken about only in whispers, but today, having a child outside of marriage is pretty common. In fact, many celebrities choose this route, including Sandra Bullock, Minnie Driver, Mindy Kaling, and Kate Moss.
8. Girls asking a guy out:
There used to be very prim and proper rules in the dating scene, with guys and girls playing specific roles. Today, there are no rules and women and men are equally empowered to ask each other out.
9. Domestic violence:
In the past, women who experienced domestic violence were expected to keep quiet about it. Today, society knows better, and there are plenty of organizations dedicated to helping women escape these situations. Talking about it is encouraged because silence only gives power to the abusers.
10. Menstruation:
Women used to only talk about this amongst themselves; it was considered a dirty topic among a mixed crowd. Today, with proper sex education, men and women don’t need to be embarrassed to talk about the physiological process that happens to a woman’s body. It’s just natural.
11. Interracial couples:
Interracial couples were almost unheard of 50 years ago,
but today they are more common and accepted.
Not only are they accepted, but they are lauded as evidence of society’s diminishing racial tensions.
12. Premarital sex:
Sex before marriage used to be considered a scandalous topic and was only spoken about between good friends. Today, sex before marriage is common and high schools are required to provide sexual education classes to teenagers.
13. Keeping your maiden name:
Many women like to take their husbands’ names after they get married, but others prefer not to, either for social, professional, or ideological reasons. Today, it’s totally acceptable. Just take a look at all the strong celebrity women who have kept their own names.
Breaking Taboos, Improving Lives
Most things that were previously taboo and are currently not have only served to improve American society, especially for women. Whereas certain subjects used to be kept hush-hush, today women can talk about their experiences and go out and do things without the fear of being looked down upon. For society as a whole, the more we talk about things out in the open, the more we can help those going through a tough time. Here’s to a 2020 filled with acceptance, kindness, and the breaking of even more taboos.
