It’s not your responsibility to instruct your daughters on how to dress “appropriately.”
It’s not your duty to shield them from the realities of parties, alcohol, and casual encounters.
It’s not your role to instill fear about walking alone, day or night.
It’s not your job to caution them to avoid looking vulnerable on public transport.
It’s not your place to suggest they downplay their relationships to fend off unwanted attention.
It’s not your task to teach them to brush off catcalls.
It’s not your job to explain that being friendly can sometimes be misinterpreted as an invitation.
It’s not your responsibility to arm them with whistles, pepper spray, or anything else for self-defense.
It’s certainly not your job to instruct them on how to sidestep harassment or assault.
For too long, society has placed the burden of safety on women and girls, making them responsible for the inappropriate and often violent actions of some men. From a young age, women are conditioned to see themselves as potential victims. Whether it’s avoiding certain streets due to past experiences or sticking together in groups at social events, many girls live in a constant state of vigilance.
As a mother of two boys, I often reflect on how I can influence their understanding of respect and boundaries. I worry about the world they will navigate as teenagers. While parents aren’t solely responsible for their children’s actions, the environment—friends, society, and media—plays a significant role in shaping their views on women.
That said, the fears surrounding young men shouldn’t overshadow the more pressing issue: the disproportionate number of women who face violence and harassment. It’s imperative for us, as parents of boys, to step up.
Teaching Our Sons
We must teach our sons that “no means no,” but also that “yes doesn’t always mean yes.”
We should guide them to see that viewing an intoxicated girl as an easy target is unacceptable.
We must inform them that even compliments can become harassment if they’re unsolicited.
We have to emphasize that no one should be touched without clear consent.
Our sons should learn that gestures like buying gifts or taking someone out do not obligate them to anything in return.
We need to clarify that behaviors like hair pulling or pinching are never funny.
It’s essential to teach them that a woman’s worth far exceeds any reputation they might be concerned with.
We must encourage them not to support harmful behavior among peers or to engage in it themselves.
Sharing private images, boasting about conquests, and shaming women only perpetuate a harmful culture.
It’s time to end the “boys will be boys” mindset regarding how our sons treat girls. We need to confront any sense of entitlement they may have and how it affects their perceptions of women. We cannot allow girls and those who care for them to bear the weight of their safety.
When I see social media posts featuring dads threatening boys who might hurt their daughters, it saddens me. It reflects a troubling narrative that persists: boys as predators, girls as victims. I’m frustrated that despite progress, this reality remains.
Let’s commit, as parents of boys, to raise them to be better men. This is crucial for ensuring that their female friends, coworkers, and family members can live without fear of harassment or worse. Our responsibility is to teach our sons to treat women with respect so that you won’t have to teach your daughters how to protect themselves.
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In summary, it’s time for parents of boys to take proactive steps to foster a culture of respect and equality. By empowering our sons to understand consent and the value of women, we can help ensure a safer future for all.
Keyphrase: Parents of Daughters Responsibility
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