Beth Montemurro, a distinguished sociology professor at Penn State, joins the conversation along with journalist Annie Atherton to dive into the intriguing world of bachelorette parties. They explore how these glitter-filled gatherings evolved from simple luncheons to elaborate weekend events. The discussion critiques their cult-like nature, examining themes of social pressure, consumerism, and the impact on friendships. Humor meets sociology as they tackle gender dynamics, emotional challenges, and the role of social media in transforming these celebrations into over-the-top experiences.
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Origins of Bachelorette Parties
Bachelorette parties are a relatively new social ritual that originated in the 1960s in the US and became institutionalized in the 1980s.
They parody bachelor parties and serve as a playful "last night of freedom" before marriage, often loaded with sexual humor and hazing elements.
insights INSIGHT
Friendship at Rituals' Core
Bachelorette and bridal shower rituals primarily celebrate female friendships and collective care.
Despite pressures, these events can be deeply transformative by strengthening bonds and showing appreciation among friends.
insights INSIGHT
Causes of Party Extravagance
The extravagant nature of bachelorette parties stems from social media, reality TV, and shifts in women's status and gender dynamics.
Multiple bridal showers and extended celebrations amplify status signaling and consumerist pressure around weddings.
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Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties dives into pre-wedding festivities, exploring the rituals, traditions, and social dynamics that surround these events. It examines the evolution of bridal showers and bachelorette parties, looking at their cultural significance and the ways in which they reflect changing gender roles and societal expectations. The book also investigates the commercial aspects of these celebrations, highlighting the role of the wedding industry in shaping and promoting certain trends and behaviors. It analyzes the interactions and power dynamics among the participants, including brides, bridesmaids, and other guests. Through in-depth research and real-life examples, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of bridal showers and bachelorette parties as modern cultural phenomena.
Word Slut
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A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language
Amanda Montell
Word Slut is a witty and insightful exploration of the complexities of language, particularly focusing on words that are often deemed offensive or taboo. Amanda Montell challenges societal norms and expectations surrounding language, arguing for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to word usage. The book examines the historical and cultural contexts of various words, demonstrating how their meanings and connotations have evolved over time. Montell encourages readers to reclaim words that have been weaponized against marginalized groups, promoting a more empowering and liberating relationship with language. Ultimately, Word Slut is a call for reclaiming language and using it as a tool for social justice and personal expression.
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Notes on Modern Irrationality
Amanda Montell
Cultish
The Language of Fanaticism
Amanda Montell
In 'Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism,' Amanda Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes in cults and cult-like groups lies in the use of language. The book delves into the verbal elements that make these communities 'cultish,' including the redefinition of words, euphemisms, and other linguistic tricks. Montell analyzes various groups such as Jonestown, Scientology, NXIVM, and even modern entities like SoulCycle and social media influencers, highlighting how these groups use language to create a sense of belonging and loyalty. The book is praised for its engaging narrative, original research, and incisive analysis of the power of language in shaping human behavior.
Matching satin robes. Bedazzled cowboy hats. A mysterious urgency to fly to Nashville and scream “Woooo!” from a pedal pub. This week, Amanda returns to one of the most glitter-drenched, mimosa-fueled cults in the modern social landscape: bachelorette parties, but this time, with Sociologist Beth Montemurro and journalist Annie Atherton to help us dissect how these pre-wedding rituals evolved from quaint luncheons to weekend-long rites of passage that often feel more obligatory than fun. Why do so many people feel spiritually compelled to wear matching t-shirts and cry in a hot tub? What does this highly curated “last hurrah” say about gender, capitalism, and the mythology of marriage itself? Grab your sashes and your emotional baggage—we’re diving deep into the psychological groupthink, identity performance, and pastel-colored chaos of this culty little tradition.
Sounds Like A Cult 
