Recently, a Reddit thread gave us a somber look at how women were when they were first sexualized.
Trigger warning: This post contains examples of sexual harassment.
In the AskReddit subreddit, user I_LIKE_LIMA_BEANS posted:
“Girls and women of Reddit: how old were you the first time someone made a sexually inappropriate comment to you? How did you react, and did it affect how you saw yourself or acted?”
After Framing Britney Spears was released on FX this past weekend, this conversation is more relevant than ever. One of the many shocking and heartbreaking points the documentary touched on was how adults have sexualized Spears most of her life. She’s not the only one.
Many female-identifying Redditors came to the thread to share their stories.
The post ended up receiving 6.1K comments. Below are some from the thread.
1.
“I was 7 when some weird-ass guy wanted me to show him the girl’s changing room at the swimming pool. Luckily I had the common sense to go looking for my teacher.
I was 11 when the ‘normal’ harassment started with guys twice to thrice my age tried to hit me up and go out with me. The very first guy I remember trying to chat me up in the bus tried to convince me to tell him I was 18, when it finally sank in that I wasn’t lying when I said I was 11, he had the graciousness to go completely white in his face and flee the bus at the next stop.
I was 13 when a guy at the bus stop tried to convince me to go on a love-week-end to Paris with him. He was easily 40.” – BerrriesAndMe
2.
“13 or 14. Guy in his early 20’s comes to me, asks if I’m a virgin because he only dates virgins. Me being a shy timid person just stared at him and couldn’t form any reply. Just froze on the spot.” – Countess_Yiffy
3.
“I was 5. Was standing on jungle gym on the playground And an older boy came up to me and grabbed my spandex and underwear and stretched out my underwear and looked at my privates. I did not know how to use my voice or stand up for myself. I climbed off the jungle gym and sat under it and cried. I remember feeling so embarrassed and violated. I never told anyone. Just remembered that and will probably talk to my therapist about it.” – siennasolo
4.
“I was 12, at a BBQ my parents were having. I was in a bathing suit because we had a pool. A friend of a friend of my dads said he’d like to leave his wife there and take me home instead.
I didn’t say anything because I was so ashamed. I put clothes on and stayed in my room the rest of the party – even though an adult overheard him and he was forced to leave.” – sassylittlespoon
5.
“I remember when I was 9 or 10 I went to the beach with a new two-piece swimsuit that I was super happy to wear because it had sparkles and made me look like a mermaid. It was one of those where the bottom part had a skirt attached so I liked to twirl to see the skirt twirl. Some dude went “Do that again, sweetheart!” and then whistles and said something about “legs for days” I remember being really embarrassed and ashamed and didn’t want to tell anyone because my parents would make it a big deal, and then it would be my fault for ruining the beach day for my brothers.
I didn’t wear the swimsuit in public ever again.” – gentlybeepingheart
6.
“About 12. On my period, looking and feeling like Shyte. Simply walking home from the shops. Was wearing jeans and an oversized T-shirt. This asshole and his late 20-something year old friends start hooting their car, and hanging out the windows while catcalling me. Ignore it. When they suddenly come around again and drive slowly past me and they keep saying how sexy they think I am. I had a moment where I though “ oh god this is how people end up getting kidnapped. There are four of them, and one of me. Even if I run I won’t make it very far.” I started walking faster, and eventually, I assume that they got bored, and sped off. I basically ran home. I have similar incidents but this was the one that came to mind first.” – indigoshaman
7.
“I was 7. I had this beautiful dress that had a full circle skirt and I spun around in it because how can you not when you’re 7 and you love your dress?
My uncle’s friend (M, 50s) was there and he told me to spin again because he could see my underwear. I remember just feeling so gross and afraid. I told my mom and she was livid. We left and I was never allowed near that man.
I also couldn’t wear that dress afterwards without thinking about how that incident made me feel. It definitely took a little bit of my innocence away.” – seeseecinnamon
8.
“I was 11 when my crush told me I had dick-sucking lips. When I finally figured out what he meant I tried to minimize the size of my lips for a really long time.” – azazel-13
9.
“12. Just some random guy in a grocery store. He said, something like was I happy that my boobs where coming in.” – Cassandra_Canmore
10.
“‘Speak to me like that again and I’m gonna be the one going to prison'” – a_killer_roomba