Why it’s time to ditch the term WAG

REBECCA Judd is a speech pathologist, TV presenter and model.

Nadia Bartel? A businesswoman, blogger and stylist.

Terry Biviano was a successful shoe designer and Jodi Gordon a Logie-winning actor, well before they even met their husbands Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta.

Jesinta Campbell, who on the weekend married AFL star Buddy Franklin, is a model, presenter and David Jones ambassador.

And yet, when you hear all of these famous names, the first word that probably pops into your mind is “WAG”.

Even Lara Bingle wasn’t immune — despite being one of Australia’s biggest celebrities in her own right, while she was dating Michael Clarke, article after article would refer to her as little more than “Australia’s most famous WAG”.

That’s because for years now, we’ve insisted on reducing the wives and girlfriends of male athletes to their relationship status alone.

Well, I’m calling it — it’s time for the word to go.

Because weren’t we supposed to have left behind that kind of rubbish in the 50s? You know, the kind of rubbish that saw society categorising and judging women by their relationship status, and not by their own personalities and achievements?

And let’s not forget the negative connotations that come with the word — think WAG, and you probably imagine an attention-seeking, designer-handbag-toting fake tan addict who spends her days doing little more than being her partner’s arm candy and spending his fortune.

In reality though, that stereotype is bulls**t.

The women mentioned above — plus countless other impressive, well-rounded and intelligent women who just happen to love male athletes — are not shallow opportunists.

They’re busy getting on with their own successful careers. They’re busy raising children. They’re busy supporting a range of charities, getting degrees, and pursuing their own interests.

In fact, the so-called “WAGs” themselves often speak publicly about the offensiveness of the word.

Media personality and charity ambassador Zoe Marshall, who is married to footballer Benji Marshall, has previously slammed the term as “tacky and offensive,” while Jodi Gordon has also gone on the record saying it was “inappropriate” to label women with the tag.

Clearly, these women have had enough — and it’s not at all surprising.

Because the truth is, the word is derogatory. It’s patronising. And in 2016, it’s completely unacceptable to demean and pigeonhole women based on who they are dating.

Don’t believe me?

If you doubt my argument, can you imagine a world that referred to Enrique Iglesias as a HAB (Husband and Boyfriend) because he happens to be dating Anna Kournikova?

Didn’t think so.

Alexis Carey is a Sydney-based journalist who is currently travelling the globe. You can follow her travels on Instagram @the_gap_year

Originally published as Why it’s time we ditched this word