In the privileged world of prep schools and fraternities, it has been tacitly accepted that excessive drinking and inappropriate, aggressive behavior toward women are somehow funny, charming and excusable because of alcohol, moneyed parents and the “old boys network” that supports a “boys will be boys” attitude.
The allegations against Brett Kavanaugh have opened that previously closed door on this code of silence. I hope that our senators, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, will become part of the solution in finding ways to stop this aggressive and inappropriate behavior toward women and judiciously decide to treat the victims of this behavior with respect. There should be consequences even when this behavior may be 30 years old.
A lifetime appointment making decisions that affect women should be given to someone beyond reproach. Powerful men must become part of the solution and stop continuing the “boys will be boys” attitude and providing rewards to someone with a wink and a nod.
It is time for our senators and others running for office to actively acknowledge that the world has changed and they need to represent that change or become a relic of the past.
Katherine Sheehan, Midway