streetwalker
"it was taught: a man should not walk behind a woman in the street..." Berachot 61a
The text continues to discuss that this even applies to one's wife. It is to prevent the sexual allure of seeing a woman from behind, and continues to describe about crossing a bridge or river, situations when she may need to lift her skirts. Women in the street are not safe from the male gaze.
Recently in Meah Shearim there were posters warning women not to use certain streets during a busy festival time, and a barrier was erected to prevent mingling of the sexes. This is reminiscent of the 'Slutwalks' that took place in many cities around the world, promoting a society where women should be able to walk around safely, and to protest the culture of blaming the victim in sexual assult.
The segregation on the streets of Meah Shearim and the need for Slutwalk both demonstrate attitudes that women are responsible for men's sexual wrongdoings. There is also another message of power and control in the image of a woman always having to walk behind a man. Women are to follow, not lead.
The text continues to discuss that this even applies to one's wife. It is to prevent the sexual allure of seeing a woman from behind, and continues to describe about crossing a bridge or river, situations when she may need to lift her skirts. Women in the street are not safe from the male gaze.
Recently in Meah Shearim there were posters warning women not to use certain streets during a busy festival time, and a barrier was erected to prevent mingling of the sexes. This is reminiscent of the 'Slutwalks' that took place in many cities around the world, promoting a society where women should be able to walk around safely, and to protest the culture of blaming the victim in sexual assult.
The segregation on the streets of Meah Shearim and the need for Slutwalk both demonstrate attitudes that women are responsible for men's sexual wrongdoings. There is also another message of power and control in the image of a woman always having to walk behind a man. Women are to follow, not lead.
