It's not his fault

I've been reading and watching a range of books, blogs and films from other parts of the world, and it's been getting me thinking about this whole women covering up 'thing'.

I just don't get it? When was it decided that men are so weak and feeble that they can't control their urges, and that it's the woman's fault? Why is it that women are responsible for men's actions? Surely if you follow that thinking, that makes women far more powerful than men. And yet, women aren't allowed to do certain things (in these societies that believe women cause men to sin). I just don't get it.

An Iranian PhD student in Canada sexually assaulted a woman in an elevator. And blamed her: "You can’t expect all males to control themselves when the breasts are out" was his defense. Um, hello! Yes we can! In fact, we demand it! I'd like to think this says more about him than his culture, but I'm not 100% sure it's the case. Culture has a lot to do with who we are, so there must be some influence.

A slightly more (I hope) tongue-in-cheek look at the subject, from an American perspective. I agree, to a point: we should ALL dress appropriately, men as well as women. There comes a point when we need to realise that letting it all hang out probably isn't best for anyone (and I've done my years of letting it all hang out). But, just because someone chooses to do that, it's no excuse to behave badly and take advantage (and I don't think a man having an erection at the sight of a woman's backside is sexual harrasment - that's just biology. Touching - now that IS harassment!)

Though, I can see the advantages of the burqa: at least you wouldn't have to worry about what to wear each morning!

Can I recommend At Five in the Afternoon, a very moving film about a young woman living in Kabul after the fall of the Taliban. If it doesn't make you feel blessed to be living in a 'Western' country, then I don't know what will.