Mindset must change

Our chickens are coming home to roost—this phrase comes to mind as the revealing of sexual inappropriateness of men toward women seems to have reached epidemic proportion. The script we use to socialize our boys has long been different from the script we use to socialize our girls.

Our boys have, by precept and example, been taught that girls are inferior and that it is acceptable to treat them in a way that is a continuous reminder. Our girls have been assigned their own special place in the family, in the church, in the community, in the work force, in the world. Our boys become men and our girls become women and generally the beat goes on. The effort to keep women “in their place” is a good indicator that the socialization of old has taken root.

The behaviors that are currently being revealed are not unique to the generation indicated. I sincerely hope that this is the last epidemic of abusive treatment of women.

What can we do? It’s going to take a change of mindset. When the mindset changes, the behavior is destined to change. I challenge every venue with the authority to socialize humanity (family of origin, extended family, church, etc.) to begin training in ways that will cure the epidemic that manifests itself in extremely wicked and cruel acts against humankind.

LOU TURNER Jacksonville