Last evening my two-year-old daughter Diya, refused to kiss and hug a relative visiting our home. She politely said hello, shook their hands and then walked away. In Indian culture, this is disrespectful, disobedient and rude.
But I am proud of her. I respect her decision and did not force her to hug. I am teaching her consent culture.
We create consent culture when we value the feelings of people we are interacting with either casually or professionally. It’s about respecting personal and emotional boundaries every time.
In a sexual context lack of consent is RAPE. Only when consent has been vocalized, should a physical relationship move to the next level. It’s about mutual satisfaction and not just focusing on yourself.
When we talk about the root causes of gender-based violence, more often than not, we discuss patriarchy as being the number one reason.
Boys and girls not respecting each other starts when we as a society ignore the importance of consent culture.
In our daily life, there are plenty of non-sex related things we can do to model the concept of consent to our children early on in their lives. For example, when a relative wants a hug & your child doesn’t want to, it’s okay for you to teach them to politely decline.
Our child’s inputs matter. Let’s reinforce it by asking for their input in all kinds of everyday decisions. Like adults, children too are the boss of their own bodies.
Let’s face it, sex talks can be awkward. Most parents don’t know how to have the ‘sex talk’ with their children. And most kids want to ignore it.
But how can we talk about consent, if we don’t talk about sex?
It starts with comprehensive sex education at home and school. Educational institutions and media can play a pivotal role in engaging parents and to promote a culture of free talk. Starting early is very helpful.
As parents we must see ourselves as the facilitator to appropriate amounts of information. And if you still find it hard, examine your own shame-baggage about sex & try to get rid of it before passing it on to your children.
“I wish someone would have told me it’s not my responsibility to please others at my own expense”, says Angie Aker (a founding mind behind Upworthy)
“I was told, do something which will trouble a girl n that will be your worst day. I got all my #cues”, says Anand Mangnale (Activist, India)
“You don't need others approval to feel better about yourself!”, says Kavita Chintapalli (#sayftychat host, Sayfty)
“That sex is a great thing and as much about my pleasure as the guys”, says Subuhi Safvi, (Feminist, India)
“It's OK to say "NO" if you are uncomfortable, unhappy or unsettled in any situation. Trust your gut”, says Namrata Sadhvani (Blogger, India)
“Saying no is as acceptable as saying yes! Respect your decision & don't second guess it because you're a small adult”, says Monica Jasusa (Twitter User, India)
“I shouldn't be always seeking consent from others for things that I am convinced about”, says Meetu Khanduja (India)
Dating life will become healthier and more regular when consent culture becomes the norm. When girls decline a date, people won’t think it’s okay to keep asking because of how pop culture portrays the nice-guy dynamic. A ‘No’ will be a NO and not thought of as ‘trying hard to get’.
Boys will stop taking advantage of a drunk, passed out girl and just let her sleep. Girls will learn earlier how fulfilling sex can be when it doesn’t leave them reeling with pain, doubt and shame. They will hook up without being slut-shamed or feeling unsafe. Young people will find relationships mutually satisfying and joyous.
Hopefully, there won’t be any guilt, rapes or ‘misread in the moment’ Aziz Ansari stories.
Relationships will be more lasting and stand more life tests. And future generations will be able to accomplish so much more without carrying the baggage and unhealthiness of rape culture.
Not just dating, marriages and all other relationships will become more fulfilling and less taxing on everybody.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM).
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Centre: “Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact - including sexual assault and rape. Including words and actions like sexual harassment, catcall, and non-consensual sharing of private images such as “revenge porn.”
In fact, sexual violence affects us all directly or indirectly. Anyone including children teens, adults and seniors can experience sexual violence.
It therefore becomes imperative for us to imagine and implement a world of consent culture.
Yes, learning and teaching consent culture is not easy. There are no manuals and a lot of taboo and shame wrapped up in matters of sex everywhere.
But let’s start by examining our own lives and practicing consent in the smallest ways. It’s OKAY to change one’s mind at ANY POINT in time.
(Shruti Kapoor is an award-winning gender equality activist and founder of Sayfty - an organization to educate and empower the women and girls of India against violence.)
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