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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Term sheim or shame entered our lives quite imperceptibly, but quickly won its place in modern conversational culture. We hear it everywhere: in Internet discussions, on television shows, in conversations with friends. However, let's figure out where it came from, what it really means, and why the concept of «sheim» has become so popular.
Origin of the word
Shame comes from English and translates as «shame». In turn, the English word shame rooted in the ancient Germanic word skam, which also means «shame». This is an emotional feeling that occurs when a person feels that he has done something shameful or inappropriate to social norms.
However, the modern use of the term goes far beyond its original meaning. If earlier shame was a private experience, today sheim increasingly becoming a public weapon, especially in social networks.
What are shamites?
The concept of «shamity» (from English to shame) has become an important part of modern online culture. It is an action to make someone feel guilty or ashamed of their behavior, appearance, thoughts, or actions. You can make a joke for anything: for choosing clothes, for a political position, for eating habits or even for personal preferences.
In practice, it looks like this: someone publishes a photo or text that does not meet the norms of a certain group of people, and immediately receives a wave of negative comments or even harassment in order to show that his actions or appearance are wrong. A kind of digital court of the public is emerging, where everyone can be both a prosecutor and a convicted person.
The kind of shaming: how shame changes the world
You can sew according to various criteria, and over time the term began to acquire certain nuances:
Fat-shaming - denouncing or mocking a person because of his weight. Usually applies to overweight people who receive criticism for their appearance.
Slut-shaming - criticizing or disparaging women for their sexual behavior or appearance. This social phenomenon supports double standards in relation to sexual morality.
Mom-shaming - criticizing women for their methods of raising children. From how to feed a baby to when a woman returns to work, any aspect can become the object of shaming.
Body-shaming - condemnation of any physical characteristics of a person, from weight to features of appearance, such as growth or skin color.
In fact, shaming can take many forms, from subtle criticism to overt aggression.
Shame as a weapon and his influence
Interestingly, the sheim as a phenomenon is bilateral. On the one hand, it is a tool of pressure on people, forcing them to adapt to the norms of society or even just a separate group. On the other hand, it is a way of expressing oneself and even exposing injustice.
Remember the famous cases of public shaming famous people. In many cases where someone commits an immoral act, the public reacts quickly, and then the shaming process is aimed at forcing the person to correct their behavior. For example, the #MeToo movement has proven to be a powerful wave of revelations and shaming of people who engaged in sexual harassment. In such cases, the sheim acts as a social sanction that helps society cleanse itself of injustice.
However, there is another side to the coin - excessive shaming can destroy people emotionally. Constant pressure on social networks can lead to depression, anxiety states and even more serious mental problems. Each medal has two sides.
Sheim and Ukrainian culture
Concepts in the Ukrainian Internet space sheima it is actively used mainly by young people who are participants in global digital trends. However, our cultural characteristics also play a role. Our sheim can acquire national shades, in particular when it comes to political or social issues.
For example, shame can be used as a form of public condemnation of people for their political views or participation in certain actions. This form of pressure is not always constructive, but it becomes part of an active citizenship.
Is the sheim so bad?
Like any form of criticism, shaim must be used with caution. It is important to remember that people are different, and sometimes what seems to you «is correct» can be very painful for another. Any pressure can have both positive and negative consequences, and it is up to us how we use this tool.
After all, shamites are not just about pointing out other people's mistakes, but also about taking responsibility for what you condemn and being ready for dialogue.
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