Read on Twitter
(TW sexual abuse)
Why Latino men dating young girls and children is sexually predatory behavior, and how to stop it. A thread;
Why Latino men dating young girls and children is sexually predatory behavior, and how to stop it. A thread;
Read the whole thread before commenting.
(NOTE: There’s waaay more information than what can fit on this thread, please do your own research. I am speaking on my knowledge and what I know, please feel free to add if you have more information.
(NOTE: There’s waaay more information than what can fit on this thread, please do your own research. I am speaking on my knowledge and what I know, please feel free to add if you have more information.
I am speaking on Latino/Mexican culture because it is the community that I belong to. There are different types of abuse towards women,trans women, LGBTQ+ communities that were not mentioned, but still impact our communities)
Sexual abuse of minors/women is not new, it can be taken back to the times of colonization. We need to understand the origins of sexual violence first. Let’s bring it back to when colonizers first set foot on what is now known as Mexico.
Colonizers would rape and murder women and children in order to obtain power. Power over the indigenous communities would lead to their submission and control. Power over indigenous bodies was a forceful way to have dominance.
Colonizers have continued to dehumanize women and indigenous communities as an excuse for their continuous sexual exploitation.
After time, the continuous rape and grooming of young girls/women have become internalized, “normalized” and embedded into Latinx culture to the point where it is repeatedly enacted into the communities. (Machismo is also a product of colonialism, but that’s for another day).
It is common to say that in Mexican culture, older men date/marry young girls/women. What we know as “viejo rabo verde.” A term meaning that an older man seeks some type of relationship with a young girl/ woman (code for perv imo). It is still not okay.
Male identities hold power, whether people admit it or not. Power as a teacher, coach, pastor, or even president (fuck tr*mp). Individuals who prey on young girls/women are generally acquaintances, friends, partners, and other people they know.
When does it stop being predatorial? I don’t know all the answers, but I do know that if they are NOT old enough to vote, legally buy cigarettes, or graduate high school a man should NOT be trying to approach young girls/children for any type of relationship.
Why do people get so defensive when we call out predators they know? Well, part of it is because it becomes personal. It’s not just a structural or institutional problem, but a matter that the community must address.
How do we stop this behavior?
1. Acknowledge that it exists
Maybe your aunt married an older man when they were young, and they deem it normal. Most of the time it is not.
1. Acknowledge that it exists
Maybe your aunt married an older man when they were young, and they deem it normal. Most of the time it is not.
2. Call it out.
If you see predatory behavior tell the individual or an adult.
That pervy uncle that tries to dance with your 14 year old friends at your Quinceanera, it’s not okay.
If you see predatory behavior tell the individual or an adult.
That pervy uncle that tries to dance with your 14 year old friends at your Quinceanera, it’s not okay.
3. Do not protect predators.
This behavior needs to be stopped. If you know a predator, don’t invite them to family functions. Request they seek help.
This behavior needs to be stopped. If you know a predator, don’t invite them to family functions. Request they seek help.
4. Do not blame young girls.
Young girls cannot consent to relationships with grown men. They are not “mature for their age,” they weren’t “handan de calientes” It’s not their fault.
Young girls cannot consent to relationships with grown men. They are not “mature for their age,” they weren’t “handan de calientes” It’s not their fault.
5. Tell your male friends to denounce this behavior.
Men need to tell other men this is not okay. Men should not be protecting these individuals.
Men need to tell other men this is not okay. Men should not be protecting these individuals.
6. Do not get defensive.
I get it, it’s hard to not be defensive about our beliefs and people we care about. It still doesn’t make it okay. Reflect on why you’re being defensive, and how you can better educate yourself on this topic.
I get it, it’s hard to not be defensive about our beliefs and people we care about. It still doesn’t make it okay. Reflect on why you’re being defensive, and how you can better educate yourself on this topic.
7. Continue learning.
We all need to unlearn these behaviors, it takes time, effort and commitment. Predatory behavior is not acceptable by any means. You can do it! Seek guidance if you’re stuck, we all want these issues to change.
We all need to unlearn these behaviors, it takes time, effort and commitment. Predatory behavior is not acceptable by any means. You can do it! Seek guidance if you’re stuck, we all want these issues to change.
