Mexico church assailed for maligning miniskirt

Last week's condemnation of the miniskirt by the Mexican Catholic Church has enraged some Mexican women, who say the church's statement that women should wear less provocative clothing makes it easier to justify rape and other forms of violence against them.

Last week's statement, which advised women not to get into "spicy" conversations with men if they wanted to avoid rape and violence, said:

If you want to avoid sexual aggression ... do not use provocative clothing ... watch your glances ... don't be alone with a man, even if you know him ... don't permit spicy chats or jokes ... look for help when you suspect bad intentions.

Women protested in front of the cathedral in Mexico City's Zocalo over the weekend — wearing miniskirts of course — and the statement has been lambasted by newspaper columnists and women's rights activists.

Guadalupe Loaeza, a renowned Mexican social commentator, said she worries the priest's statements will be taken seriously and make it acceptable to blame the victim.

"It gives rapists permission to say, 'Well, she had on a miniskirt,' " Loaeza said. "What the church says has credibility — that's why this type of statement is so dangerous."

Click here for the full Associated Press report.

For more on Mexico, click here.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[Nina Bryant]

In one of our parishes in my home town the priest regularly warns women in the springtime that even though the hot weather is coming, we need to dress modestly. "If you come to church wearing spagetti straps, halter type tops, or sleeveless blouses, or shear clothing you will be asked to leave---we are not afraid of embarrasing you!" I think that perhaps the priest should be the one to be embarrased. For one thing, what is he doing staring at the females who come to liturgy? Also in a male body under all those vestments he is perfectly comfortable. Women's bodies have an exta layer of tissue, and our body temperatures are generally more prone to causing us discomfort than mens. Women have generally always worn clothing that lets more of our bodies surface to be exposed to help us keep cool for heavens sake. Maybe our priests need to learn to be more modest themselves and keep THEIR EYES DOWNCAST! If a man is ogling it doesn't requre skant outfits. Men (and Women) need to check their staring habits---it has little to do with clothing styles.

[Southoc]

Men should be heald accountable for their behavior. If a man has no self control it doesn't matter what his victim is wearing.

[clevelandgirl]

Maybe the bish should speak out against diapers and onesies - they're so sexy that men can't stop themselves from raping infants and toddlers.

Maybe the bish should speak out against letting boys go shirtless - that's so sex that priests can't stop themselves from raping little boys.

Maybe he should also speak out about long dresses and housecoats worn by elderly women - they're so sexy that men can't stop themselves from raping old ladies.

Maybe he should speak out about hospital gowns worn by men and women while comatose - they're so sexy that men can't stop themselves from raping the ill and infirm.

Men have raped and continue to rape women (and men) from infancy through old age. They do not just rape nubile young things in miniskirts. Men were raping centuries before the miniskirt was invented and never needed the excuse of a miniskirt to "excuse" their behavior.

Beware of men in long silky dresses - the more red on them, the worse they are, the more dangerous they are. But the most dangerous one of all wears all white and a white beanie.

The central myth of christianity *begins* WITH THE RAPE OF A YOUNG GIRL (but it was OK, she was probably wearing a miniskirt at the time...::sarcasm::).

The true relationship of the shepherd to the sheep is: fleece 'em, screw 'em, kill 'em, eat 'em. The shepherd is not in a benevolent relationship to sheep, never has been. Just another lie from RCC Inc.

[EFFREN H HERNANDEZ]

Telling your spiritual leaders off and not taking their advice? And besides all, what message are we sending to our children. We want them to follow our advice and yet, we are telling them that when someone is giving us a lesson in morality, we are not willing to listen but go against it...?

[Phil Peterson]

This reminds me of what happened at a christian church in West Hollywood back in the late 1960s. The paster ordered all teenagers to wear underwear. It seems there was a clique of young girls that together decide it would be cool to wear no panties under their skirts. The head deacon was caught flitering with one of them. Then the paster had a "lets get back to jesus" talk with the girl and it was then that the word got about about the panty lacking group of girls.

[Sam]

It is in the activist's interests to protest any statement that can get them media attention. Note that the original statement was not condoning rape, but rather was honestly telling women what they can do to reduce their risk. It seems, then, that feminists don't want to hear the truth.

[frank]

that's the kind of conduct and comments you get in sexually repressed countries, whether they are ultra-Catholic, Muslim, or any other religion.

[Marlena Munoz]

What the Catholic priests are saying and which is also taught in Islam, is that women must be covered up, cannot be alone with men, etc. because men have no control over themselves, they have no morals, no self respect, are weak, have no power, they are just males - like the male animal, he has to mate with every and all females. Males are not expected to rise above animal instincts and desires to behave appropriately no matter what the female is doing. I thought men are suppose to be strong, caring, supportive, protective, warriors, etc. but according to these religious leaders, men are weak, powerless, drooling fools, constantly erect and ready to pounce on a female.

[SarahTX2]

I guess the little altar boys were wearing mini-skirts too?

[crazy fox]

The Catholic church, with its history of aiding, abetting and condoning the rampant pedophilia among its ranks, is in no position to be issuing moral decrees to anyone.

[Gimme A BREAK!]

Guess they got no pedophiles in Mexico - or, maybe the Church is so POWERFUL, no one ever confronts the perps....kinda like here, in the USA; NO one in the Dem Party CONFRONTS bush and cheney.

[Dr Michael]

Just when did a bunch of celibate old men in dresses become experts on sexual dynamics between men and women? I work on a college campus surrounded by attractive young women in skimpy clothes and I never have been tempted to rape anyone. In fact, the idea is repulsive to me (by the way, I am straight), as it is to most men.

[blogger 12]

The only one who should seriously be taking fashion advise is the Pope. I mean, seriously: that silly hat; ermine trimmed cape and Prada slippers? Give me a break! And while you're at it, tell the guy to get his teeth whitened. Brrrrrr.....scary.

[frank]

Although I don't agree, I understand what the priest ment. In mexico all the men hanging around on the streets are hound dogs or "manyakies" as I call them, U would see an ugly women walking and the guys look at her as if she's real hot. What the priest is basiclly saying is that men from mexico are hound dogs.