Re: Don Rush’s March 25 column, ‘The Saga of Yoga Pants & Your Daughter?
This column is a classic example that covert sexism is alive and well today.
Mr. Rush feels yoga pants are distracting to teen males because they allow one to imagine the sexual nature of the female form. There is so much that is wrong with this thinking it’s difficult to know where to even begin. First, I quote Juliet Bond, LCSW, Professor at Columbia College in response to an Illinois school ban on yoga pants: “We are frankly shocked at this antiquated and warped message that is being sent to the kids. Under no circumstances should girls be told that their clothing is responsible for boy’s bad behaviors. This kind of message lands itself squarely on a continuum that blames girls and women for assault by men. It also sends the message to boys that their behaviours are excusable, or understandable given what the girls are wearing. We really hope that you will consider the impact of these policies and how they contribute to rape culture. Girls should be able to feel safe and unashamed about what they wear. And boys need to be corrected and taught when they harass girls.”
Second, I have a Pakistani host-son who comes from a town where women are clothed head to toe (even eyes) for fear that (his words) ‘men will go crazy if they see women’s bodies.? How is this yoga pants issue any different?
Again, it places the blame on women and the bodies they were born with.
Furthermore, a friend of mine commented re: Mr. Rush’s opinion, ‘When he was a kid, hot pants were a standard fashion! And mini and micro-mini skirts before then. And leggings (effectively same as yoga pants) have been around for ages.?
In fact, women’s bodies have been around for ages. There’s just, sadly, always men trying to control them.
And lastly, just because you state “I am not a creepy old guy on the prowl for cheap thrills” doesn’t make it so. That’s precisely what it means whether or not that’s your intent. Stop sexualizing our kids.
Kelly Teague
Clarkston