Dear Readers,
I noted with interest Mr. Russell Simmons’ letter to the editor of this newspaper on Monday, October 3, reacting to one of my recent columns.
His main point seemed to be that women would command more respect if they did not dress provocatively. He compared the way women dress in public to the way men dress. However, he failed to take into account the difference between the way men and women react to members of the opposite sex.
It seems to be built into the human psyche that men notice women first for their physical (sexual) characteristics, sexually attractive or unattractive, and are more inclined to want to become acquainted with women they find sexually attractive. Only after making that initial contact do they take notice of a woman’s inner qualities such as what Mr. Simmons described as “brains” and “grace.”
On the other hand, while some women may possibly find a provocatively-dressed man sexually attractive, most women are more inclined to actually want to become acquainted with men who present a more respectable (responsible) appearance.
I am not saying this is right or wrong, just that seems it to be how things are. Perhaps if men behaved differently towards women, women would behave more like Mr. Simmons wants them to.
And, just for the record, I thank Mr. Simmons for his interest in my column.
