Understand why no means no. Examine powerplay in everyday interactions.
We all know the ancient, complex and complicated story of Shiva, Parvathi, and how the son intervened and eventually lost his head to become the revered and loved Ganapathi. It is interesting to observe how these dynamics play out today.
Men, and young male students, are often confused as to why women / girls, seem to over-react to lewd behaviour, calling it ‘harassment’, when all men are doing is ‘expressing themselves’ which could also be seen as the target being ‘worthy of attention’. In my role as an older woman, practising psychotherapist and classroom facilitator, I take these sentiments seriously, and try my best not to be judgemental. I try to process both the male and female perspective as clearly, simply, and articulately as possible.
I related the incident to friends and colleagues, patting myself on the back about how I had refused to be the victim, had almost turned aggressor, and had let him go. In my eyes, I was a hero. But was I?