Street Harassment Follow Up

[sierra_le_oli]

Last Friday, I wrote about my record day of street harassment in London. The subsequent discussion seems to warrant a follow up post to clarify a couple of things. I'll start by answering a request for examples of what it is the men shout

Comments

[furrfu]

Interesting, and somewhat shocking. Thanks for the explanation.

These men should have their goolies cut off.

[sierra_le_oli]

Thank you for being prepared to listen.

[furrfu]

I'm a bit shocked at that, I didn't realise it was actually that bad although sadly it doesn't actually *surprise* me as such.

And while I may share my XY chromosome characteristic with them, that doesn't mean I share their *cough* "values"...

[gmh]

Not just their goolies, either.

(Of course, if and when I see this happening, another stereotypical middle-class liberal dilemma emerges with regard to intervention...

1. I don't want any women to be exposed to this sort of discourtesy (unless she wants to be). Therefore, I should Have Words.

2. In intervening myself, am I reinforcing the patriarchial model of delicate women who need protecting by men? - I like to think not, and on the occasions where I have intervened, I've done my best to make myself as non-threatening as possible, but it does concern me.

[sierra_le_oli]

I can see why it concerns you. However, the fact that you're thinking about it means that the chances of you intervening in the wrong way are small. :-) Offering assistance to a fellow human being is okay, indeed laudable. Probably the best thing you can do is continue to listen to what the women say and let that inform your actions. You'll do fine.