We're walking back from Perkins Cove tonight, slowly, chatting, talking about school. Ben, Zachary, Jake, Jeanine and I.
A guy in a van drives by. Shouts out. Stops.
Guy says, Hey hey hey woman....
We have our KIDS with us.
I smile, wave and say, Thanks, we're all set.
He stays.
No really, we're good.
I like your friend, he says to me.
Yeah, I like her too. Bye!
Guy finally drives off.
Jeanine pulls the boys in taking advantage of a teachable moment. If you ever see any of your friends talking to girls who are not interested...
That's so weird, Ben said.
It's what women have to live with, Jeanine said. Did I look like I was looking for a guy?
Ewww, all the boys said in unison.
That's how it feels to have someone check you out, I said. It's not nice.
It's a moment that will stick in those three, white, privileged boys minds. I'm grateful.
Even if it didn't feel very good.
(crossposted from Suburban Lesbian Housewife )
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4 Comments
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Those are the exact moments parents should be using to teach kids instead of excusing behavior. We need more parents like you, Sara!
Alex Blaze | August 24, 2008 6:16 PM
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Jeanine did a good service to us all. Please thank her for that. I hope your boys will feel confident enough to call their friends on such behavior when they are older.
Little by little we make the world a better place.
Dale | August 24, 2008 6:55 PM
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Teachable moments suck.
Rory | August 24, 2008 9:44 PM
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Seems to me there's a difference between having someone "check you out" and having someone creepily harass you. What you described is quite obviously the latter. The difference is as stark as that between having someone smile at you in a bookstore, and having someone follow you three-steps-behind through the store from the moment you enter to the moment you leave.
Claire | August 31, 2008 3:20 PM
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