Sexuality & Sexual Health: Miscellaneous / Question
Published: May 14, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
a stranger (we go to the same school but i never spoke to him) made sexual remarks about me while we were taking public transportation. i didn't react because we were in public and i didn't want to make a scene but i regret it because it really hurt my feelings and every time i see him now i get really angry. he was sitting across from me with another guy, who aked if he would ever have sex with me and he responded that "he wouldn't...because i wasn't his type...with a six pack, maybe...on a really bad day." should i say something? i don't even know him am i overreacting?
Signed: Guy On My Bus Made A Sexual Remark About Me
Dear Guy On My Bus Made A Sexual Remark About Me,
TeenHealthFX can appreciate how enraged you must be feeling about the comments made by these guys on your bus, and we do not think you are overreacting at all by being angry and hurt by their statements. They were rude, inconsiderate, disrespectful, degrading, and downright hostile towards you in what they said – their behavior could even be looked at as sexual harassment. They definitely have significant problems in how they view sex and women, as well as in knowing how to conduct themselves in public. And FX hopes that you do not view their comments as a statement about your worth – their comments are definitely not a reflection about you, but rather a VERY poor reflection about who they are as people.
FX definitely recommends that you speak to your parents and/or a school counselor about this. An adult definitely needs to intervene with these two guys so they are clear how dangerous their thinking is and that discussions like the one they had on the bus will not be tolerated. This is serious enough to bring to the attention of the school administration, and you should be able to feel safe from this kind of behavior in school or on a school bus. It is important that you use your anger in a healthy way to advocate for your rights in a situation like this by reporting this kind of behavior to the right people.
FX is sorry that you were put in such a terrible position, but hopes that you feel empowered enough to stand up for yourself and how you deserve to be treated by others. So talk to a trusted adult about this as soon as possible and definitely do not let this slide!
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 38% were speeding at the time of the crash and 24% had been drinking.
