Babe With The Power — Stigmas

If you’re on social media these days, you might be hearing more about “bimbos” or “bimbofication.” Furthermore, you might have even heard of “himbos” and “thembos.”

This year, there’s been a surge of people - mostly among Generation Z - calling themselves Tik Tok Bimbos. You might be familiar with this if you follow creators like @chrissychlapecka, @fauxrich, @griffinmaxwellbrooks and @balarotten. These Tik Tokers are comedians and give life advice, makeup tutorials and more. Check out their content if you don’t follow them already!

The Dumb Blonde Stereotype

If you know what the word “bimbo” means, you might be wondering why anyone would want to be called that. According to Urban Dictionary, a bimbo is a “physically attractive but unintelligent woman.” Thus, “bimbofication” is the process of becoming hot, and therefore less intelligent. 

Obviously, the term bimbo is sexist because it implies that all hot women are dumb, and smart women aren’t hot. This term further objectifies women by downplaying their intelligence and accomplishments. 

Tik Tok’s Bimbo Movement

The term bimbo has long been used by men to define women based on their looks. Now, Tik Tok Bimbos are taking the sexism out of the term, and turning it into a movement. They’re stopping men from judging women, femmes and LGBTQ+ people based on how they dress or act. 

Labels like this have stigmatized women’s dress, behavior and/or looks for centuries. Terms like “whore”, “slut” and “bitch” are also used to put women in a box and stigmatize our behavior. Check out Can You Be Desired AND Respected? for more on stigmatization of women’s sexuality.

When certain aspects of our lives are stigmatized, it makes it difficult for us to remove ourselves from the “single story” that men have created for us in their heads. These stigmas have real life consequences, too – in dating, careers, and all aspects of life.

What Bimbo Tik Tok Wants You To Know

Here’s what you’ll see if you’re following Tik Tok Bimbos:

• Being Hot: New age bimbos, himbos and thembos are becoming the sexiest version of themselves – not to please men or other people, but to make themselves happy.

• Sexy Outfits: You’ll see a lot of hot pink, crop tops and high heels. Everyone has their own style. You can be a goth bimbo, an ultra-femme bimbo, or a buff masculine himbo. 

• Human Rights: Today’s bimbos aren’t dumb – they are activists for human rights. They support LGBTQ people, Black Lives Matter, sex workers, etc. And they won’t be silent about their opinions. 

• Being Your Truest Self: Bimbos aren’t stupid, though they may forget things and be a bit ditzy. But that’s okay, because they own it, and love themselves anyways. They don’t judge others either.

Anyone can be a bimbo. Today’s bimbofication movement isn’t just for blonde white girls – the long-regarded reference to bimbos. Everyone is invited to be their hottest self – no matter their race, gender, disability or sexual orientation. 

Taking Back Sexist Labels

Tik Tok creators are taking back a term that was used to diminish smart, beautiful women for years. This paves way to reclaim more sexist terms – like hoe, slut and whore – and to get rid of the stigmas that go with them.

When we take back language that was previously used against us, we take the power away from the people who try to oppress us. We give them less room to insult us and shoot us down. We show them that we don’t care what we think. 

Bimbo Is Just The Start

Here are examples of ways you can reclaim other sexist terms and phrases:

• Bossy/Bitch: You’re assertive. You know what you want and you ask for it. 
• Slut: You like to show some skin, and what’s wrong with that. You’re hot! Flaunt what you’ve got. 
• Whore/Hoe: Why should you be ashamed of having sex? Good for you! Your body count and who you sleep with doesn’t define you. You can have sex with whoever you want!
• Walk of Shame: Don’t be ashamed of having sex. Blast the song “I Just Had Sex” as loud as you can while you leave your hookup and think “Walk of Fame” instead.

You get the picture. Don’t let sexist terms define you. Be a slut, whore and a bimbo. Dress how you want and have sex with who you want. Let’s strip away the stigmas from these words so they can’t be used against us anymore. We should be able to use these words to empower each other. 

Change with these terms won’t happen in a day, and it can be really difficult to take back hurtful words. As women, femmes and LGBTQ+ people reclaim these terms, we take back the power oppressors once had against us. We stop worrying about how men see us, and we are who we want to be. We can be hot and smart, and we don’t need anyone’s approval. 

So put on those heels, fishnets, crop tops, and lipstick. Be the hottest version of yourself- for you, not for the eyes of men.

About The Author

Veronica Mohesky is a University of Missouri graduate with a degree in Emerging Media Journalism. She graduated in December 2020 and works for a public television stations as a digital media associate. Veronica loves to report on sexual health issues and believes it is important to have conversations to de-stigmatize sex, pleasure and STIs. You can find her on instagram at @veronicamohesky13.