'Street' Harassment and Bullying

[arthwollipot]

“Hey, I’m hungry. Come satisfy my appetite!” yelled a man, laughing with his buddies in their car. Their target? A 12-year-old girl, walking to school. “You got great legs, baby!” a man in his 40s said to a 15-year-old girl as she waited on the subway platform, dressed in her school uniform. “You, in the white, turn around,” a man shouted at a 13-year-old-girl as she walked with her mother down the street. He wanted to get a better look at her.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary...of-women-It-s-a-bigger-problem-than-you-think

Think it isn't a problem? Think again.

 

[qayak]

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary...of-women-It-s-a-bigger-problem-than-you-think

Think it isn't a problem? Think again.

I didn't find the article too convincing. More alarmist than anything.

Fathers, brothers, uncles, and friends need to stop trying to bond with other men through objectifying, harassing, and raping women.

I wonder how many fathers, brothers, uncles and friends bond with each other by raping women?

And just because men have the ability to access girls’ and women’s bodies through pornography, strip clubs, mail order brides, and brothels, doesn’t mean that they should.

Technically, men can only access women's bodies through all these.

 

[qayak]

Okay, I just had to comment on this one:

Finally, we need to change the society that lets street harassment occur. We must challenge comments, forms of media, and policies that disrespect and discriminate against women. We must challenge all gender-based violence and harassment; it’s all interrelated.

This from the Christian Science Monitor. That group of mythologists who follow one of the most misogynistic, gender-based violence and harassment filled texts ever written?

 

[Bikewer]

I'd be more concerned about actual attacks. Last week, an elderly Vietnamese man was beaten to death and his wife severely injured by an attack by four young people.
In typical fashion, the youths seemed unaware that there was video covering the area...
When arrested, one of the 18-year old perpetrators told police they were playing "The Beat-Up Game".
Apparently, they just picked victims at random to attack. Usually of a different race....

 

[bookitty]

And just because men have the ability to access girls’ and women’s bodies through pornography, strip clubs, mail order brides, and brothels, doesn’t mean that they should.

Technically, men can only access women's bodies through all these.

Well, that and friendly one-night stands, dating, and marriage. So, technically, you're leaving out an entire range of consensual, mutually enjoyable activities.

Also, the Christian Science Monitor is a secular newspaper that has nothing to do with Christian Science.

 

[Cleon]

Okay, I just had to comment on this one:



This from the Christian Science Monitor. That group of mythologists who follow one of the most misogynistic, gender-based violence and harassment filled texts ever written?

Despite the name, CSM is by and large a secular publication.

 

[bookitty]

I'd be more concerned about actual attacks. Last week, an elderly Vietnamese man was beaten to death and his wife severely injured by an attack by four young people.
In typical fashion, the youths seemed unaware that there was video covering the area...
When arrested, one of the 18-year old perpetrators told police they were playing "The Beat-Up Game".
Apparently, they just picked victims at random to attack. Usually of a different race....

I agree that actual attacks are awful. Criminal brutality, especially against victims as helpless as the elderly is a horrific crime and it needs to be addressed.

However, life isn't either/or. You don't have to decide to address street harassment or actual attacks. You can look at both of them. If you think that street harassment is so trivial that it is better to discuss attacks, you could even start a thread about attacks.

 

[Takeover]

Well, that and friendly one-night stands, dating, and marriage. So, technically, you're leaving out an entire range of consensual, mutually enjoyable activities.

If I understood qayak, he meant that men can access only women's bodies, not those of girls/minors.

 

[bookitty]

If I understood qayak, he meant that men can access only women's bodies, not those of girls/minors.

Yes, upon re-reading it, you are right. I completely read that the wrong way. My apologies to gayak.

 

[qayak]

Yes, upon re-reading it, you are right. I completely read that the wrong way. My apologies to gayak.

No need to apologize.

Also, the Christian Science Monitor is a secular newspaper that has nothing to do with Christian Science.

From the article: "We must challenge all gender-based violence and harassment; it’s all interrelated."

Just doing what they feel I must!

I think this could be an interesting discussion though. At what point does it become harassment? The whole point of fashion, of which clothing, accessories, hair style, makeup, etc., are included, is to draw attention and comment. At what point does it go from comment to harrassment?

My wife will notice a guy dressed up, looking sharp, and comment on it. Is that harassment? She isn't commenting because she is going to go out and buy the outfit. She is commenting because she finds the man physically attractive.

In light of that, exactly what statement is the article making?

 

[bookitty]

No need to apologize.





Just doing what they feel I must!

I think this could be an interesting discussion though. At what point does it become harassment? The whole point of fashion, of which clothing, accessories, hair style, makeup, etc., are included, is to draw attention and comment. At what point does it go from comment to harrassment?

My wife will notice a guy dressed up, looking sharp, and comment on it. Is that harassment? She isn't commenting because she is going to go out and buy the outfit. She is commenting because she finds the man physically attractive.

In light of that, exactly what statement is the article making?

It goes from comment to harassment when the person saying it knows that it won't be taken as a compliment. There isn't a guy on this planet who thinks "Hey sweetits, shake it don't break it!" is a compliment. It is a power play.

 

[qayak]

It goes from comment to harassment when the person saying it knows that it won't be taken as a compliment. There isn't a guy on this planet who thinks "Hey sweetits, shake it don't break it!" is a compliment. It is a power play.

True, but have you read this woman's blog? There is just so much wrong. She doesn't seem to share your definition.

The way a woman is dressed does not tell you if she wants to be commented on.

Dress is fashion and fashion in our society is meant to be commented on. It doesn't matter if she wants you to or not, social norms say it is okay.

 

[a_unique_person]

I'd be more concerned about actual attacks. Last week, an elderly Vietnamese man was beaten to death and his wife severely injured by an attack by four young people.
In typical fashion, the youths seemed unaware that there was video covering the area...
When arrested, one of the 18-year old perpetrators told police they were playing "The Beat-Up Game".Apparently, they just picked victims at random to attack. Usually of a different race....

For some young men, it is just another form of entertainment.

 

[sgtbaker]

True, but have you read this woman's blog? There is just so much wrong. She doesn't seem to share your definition.



Dress is fashion and fashion in our society is meant to be commented on. It doesn't matter if she wants you to or not, social norms say it is okay.

While I openly admit that I, personally, am hollering at construction workers to get attention, these days; you would be safer to assume that a person (man or woman) chose their attire based on how much they liked their own reflection and not in hopes of comments from you.

 

[fuelair]

For some young men, it is just another form of entertainment.

I would certainly enjoy a chance to entertain them. Me and the Judge (TM).

 

[qayak]

While I openly admit that I, personally, am hollering at construction workers to get attention, these days; you would be safer to assume that a person (man or woman) chose their attire based on how much they liked their own reflection and not in hopes of comments from you.

It isn't about "hoping" for comments. It is simply that fashion is something in our society that is meant to be commented on. The latest trends in clothing, footwear, car design, house design . . . the list goes on and on, are all meant to cause a stir, incite emotion and get people talking.

 

[CelticRose]

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary...of-women-It-s-a-bigger-problem-than-you-think

Think it isn't a problem? Think again.

I find that article rather bizarre. It implies that women are can't walk out the front door without being harrassed and that men are incapable of proper behavior without special training. And since when do men try to bond with each other by raping women?

I haven't experienced the sort of harrassment described in that article since I rented an apartment without knowing that the street it was on was "hooker row". In certain neighborhoods, yes, one runs into that sort of behavior.

Otherwise, I can walk down the street with no problems. Occasionally some guy will honk his horn at me, but that's easily ignored. I prefer not to go out at night for safety reasons, but if I have to be out after dark I'm not afraid for my life -- I'm just a little more cautious than normal.

 

[king catfish]

I would certainly enjoy a chance to entertain them. Me and the Judge (TM).

I'm with you. But no one ever attacks me. I guess the shaved head, tattoos, and years of powerlifting send the wrong message.

Damned cowards.

 

[theprestige]

Okay, I just had to comment on this one:



This from the Christian Science Monitor. That group of mythologists who follow one of the most misogynistic, gender-based violence and harassment filled texts ever written?

Check your sources. Christian Science is actually a very different cult than Christianity. As Linda Richman of Coffee Talk might say, "Christian Science: Neither Christian, nor science. Discuss."

 

[Silly Green Monkey]

The whole point of fashion, of which clothing, accessories, hair style, makeup, etc., are included, is to draw attention and comment.

Dress is fashion and fashion in our society is meant to be commented on. It doesn't matter if she wants you to or not, social norms say it is okay.

Like hell. I am FORCED to wear clothing, I don't get to choose whether I can or not. I don't wear it for you, or any other man or woman, I wear it because I MUST.