General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We must define acceptable and nonacceptable touching [View all]missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)what is and isnt appropriate touching. What we need to define instead is, what behaviors do women need to be protected from?
I am quite befuddled by the idea that many people, including an incredible number of left-leaning women, believe that women should be protected at all times from even the slightest inappropriate act. It feels very patriarchal.
I can handle, all by myself, an unwelcome advance. I dont need protection from men who wolf whistle, or try to pick me up at a bar, or try to advance a friendship into something more serious. I can even handle the Louis CK types who think that exposing their penis will somehow result in a sexual encounter. Those kinds of things can be handled with a firm no, or an eye roll, or a snide comment. I dont need someone to ride in on a white horse to defend my honor from men who are merely misguided, clumsy, or immature. I dont even need such defense when the perpetrators are truly misogynistic. Im not that delicate, and, frankly, dont want to be perceived as that delicate. It undermines everything I have accomplished as a woman to have people believe that I need to rely upon someone else to protect me from the little indignities that come along.
I need protection from the Bill Cosbys of the world; men who would drug me and rape me. From the Donald Trumps who believe it is their RIGHT to grab my private parts, or to ogle naked underage girls because he owns the pageant. From police officers or drill sergeants or clergy who use the fact that they have power over me to molest or rape me.
Just my 2 cents. Flame away. I can take it.