Our teacher segregated the girls from the boys and took us aside to tell us that you can’t wear a black bra under a white shirt”, revealed a 16 year old girl studying at one of the well known public schools of Noida.
This incident is not an isolated case. Similar situations unfold daily explicitly as well as implicitly at home, educational institutions and work places etc. The message is clear: girls must dress appropriately to prevent boys from getting distracted, thereby placing the responsibility for maintaining a safe and morally upright society squarely on the shoulders of females.
This mindset is definitely outdated and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It implies that boys are unable to control their impulses and that it is the girls’ duty to uphold a specific standard of decorum. Such expectations not only undermine the autonomy of girls but also send the wrong message about respect, consent, and gender equality.
The burden of modesty disproportionately affects girls from a young age. It sends a message that their bodies are inherently distracting or problematic; fostering a culture where victim-blaming becomes the norm. Instead of addressing the real issue of educating boys and girls alike about respect and consent, society often resorts to controlling what girls wear or how they behave.
It’s important to implement comprehensive sex education programs in schools that not only cover the biological aspects but also emphasize consent, healthy relationships, and respect for all genders.
Normalizing the use of terms such as “bra,” “panty,” “periods,” and “sanitary pads,” among others, can contribute to eliminating the inappropriate cheap thrills that some derive from the mere mention of these everyday items used by females.
A more radical thought process is required to bring about a change in the mindset of public at large and schools are a starting point for a progressive thinking.
