Letter: Battling sexism

To the editor:

As far back as I can remember, my body has been sexualized. Throughout my childhood, I remember being taught to cross my legs when I wore a skirt, and even though all the boys in the neighborhood walked around without shirts, girls cannot do it. It is not lady-like. At the ages of 5 and 6, this did not register with me. Why do I have to worry about people seeing my body?

This semester I decided to take my first women’s studies class in attempt to become the most well rounded feminist I could be. Over and over, I hear my female classmates discuss instances where they have been assaulted for trying to live out their day-to-day lives solely for being a woman.

I do not want to live in a society that leaves me frightened in my own community. Even if my dress is too short or my shirt fits too snug, I do not want that to be an invitation. Just because men tend to have higher sex drives, and I am a little intoxicated, does not mean I am asking for it. We need to teach young boys to not just grow up to be men, but to be gentlemen, who view women as their equal and not just an object their for their convenience. At universities, we are the future. By tackling these issues of sexism, the world can be a better place for everyone.