Huffington Post Women
10.22.15 | Kasey Ferris
There's a story in the news this week about how a well-meaning father took pictures with his arms around his daughter's Homecoming date; mimicking the couple's pose. A comment was later added, and the picture posted on social media. "Whatever you do to my daughter, I will do to you." The original article came out on a Fox News affiliate in Orlando, and was dubbed "hilarious".
Now. The full story is that both families were at the photo shoot and it was intended to be a joke, okay'ed by everyone involved. Therein, I'm not trying to judge this particular story, more use it as an example of the old-fashioned norms in which we continue to mindlessly participate.
While the role of overprotective father is not a new one, it is a tired concept that needs to just die, already. Aside from the assumption that my daughter (yes, I also have daughters) is incapable of good judgement and protecting herself and her standards, this ridiculous concept imagines my sons likewise incapable of the same good judgement and standards.
"But I've been/known a teenage boy," You say. "I know how they think."
Which is total baloney. Because here's the thing -- thoughts are not equal to actions. And rationalizing that young men have overwhelming urges that cloud their judgement and force them to make poor decisions regarding young women is nothing more than excusing bad behavior. "Boys will be boys" needs to STOP.