[Reader-list] 'What Is Eve Teasing?' - Opinion Poll Results

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear all

The larger change which can be brought about is only through structural
change in our educational and social system. I understand this is a long
term process and can't be brought about in just one day or even one month or
year. However, I would be happy if people can suggest innovative and
important solutions on this issue, so that we can certainly look towards it.
At least we can make a start on it.

Also, yes, accepted that men do stare at breasts. It's true certainly. And
here, I beg to differ with Chandni. The restrictions on freedom come due to
the way we are brought up (in a patriarchal society), to be afraid of men
(particularly women), to ignore men, and to continue with the milieu
attitude of 'sab chalta hai'. That's the reason we have corruption, that's
the reason we have terrorism, that's the reason we have eve-teasing. If
girls start actually acting, if the people within society take up the
responsibility of making others realize that why is this uncomfortable and
wrong, and if people can be won over with this, why won't it stop? And like
you organize, can't we have a larger debate on what's right and wrong, and
why, as defined in the social context?

I had one more query, and this could be interesting. Within men folk, which
has been the case in my father's times, also in our times, and I believe
will continue as well, females have certainly occupied an important part of
discussion. There have been discussions as well, I am sure many would
recount here, on how pretty the females are, their shapes, sizes and
figures, of breasts, nose, face, waist level and all that.  However most of
us I believe, especially  those who indulge in such discussions, always take
care that these things are never heard by any women folk.

Now is it only that if this talk is only among boys and women never get to
hear about it, it's fine? Or does this tantamount to eve-teasing? Is this
wrong or natural? Where should we draw the line? And what's wrong or right
or even natural about it?

Rakesh