Saturday January 19, 2008
Its not funny to degrade women
IT'S a shame that sexual harassment is still rampant and at this stage of our developing nation. I am referring to the humiliation that Melody Song Faye-Lynn had to undergo (Sexual harassment is not OK The Star, Jan 18).
Embarrassing and humiliating a woman to the point of unzipping her dress in front of a full audience is indeed not a joke.
I was aghast at the thought that somebody would go to such an extent, that this high-spirited young man thought it funny to undress a young woman.
Added to the insult was that there was no effort made by the police to investigate or take action against the young man, and that the university administration seemed to have swept the incident under the rug.
The young lady concerned had to uphold her dignity and rights as a human being on her own, and I was glad that the university student council supported her.
What I found disturbing is that some men, both young and old, seemed to not understand and know their limits when 'joking'. I also receive a lot of crude and vulgar jokes and remarks via SMS.
Even speakers at motivational seminars or conferences, in an effort to gain the interest of the audience, make unnecessary and sensitive gender remarks or jokes.
The men in the crowd would roar with laughter, while the women would cringe in embarrassment.
I once complained about this to my male colleagues, and guess what? I was told that I had no sense of humour and that I shouldn't take everything said too seriously; that I was being too sensitive and emotional. They are, after all, just 'jokes'.
I think this kind of attitude is sending the wrong message to young men and women that it is all right to degrade women this way.
It directly shows disrespect towards women, and it is little wonder that some of our young men, like in Melody's case, have turned out as such.
Indeed, men should know and be aware that there are limitations and restrictions in how they should behave towards women.
Not everything is considered funny.
NAZREEN,
Mersing, Johor.
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Teoh's second autopsy completed 3.15pm
- Victims dad nabs kidnapper
- Teohs body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- No licence to try offenders
- Big impact in small mans win
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Stop blanket approval for outsourcing, says union
- Weapons drawn for new battle
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
RSS
