Jewish-American princess

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Jewish-American Princess or JAP is a pejorative characterization of a subtype of Jewish-American women. The term implies materialistic and selfish tendencies, attributed to a pampered background, and similar stereotypes exist in other countries with Jewish populations, including the United Kingdom^{[citation needed]}, Australia, South Africa and Canada. The term was coined by Herman Wouk.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Antisemitism 2 Sexism and violence 3 Discrimination 4 Prevalence 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 External links

[edit] Antisemitism

The stereotype is often (though not always) the basis for anti-Semitic jokes both inside and outside the Jewish community.^[1] In recent years the term has been re-appropriated by some Jewish women as a term of cultural identity, especially in areas with high density Jewish populations. The term "JAP" has been used by some women in order to be identified as privileged. This manner can be offensive as it attempts to reinforce the stereotype.

[edit] Sexism and violence

The term "Jewish-American Princess" has been criticized for its sexist basis,^{[citation needed]} and for pejoratively branding young adult Jewish-American women as spoiled and materialistic.^[2] While the full phrase and acronym is occasionally used wryly by Jews of both sexes as a term of Judaism, the acronym itself is considered at best fashionably vulgar if not degrading. T-shirts with the message "SLAP-A-JAP" and the stereotypical image of ethnically Jewish-American women may have been considered briefly fashionable in the early 90s.^[3] In the late 80s a Syracuse University professor of sociology, Dr. Gary Spencer, noted areas on his campus that students declared "JAP-free zones." He also noted a sporting incident on campus where fans heckled women by yelling "JAP! JAP! JAP!"^[4] Spencer also mentions the "verbal violence" against Jewish women during a college fair at Cornell University where signs read, "Make her prove she's not a JAP, make her swallow." In the Cornell University student newspaper, a cartoon went on to offer advice on how to "exterminate" JAPs.^[5]

[edit] Discrimination

When researching the stereotype Jill Gregorie noted significant prejudicial and discriminatory actions toward Jewish women who fit the "JAP" stereotype, noting one woman on a college campus who went so far as to avoid contact with perceived JAPs at all. Gregorie cites one college student as saying: "If I see them in an elevator, I always wait for the next one."^[6] Alana Newhouse of the Boston Globe also noted housing ads on college campuses that warned No JAPs^[7]

[edit] Prevalence

Research has found significant levels of JAP-baiting in educational settings throughout the US.^[8] Still almost all identified incidents have fallen short of the legal definition of a hate crime.^[9] There also seems to be a lesser degree of data and research-driven knowledge concerning the extent of its usage within the broader public sphere.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] See also

• Ethnic slurs
• Jewish mother stereotype
• Black American Princess
• Materialism
• Jewish feminism
• South African slang usage

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

• Dictionary definition
• The Return of the JAP
• Monica Lewinsky
• The Jewish-American Princess and Other Myths: The Many Faces of Self-Hatred (Hardcover)
• This girl is such a JAP.
• Can we please not revive that ugly stereotype?
• From 'Kike to JAP': How misogyny, anti-Semitism and racism construct the Jewish-American Princess. Beck, Evelyn Torton, Margaret Andersen & Patricia Hill Collins (Eds.) Race, Class, and Gender. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 87-95. 1992
• Celebrating the Lives of Jewish Women: Patterns in a Feminist Sampler,Canadian Jewish Women and their Experiences of Antisemitism and Sexism, by NORA GOLD, edited by Rachel Josefowitz Siegel & Ellen Cole (Haworth, 1997).
• JAP RAP
• JAP FOR A DAY
• Style Network Casts for "JAP Squad".
• When jokes are not funny
• Jewish Women Campaign Against 'Princess' New York Times, September 7,1987