No, all middle school girls aren't wearing yoga pants to look sexy.

[redqueen]

Some idiotic woman was ranting on the radio this morning about how schools are right to ban yoga pants because it's 'too distracting' for boys, and "those girls know exactly what they're doing".

I couldn't believe my ears. I'm used to the 'girls, you are responsible for what boys think about' bullshit, but this accusation that they're all doing it on purpose? Seriously?!

This is the flip side of the issue of hypersexualization. Yes, bikinis cut for adult figures but marketed to toddlers are inappropriate imo. And there are plenty of other examples as well. But sometimes, as in the case of yoga pants, these girls are thinking of comfort, not looking hot for boys. Some of them might be, sure, but why the hell should all girls already start getting the 'she asked for it' treatment, even at this young age?

I am so sick and tired of girls being saddled with the responsibility for the sexualization that exists solely in the minds of boys and men (and patriarchy-infested women).

Women can't objectify themselves, because society does that for them. They don't get a choice. They can play along and get rewarded, or not play along and deal with the consequences, but no matter what they do, they will be blamed for what really is the result of living in a society which is orineted from the male gaze.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. This nails it for me

I am so sick and tired of girls being saddled with the responsibility for the sexualization that exists solely in the minds of boys and men (and patriarchy-infested women).

Also - in the Tri-State Greater NYC area - a local news story just did a story how for BOTH teenage men and women -

'dressy sweats' are in -

blue jeans/denim wear is out

Know why? Comfort.

[redqueen]

4. Also affordability and lack of status/class markers.

Jeans can act as a signal to differentiate the kids whose parents will blow $150 on jeans from those whose parents can't / won't. With sweats and yoga pants, that's not an issue.

[ismnotwasm]

2. Wasn't there just a school banning these

Because of " distracting" young boys? I can't remember where it was posted, it was "leggings" I thought.

The idea is stupid. Yoga pants are comfortable and soft and go with anything.

[redqueen]

5. Yep, it seems to be a popular trend.

Which is what prompted the discussion on this radio show.

Thankfully one of the men on the show pointed out that it doesn't matter what the girls wear, boys who are comfortable with objectifying girls will do it regardless.

[Divernan]

7. "Leggings" are skin tight and definitely not yoga pants.

Scroll down and check out the skin tight, spandex leggings. Never seen these in yoga classes.
http://www.onlyleggings.com/?gclid=CLSIy_jq4r0CFahlOgod5QgASA

[ismnotwasm]

9. *sigh*

Haven Middle School Bans Leggings & Yoga Pants -- Too Distracting For Boys

The letter to the school from an outraged parent:

Good morning Ms. Roberson,

We are writing with a concern regarding the revised dress policy. Our daughter came home last night upset that in addition to leggings and shorts, the girls are now also not allowed to wear yoga pants at school.

The reason, she explained, is that these items of clothing are "too distracting" for the boys.


This policy clearly shifts the blame for boy's behavior or lack of academic concentration, directly onto the girls.


We are frankly shocked at this antiquated and warped message that is being sent to the kids. Under no circumstances should girls be told that their clothing is responsible for boy's bad behaviors. This kind of message lands itself squarely on a continuum that blames girls and women for assault by men. It also sends the message to boys that their behaviours are excusable, or understandable given what the girls are wearing. And if the sight of a girl's leg is too much for boys at Haven to handle, then your school has a much bigger problem to deal with.


We really hope that you will consider the impact of these policies and how they contribute to rape culture. Girls should be able to feel safe and unashamed about what they wear. And boys need to be corrected and taught when they harass girls.


Certainly comfortable clothing like yoga pants and leggings, which entirely cover up girl's legs, are not the problem but the mindset of girls being responsible for sexual harassment or "distraction" is.

http://evanston.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/leggings--yoga-pants-banned-at-haven-middle-school

[riqster]

3. My wife has six pairs of yoga pants (yogii?)

Not once has she mentioned them being sexy. She always says "comfy".

The people making such a fuss are projecting their own dirty minds onto women, in my opinion.

[redqueen]

6. Yeah, I think that is going to describe the majority of women.

I'm sure there are some who like the way they look in them but honestly this whole discussion reminds me of something John Berger said about vanity.

People like to look nice. That doesn't mean they're asking to be objectified.

[riqster]

8. ^^^THIS^^^

"People like to look nice. That doesn't mean they're asking to be objectified."

Damn straight.

[Revanchist]

14. When my wife is looking for comfort she usually buys sweatpants from the men's/boy's

section due to the lack of pockets on the majority of the clothes designed for women. She doesn't like to carry a purse so keeps her essentials in a men's wallet and won't buy a pair of pants that lacks a place to put it.

[riqster]

15. Mine loves purses. So pockets aren't important to her.

[CrispyQ]

10. patriarchy-infested women

I shouldn't be surprised how many there are; they've been soaking in it since they were born. But I am.

"...which is orineted from the male gaze."
Turning into the male grope, evidently, from that other thread about young women accepting sexual violence as the norm.

[redqueen]

12. Exactly, we are all raised in it

You don't just see it and decide 'well that shouldn't be there' and its gone. It's a process that takes years, ridding ourselves of our internalized patriarchy. (I was gonna say 'internal handmaidens' but then I remembered some people don't like that term. I find it perfectly apt myself.)

[BainsBane]

11. When I want to look sexy

somehow my go to outfit isn't yoga pants.

Seriously though, excellent point about holding girls responsible for male sexual desire.

[redqueen]

13. Yeah, it's comfort that most of the teens I know are concerned with.

Hell the cheerleaders run around with mini skirts on and somehow that's not deemed too distracting for male minds.

It's such bullshit.