Susan Bednar wrote:Let me tell you of an embarrassing experience I had when I was your age and a student at Brigham Young University. I was wearing a tight turtle neck similar to most of the turtle necks and tight shirts I see you young women wearing. I'd gone into the 7-Eleven store to buy something to eat when I heard two sleazy boys make some extremely vulgar comments about me. The way we dress does send a message, and I sent a message I didn't intend to boys I didn't have any desire to date, much less associate with. I felt violated by their comments; I felt dirty and cheap. Inside I just wanted to say, "I'm not that kind of a girl." But the top I was wearing didn't reflect that. I never wore that top or anything tight like it again. I want to warn you, many of you are sending the wrong message about who you are by the tight tops you wear.
I did a couple of mission trips to Mexico when I was 16, 18 and 19. On the third and final trip, I had a Mexican guy proposition me one night when I was walking back to the condo where we were staying.
This was the dress I was wearing. It was not at all tight or form-fitting, it had sleeves that came to the middle of my upper arm, and the hem came all the way to my ankles.
Certain types of clothing will definitely increase the likelihood that men will view a woman in a lewd manner, but just because a man has viewed a woman in a lewd manner doesn't mean she was dressed provocatively. I find it pretty sad that Ms. Bednar's first course of action was to blame herself instead of the two young men, but I've come to expect as much from LDS leaders. I hear far too much talk of covering the women up and barely any talk of telling men to take responsibility for their own thoughts.
Carton wrote:Susan Bednar wrote:Some of the tops you wear show every bump and every curve on your breast. They fit you like a wet swimming suit with no padding, and they are showing every bit as much.
Wow! Did Sister Bednar actually say this?
This made me do a double-take, too. I had to click on the link and check the talk myself.
God help the YW leader who ever says anything like this to my daughter.