A discussion was opened about women's clothing after a young woman entered our store wearing a tank top that had a tenuous hold on her bulging bosom. The fact that this discussion happened at around the same time as the Sexual Harassment Awareness Campaign on campus as well as April's Sexual Awareness Month was purely coincidental. (As a side note, why do we need a Sexual Awareness Month? I think we're all aware of sex, and not just in April. Does it have to do with bunnies, Easter or otherwise?)Long story short, the general agreement was that while it's true that women and girls who dress in skimpy clothing are definitely not 'asking for it' (it being harassment, rape, etc.), there is a certain invitation implied - even if the invitation is just to look. The problem begins (???) when these women complain about men (or other women) looking at their busts instead of into their eyes. Well, yes. I, we, they, whomever, will look at your bust if it appears to be falling out of your shirt. Heck, chalk it up to being aware of a potential health hazard if eyes may be poked out. Just like if you bend over in a miniskirt and moon anyone who cares to chance by, expect the gaze of anyone around to fall on your derriere (whether they want it to or not).
Believe it or not, these people (we!) don't necessarily want to be staring at your lady lumps, but - like a car wreck - if its in the middle of everything, it's hard to avoid. As my partner in conversation stated "If I walked around town dressed as a police officer, it doesn't mean I am one, it just means I look like one, and most people will assume that I am what I look like." (No mention was made of the legal ramifications of this). Seriously, though, if we all were what we looked like, Halloween would cause LOTS of problems (though it may answer some questions, too). Whether or not you are what you portray yourself as is not the issue - the issue is: why portray yourself that way in the first place if that's not how you want to be viewed?
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