87% of American women (18-64) claim to have been harassed on the street by men

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I've been catcalled and masturbated at while wearing a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt two sizes too big, with no makeup, while walking through a grocery store parking lot carrying a container of kitty litter. I've been told I have sexy legs and followed by a jerk in a convertible while wearing my then-boyfriend's t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts that stop at my knee, while walking a dog and carrying a poo-bag of, well, poo.

I don't know how I could possibly be looking like I'm looking for less attention, yet it still happens.

You must be really hot, to get that kind of attention dressed like that, which the behavior is inappropriate I might add

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

You must be really hot, to get that kind of attention dressed like that, which the behavior is inappropriate I might add

I suspect that it's not my hotness, but the fact that I probably look vulnerable, like an easy target. I'm petite and I don't look my age (I'm 27 and have yet to ever get a drink somewhere without ID, despite legal drinking age here being 19). The types of men who pull this BS? They honestly don't seem to care about hotness, they care about your ability to defend yourself. I lived with a statuesque, well built rower. She was pretty and did her hair and makeup every morning, wore tight clothes that showed off her body. She didn't get cat-called, standing at 5'11, except on a couple of occasions. Nowhere near as often as I did and she was model-hot.

It's not about gorgeousness, it's about men feeling entitled and picking 'easy targets' to express that.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Not a Tailor

[LibCampFireClub 635]

All this focus on the 87%. Surely there should be some attention given to the 13%. Perhaps a makeover and shopping spree to help make them more appealing.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

So effing gross that comments like that are allowed here.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Ladies, ladies. Don't you know it's our role in life to be decorative and take catcalls, vicious comments and entreaties to "smile, you stuck up b!tch" as compliments from the men of the world? Know your place, ladies!

Yes, LOLOLOL, it's so funny when you're made to feel unsafe just going out in the world and being human and doing humany things.

ROFL

About 3 weeks ago my wife was out for a walk with the dog on a Saturday morning, it was only 30 something degrees out, so being dressed provocatively was not an issue. Some A-hole in a pick up truck was driving by her and he slowed down with his window down and said "hey baby, how you doin today"? My wife did not respond and kept walking, the fine gentleman in the truck then proceeded to yell at her "#### off you stuck up bytch", and he sped away. Not only was she shocked at the way this jackass acted, but she was frightened and worried about this idiot coming back. So she turned around and headed home as fast as she could. I am glad that we are both very strict about her taking the dog every time she goes for a walk alone. I'm sure our 80 pound German Shepherd played a roll in just how far this guy was willing to go or whether or not he chose to come back. I would love to run into this guy somewhere.

My mother and I, when I was around 16 or 17 , were walking down the street in downtown Ottawa. We passed a park where a lot of landscaping was being done - plenty of workers out doing various projects. It was summer, so I was just wearing a tank top and some shorts. Nothing extreme.

One guy, clearly old enough to be my father, screamed "Lady, if that's your kid, you shouldn't let your sl*t leave the house like that!" to my mom, causing one of his buddies to call me a tease.

It was disgusting and mortifying. I cried the whole way home on the bus.

Penny, that's just wrong on so many levels. That guy deserves a good beating. I'm surprised one of the other guys didn't say something to him. There is usually 1 or 2 guys in a crew with some common sense and the nerve to speak up.

[chaine1 116]

Putting rape aside, when it come to suggestive comments, a women's choice of dress does play a part and yes I know Feminist

can't accept this reality but all you have to do to test the once universal logic is to try this experience.

Dress in Muslim womens garb and stand on the corner for an hour and see how much attention you get

Next,

Dress in a short, shear summer dress with high heals and see how much attention you attract then.

Next

Put on a thong bikini... with heels and see how many wrecks are caused.

This is not about "justifying" anyones actions it is to highlight the reality to dress and attractiveness, does play a part in the amount of attention one gets.

Sorry, no, I don't agree with this. I lived in a Muslim country for several years, and saw and experienced sexual harassment far worse than anything I've ever seen here at home in the USA. I've seen women in full on burqas and niqabs be verbally and physically harassed. Dress has nothing to do with it. It is about dominance, power and insecurity. The equivalent of a man holding his d%*k in his hand saying - 'see how big this is?'

Here's a BBC article about sexual harassment in Egypt, and an exherted comment:

But dressing conservatively is no longer a protection, according to Dina Farid of the campaign group Egypt's Girls are a Red Line.

She says even women who wear the full-face veil - the niqab - are being targeted.

"It does not make a difference at all. Most of Egyptian ladies are veiled [with a headscarf] and most of them have experienced sexual harassment.

"Statistics say that most of the women or girls who have been sexually harassed have been veiled or completely covered up with the niqab."

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Penny, that's just wrong on so many levels. That guy deserves a good beating. I'm surprised one of the other guys didn't say something to him. There is usually 1 or 2 guys in a crew with some common sense and the nerve to speak up.

The type of men that would yell something like that generally wait until they're with a group that they know will back them up, I've found. I've never had a guy who was alone yell something inappropriate at me. Guess they need their buddies to feel brave enough.

[Harpa Timsah 13,259]

Many years ago, my younger sister was dated raped after her senior prom. This was before there was much public awareness of date rape. We were angry enough with the situation with the scumbag, but what really got me going was when I overheard some moms speaking … moms, mind you … that if she hadn't dressed that way she then it wouldn't have happened. Like it was all her fault. She was dressed more like an early 80s punk than some sort of tart. l lost it and let loose an onslaught of language that I never knew I had.

I'm so sorry, noved.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sorry, no, I don't agree with this. I lived in a Muslim country for several years, and saw and experienced sexual harassment far worse than anything I've ever seen here at home in the USA. I've seen women in full on burqas and niqabs be verbally and physically harassed. Dress has nothing to do with it. It is about dominance, power and insecurity. The equivalent of a man holding his d%*k in his hand saying - 'see how big this is?'

Here's a BBC article about sexual harassment in Egypt, and an exherted comment:

But dressing conservatively is no longer a protection, according to Dina Farid of the campaign group Egypt's Girls are a Red Line.

She says even women who wear the full-face veil - the niqab - are being targeted.

"It does not make a difference at all. Most of Egyptian ladies are veiled [with a headscarf] and most of them have experienced sexual harassment.

"Statistics say that most of the women or girls who have been sexually harassed have been veiled or completely covered up with the niqab."

Thanks for your perspective. +1

[Novembro 1,763]

Good question.

The kind that thinks breathing car and truck fumes is not healthy, gym membership is fairly cheap.

Prissy b*tches.

But still, your argument is invalid because I own a car and have a gym membership as well. I enjoy being outside though, and all that BS isn't going to stop me.

I love it, truly, that your thought is to keep women hidden away inside their homes to protect them from "toxic" fumes, catcalls, and pollen.

Cute, cute, cute.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Novembro

[sharky-rex 76]

All of my female friends have a story or several. All of them. And I'd wager the statistics are about the same for 12-17 year old girls. But hey, gotta get to the sluts early. God forbid they don't learn to consider what the men will say when choosing what to wear and where to go.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Girls, our experiences are only anecdata. Who cares that we all. have. the. same. stories. No matter where we live, how old we are, how we dress, how we comport ourselves, where we were walking, where we were shopping, where we were drinking. Just... anecdata. Harassment isn't real. Tsk. Now go hide in the kitchen. Maybe walk to the garage so you can get in a car where you'll be safe from being appreciated by the male gaze.

Shout out to the dudes on here who see this is real and how upsetting it is.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

This topic just reinforced what I thought about MOST of the men here.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Girls, our experiences are only anecdata. Who cares that we all. have. the. same. stories. No matter where we live, how old we are, how we dress, how we comport ourselves, where we were walking, where we were shopping, where we were drinking. Just... anecdata. Harassment isn't real. Tsk. Now go hide in the kitchen. Maybe walk to the garage so you can get in a car where you'll be safe from being appreciated by the male gaze.

Shout out to the dudes on here who see this is real and how upsetting it is.

Exactly! And the other 13% who have never experienced it should just dress better and look better so they can be lucky too!!

So so gross.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

This topic just reinforced what I thought about MOST of the men here.

Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe there is a construction site like this out there somewhere: