...and sparks a Twitter debate in the process – but what do you think?
The last few years have seen discussions around slut-shaming and victim-blaming come to the fore, with modern feminists asserting that women should have the freedom to wear what they want and not be held responsible for any sexual harassment or assault they may be subjected to. Yesterday, singer-songwriter Erykah Badu has weighed in on this debate – tweeting in response to an article on a New Zealand high school that is making girls wear longer skirts so as not to “distract” the male teachers, the “On & On” singer’s says she agrees with the policy and gives an 11-tweet explanation why.
Her argument, which you can read in full below, goes something like this: we live in a society that sexualises young women’s bodies; it is natural for men, including male teachers) to find young women attractive; to protect young women from men, we need to make them aware fo this and they need to wear less revealing clothing to make it easier for men. As The Cut noted, it’s the “don’t tempt the boys argument”.
Naturally, this sparked a Twitter debate. Some people were sympathetic to Badu’s views, while others suggested that they border on victim-blaming. “Asking girls to be aware of how human sexuality works is not clamping their style. They must know what is provocative behaviour,” wrote one user. “Erykah Badu perpetuating rape culture by saying girls should cover up to prevent male distraction is making me want to regurgitate,” wrote another.
What do you think? Vote below.
There was an article ruling that high school girls lower their skirts so male teachers are not distracted. I agreed because...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...I am aware that we live in a sex l-driven society. It is everyone's, male and female's, responsibility to protect young ladies...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...one way to protect youth is to remind them we are all sexual in nature and as they grow and develop it is natural to attract men...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...it is not them who is doing anything wrong by being beautiful and attractive but with such imbalance in our society it is smart to be...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
... aware and awake. Men and women both go thru cycles of arousal. Men automatically are attracted to women of child bearing age....
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...I want my daughters to understand this. I want them to be themselves and wear what they like, yet be aware. Not ignore our differences...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
Males should be taught to be responsible for their actions from childhood. It's not ok to "prey" on young women...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...But do I think it is unnatural for a heterosexual male 2b attracted to a young woman in a revealing skirt? No. I think it is his nature..
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
..Consequently, we must all be aware and responsible.
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
We must protect our young women. We must teach our young men...
...if I had a school I would make sure that the uniform skirt length was a nice knee length... It is fair to everyone...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...if I had a school I would make sure that the uniform skirt length was a nice knee length... It is fair to everyone...
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
...young women you are beautiful. Young men you are beautiful. Protect one another.
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016