It may sound a bit strange, using an insult as a badge of pride. Today it is known, however, as a process called ‘reclamation’. A means by which marginalised group members consciously label themselves with words once used to hold them down. Doing this allows a sense of ownership of the self, something that's lost after facing years of oppression and prejudice. As a result, some slurs (partly) lose their negative meanings. In this three-part series I will explore how discriminating language evolves through time. To show you that language in general is not rigid, but continuously adapts to our changing views of others. This second article covers the N-word, as an example of racist slurs.

Prevention is better than cure. Most of us know that. We do our best to eat healthily, and exercise regularly to become as healthy as possible. In any capacity, we do our best to take care of ourselves, but we can't do everything alone. For example, as long as we feel good, we don't know whether there

Various autistic people have found ways around singling out as a minority to actively engage in global politics. In this blog post, I will discuss three autistic influencers: Greta Thunberg, Daryl Hannah and Temple Grandin. The term 'auti-influencers' will be used to refer to a global movement of people

Vagina crystals, yoni pearls, love eggs… it’s a thing. Sometimes they’re used to increase libido or to strengthen orgasms. Others use vagina crystals to strengthen their pelvic floor, balance their menstrual cycles or to alleviate PCOS symptoms. Sounds like there could be no harm

Lesbian women and gay men face negative bias when accessing the labour market. These biases negatively affect their employment probability and employer tenures. Social scientist Karel Fric researched the labour market experiences and outcomes of lesbian women and gay men in EU member states. With his

It may sound a bit strange, using an insult as a badge of pride. Today it is known, however, as a process called ‘reclamation’. A means by which marginalised group members consciously label themselves with words once used to hold them down. Doing this allows a sense of ownership of the self, something that's lost after facing years of oppression and prejudice. As a result, some slurs (partly) lose their negative meanings. In this three-part series I will explore how discriminating language evolves through time. To show you that language in general is not rigid, but continuously adapts to our changing views of others. This first article covers sexist language, in particular the term bitch.

The Netherlands is known for the way in which the maternity care system is organized. Unlike other western countries, the Netherlands has a culture in which pregnant people can choose where they want to give birth. Home birth is more common in the Netherlands than in any other western country. The ‘culture

When encountering someone, you automatically get an idea of how you will address them. Try to imagine it. By seeing certain facial or behavioral traits, your brain puts the one standing in front of you in a certain box. A box that is heavily colored by your frame of reference. That is how you know,

There is no place that is as safe as under the care of a doctor. Well, at least that's what we expect. It's also what we are promised: newly graduated doctors swear that they want the best for their patients and that they do everything they can to give them the care they deserve. To them, it doesn't

Imagine that you, as a mother, are struggling with a serious psychiatric disorder. Your children are no longer allowed to live at home with you. You would like to have another child and you even have wedding plans with your partner. Nevertheless, the judge decides that you are no longer allowed to have

Malawi has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. Fifty percent of the girls get married before turning 18. Theresa Kachindamoto is a senior tribal chief who is fighting to annull, and prevent, early child marriages in order to take girls back to school. Tribal leaders in

At a nightclub, a man offers a pretty blond woman a drink. She has obviously shown interest in him, but turns the drink down. He is confused - was she not interested? She then approaches him, frankly tells him that she's not thirsty…