BlogHer - buses - Comments

Power and status

snigdhasen — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:39:23 -0500

Megan, that's exactly what I meant when I said for many men, women's emancipation has meant an adjustment of status. Yes, loss of power and control have to be part of the equation. That explains a lot.

And sexual intimidation --- in all its forms -- could be a typical way of establishing power. As I had mentioned in a different post, one Indian lawyer had pointed out that hardly a case (that involves a woman, particularly sexual offence) goes by when lawyers don't, in some way or the other, try to raise the issue of the woman's "moral character", whether it be related to the case or not.

But to give where credit is due, many men (and women, mothers included) have successfully risen above this crassness. For others, the struggle continues...

Chicken or egg situation

snigdhasen — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:27:27 -0500

Exactly, Mashadutoit. That's the problem. It would seem that the best way would be for women to weather this out for a generation or so until familiarity actually breeds comfort, but tell that to the women who have to travel this way on a daily basis. The problem is most of the men traveling are decent. But then there are some who make it miserable for everyone.

It's About Power

Megan Smith — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:51:53 -0500

Maybe I'm being simplistic here, and I freely admit I don't know a lot about Indian culture, but to my mind this is all about power.

Men can't control the jobs women are getting, can't control their increasing freedom and can't control their own fears, so what's the great equalizer? Sexual intimidation. It gives men a sense of reviving the power in society they are so afraid of losing.

In Indian and in other countries, women who buy into this male point of view of the world, raise their sons to act the same way. It's very scary and very sad and unfortunately, those trains for women may need to be around for a long time to come.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

Twitter:@MeganSmith

viscious circle

mashadutoit — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:11:11 -0500

Very interesting. It seems like a viscious circle - seperation breeds contempt, as it were.

Not New

lilmommythatcould — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:34:18 -0500

These kind of stories pop up every year. Sending kids off to school is scary enough but trusting someone to transport your children in huge bus adds to it. get to know the people in your neighborhood- those who will be at your bus stop, people your kids can stick too, buddy system. I will send off my first to kindergarten next year, he is excited to ride the bus. The good news they are discussing stopping bus services to our neighborhood-which I hope they do.