[Trigger warning: Mentions of harassment and rape.]
Growing up, I’ve seen girls being given the same “advice.” Boys will be boys. Your guy classmate suddenly moaned during your science report? Boys will be boys. Your neighbor cheated on his wife for the second time? Boys will be boys. That middle-aged man—who you’ve never met at all—suddenly threw you lewd stares at the mall? Boys will be boys. And on top of that, just be careful and take care of yourself, sweetie.
Wrong. Why are girls always given guilt-tripping warnings, but boys aren’t “advised” enough on what they shouldn’t do to girls?
If you remember, the #HijaAko movement revealed a huge portion from the numerous stories of harassment women experience online and offline. While rape culture has a lengthy history, we cannot deny that this can start with simple small talk.
A snapshot of this reality is magnified in the short film “Boy Talk.” Directed by Dary Ow and written by Cyrene Joyce Laurente and Bryan Nonay, this short by Wonderlast Films shows what possibly happens in a boy-to-boy conversation. In this case, it’s a tito pushing a “goal” for his young nephew: To “man him up.”
“Sa ganitong usapan na-to-tolerate ang pag-o-objectify sa mga babae,” Wonderlast Films writes. “Sa mga ganitong palihim na usapan, wala ang mga babae para i-defend ang kanilang sarili. Pero paano kung may isa, kahit isang lalaki ang mag-iba ng tono sa ganitong usapan?”
From judging a boy’s identity about his “ability” to “get many girlfriends” to constantly blaming women for their traumatic experiences, “Boy Talk” exhibits how a simple car ride can break or propagate a toxic culture that endangers women every day. By the way, that rearview mirror did its job well, too.
If you’re angry after watching this, then the “talk” did its job. But don’t just be mad—let it spur you to do something to change society. Though it closely depicts reality, it doesn’t mean it should stay that way. In case you didn’t know, someone is raped every hour in the Philippines.
Watch “Boy Talk” here:
Read more:
Warning “sexy ladies” about their outfits doesn’t make you anti-rape culture
Why women freeze when they get harassed
Just because our selfies “turn you on” doesn’t mean we’re “asking for it”
Still from “Boy Talk”