HDC Weekly Debate: Are sexily-dressed women inviting trouble?

[_____V_____]

A single comment by a Canadian police official has sparked off protests across that nation and the world, with women up in arms about the way they dress -- and now it's coming to India.

When in January, Constable Michael Sanguinetti stated in a Toronto-based safety forum that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised", it created an uproar.

Three months later, the city saw its first 'SlutWalk' protest, with over 3,000 women taking to the streets in a march "against the belief that any aspect of a woman's appearance might explain or excuse rape".

Holding signs that read 'Sexy is NOT an invite for rape!' and 'Believe it or not, my outfit has NOTHING to do with YOU!' and chanting slogans, protesters in both ordinary and provocative clothing made their way to the Toronto Police Headquarters.

While Constable Sanguinetti apologised for his comment, it hasn't deterred people in other nations across the globe from holding similar 'SlutWalk' protests to express their solidarity -- New York, Los Angeles, Mexico, London, Stockholm, Johannesburg and Melbourne, to name a few.

And now, New Delhi will join the ranks next month. Over 4,000 Facebook users have pledged to participate and the rally in the capital promises to make a mark.

It's hardly surprising that New Delhi is the first Indian city to jump on the bandwagon, considering that it is considered one of our most unsafe for women; a quarter of all rapes that occurred in India last year were reported there.

While opinions are divided as to the method of protest and its effectiveness, New Delhi's SlutWalk seems to be well on track and the media is all set to document history in the making.

[swiss tony]

Well, I predict that this is going to be the shortest debate in HDC history. In this day and age, it really is astonishing that someone in a reasonably senior job, can be this crass and blinkered. There is clearly only one conclusion a right-minded person draw...

...sluts are people too and should be permitted to safely dress accordingly!:D

[hammerfan]

Of course, I agree with the women. We should be able to dress as we want without having to worry about some man with overloaded testosterone.

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

Of course, I agree with the women. We should be able to dress as we want without having to worry about some man with overloaded testosterone.

Exactly. Men can be real pigs.

[cheebacheeba]

Rape should not occur even if someone is wearing NO clothes...
That said - if inviting "trouble" can be seen as having peoples opinions of them be that they're either "slutty" or "un-classy", and that this perception might get them a certain type of treatment...be it admittance barred at certain locations, males lapping it up while never actually considering them for a "serious" relationship, disapproving friends/family causing inherent problems if they DO, or not being considered to have an "appropriate" appearance for any number of reasons...then yes, even though I do not personally persecute them as such (in fact, like clowns I enjoy looking at them but unfortunately on account of what they're wearing and how they conduct themselves I wouldn't exactly take them seriously), these opinions do exist and limitations will present themselves.

Besides, in all honesty the one thing I'm kind of sick of seeing is women and girls that are too far north or south of the age group for which "sexy" clothing, actually is.
Goes without saying that for a guy, it makes me feel perverted when girls under 18, hell, under 15 dress in less than I've seen actual hookers wear.
Also not saying that females of a certain age group can no longer BE sexy...but, really there's nothing sadder than seeing a 40+ woman trying to pull off a tight crop top and cut-offs as anything other than bed/house clothes...Regardless of how much of her body she still can (or can not) squeeze into it, all my mind is telling me is "Do they seriously still have it in their mind to dress like this at their age? What are they trying to prove" - Neither of these parties, can I take seriously.
Sexy doesn't have to be about a particular type of clothing either, those that always dress "sexy" in my opinion know very little about what it is.
These days IMO the sexier thing is to actually show a little more dignity, but hey, just me.

There's a time and a place for many a form of attire.
I think even if a person was wearing "sexy" clothing, I'd draw a line between that and those that ALWAYS wear "sexy" clothing - because that comes down to attention seeking really.
One other thing I'll throw in, because it's something that I'll just do...and I don't give a fuck about negative opinions on it at all - lets just say if a woman catches me looking at her exposed tits or observing that from 3-4 steps behind them on an escalator I can see actual ass-cheek, and then acts offended like I'm in the wrong? I find this pretty amusing, without unnecessarily dissecting why males do this, I can say that the expectation to not be looked at, (or alternatively only looked at by the one from whom you are seeking attention) is in fact quite similar to expecting to stand on a busy train track, and not get hit.
It is how it is - you put yourself on display and you'll get looked at. In my case, it's a glance, in a lot of cases it's full-on ogling.
But, chicks - if you don't know this happens by now, write it on a nail and hammer it into your head - I'll sooner be demonised for breathing.

On the rape thing - still not an excuse.
Though, perhaps what it is...is that a potential rapist would be a bit of an opportunistic predator, as well as choosing women that are alone, probably more slight of frame etc a "target", it could simply be that they see less clothing that they would have to remove.
Maybe they also think not a lot of people would "take them seriously" if they were to report it?
I mean whether or not you like it, you KNOW how many people have the default setting of "dress like a slut, get treated like one". This whole 'slutwalk' thing wouldn't exist otherwise.
So in those terms if "inviting trouble" can be considered something that someone could do unintentionally or results in an unjustifiable assault, well then on that hand you have to say they do - Not everyone has self restraint and operates as a normal part of society, and rapists most certainly don't.
You're not talking about ordinary males - you don't know what an "implied" invitation is to a nutjob rapist...

"against the belief that any aspect of a woman's appearance might explain or excuse rape"

True, it's no excuse and may not "explain" it...but it's likely a factor in play in the mind of someone that would perpetrate a rape.

So two answers I suppose...
To a "normal" person - No.
To a rapist - most likely.
Neither of these answers mean anyone would "deserve" it though.

[Freak]

A woman should not be a victim of rape no matter what she wears or how she acts.

But what I find to be funny is how a woman will dress sexy and revealing then get pissed when a man stares at them.

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by cheebacheeba

Also not saying that females of a certain age group can no longer BE sexy...but, really there's nothing sadder than seeing a 40+ woman trying to pull off a tight crop top and cut-offs. Regardless of how much of her body she still can (or can not) squeeze into it, all my mind is telling me is "Do they seriously still have it in their mind to dress like this at their age? What are they trying to prove" - Neither of these parties, can I take seriously.

Hence, the reason whenever I'm out shopping with my sister I constantly ask "Do I look like an idiot in this? Do I look like I'm trying to recapture my 20s?" I'm always so afraid of looking like one of "those" women" LOL

[cheebacheeba]

Hence, the reason whenever I'm out shopping with my sister I constantly ask "Do I look like an idiot in this? Do I look like I'm trying to recapture my 20s?" I'm always so afraid of looking like one of "those" women" LOL

If you have the presence of mind to actually ponder these things, then I'm pretty sure you're safe from that fate.
Older chicks can still look sexy as all hell...I think dressing "young" is one of the unsexiest things they can actually do. Funny how with the intent how counterproductive it can be.

But what I find to be funny is how a woman will dress sexy and revealing then get pissed when a man stares at them.

Yup, I laugh along with you.
Like walking past a "free bbq" and not eating.

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

Hence, the reason whenever I'm out shopping with my sister I constantly ask "Do I look like an idiot in this? Do I look like I'm trying to recapture my 20s?" I'm always so afraid of looking like one of "those" women" LOL

I know what you mean. I hope jeans and t-shirts are still okay for a 40+ woman because that's what I usually wear. I have accepted that my bikini, mini-skirt, and tube top days are over.:(

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by TheWickerFan

I know what you mean. I hope jeans and t-shirts are still okay for a 40+ woman because that's what I usually wear. I have accepted that my bikini, mini-skirt, and tube top days are over.:(

Don't forget short shorts. Or, what we called hot pants. :D

And, cheebs, it's very easy to slip over the line without realizing it. You think you look great, you come out of the dressing room, and your sister has this horrified look on her face that says "Oh no you're not!". LOL