Jo Weldon
08-06-2004, 11:06 PM
I totally appreciate what you're saying, but as someone who is no longer a "hot young thing," I can say that getting less of this kind of attention is one of the best parts of aging, even if the REASON I'm getting less of it isn't a pleasure to contemplate. I don't mean to be argumentative for argument's sake, I swear. Sometimes it's like going through a gauntlet just walking through a parking lot to get to your car, even in sweatpants and no makeup, and after awhile any of it can feel intrusive even when most of the noticing is actually benign.
I'm just saying that it's not the guys who notice women, but the guys who insist on being noticed in return, that are the problem.
There's a book on the subject called "Passing By: Gender and Public Harassment" by Carol Brooks Gardner that examines this phenomenon from an interesting perspective. I don't agree with everything the author says, but it's worth reading if you're having trouble understanding why women say they don't like this kind of attention.
Celeste-unwanted sexual advances or comments are not acceptable from either men or women but they are an unfortunate part of the world. However, I hate hearing these rants from those who make their living being gawked at turn around and get angry when their gawked at. You should feel fortunate that someone wants to look at you. Be more sensitive towards those who go their whole lives never being noticed. Would you prefer that treatment? Remember our primary biological protocol is to reproduce...that is to reproduce with attractive mates. Just like the female dog who gets her ass sniffed by all the male dogs in the hood we humans are not that much above that...combine that with sexual imagery wherever you go...and there you have it...unwanted sexual attention. Be happy though becuase someday much sooner than you think you will get your wish...people WILL stop checking you out.
I'm just saying that it's not the guys who notice women, but the guys who insist on being noticed in return, that are the problem.
There's a book on the subject called "Passing By: Gender and Public Harassment" by Carol Brooks Gardner that examines this phenomenon from an interesting perspective. I don't agree with everything the author says, but it's worth reading if you're having trouble understanding why women say they don't like this kind of attention.
Celeste-unwanted sexual advances or comments are not acceptable from either men or women but they are an unfortunate part of the world. However, I hate hearing these rants from those who make their living being gawked at turn around and get angry when their gawked at. You should feel fortunate that someone wants to look at you. Be more sensitive towards those who go their whole lives never being noticed. Would you prefer that treatment? Remember our primary biological protocol is to reproduce...that is to reproduce with attractive mates. Just like the female dog who gets her ass sniffed by all the male dogs in the hood we humans are not that much above that...combine that with sexual imagery wherever you go...and there you have it...unwanted sexual attention. Be happy though becuase someday much sooner than you think you will get your wish...people WILL stop checking you out.