Raising Boys to Respect Women: Preventing Eve Teasing Starts at Home

When it comes to preventing eve teasing and creating a more respectful society, the foundation starts at home. As parents, we play a crucial role in shaping how our sons view and treat women.

Respect isn’t something boys automatically learn as they grow, it’s taught, modelled, and reinforced every day. The way they see their mothers, sisters, teachers, and female friends being treated influences how they behave. So, how do we raise boys who respect women, not just in words but in actions?

Children learn more from what they see than what they hear. If a boy grows up in a home where women are respected, valued, and treated as equals, he’s more likely to carry those values into the outside world.

• Show him what mutual respect looks like in your relationships.

• Avoid making sexist jokes or comments, even casually.

• Teach him that household responsibilities are shared, not gender-based.

Respect starts with understanding personal boundaries. Teach your son that:

• No means no, whether it’s a friend not wanting to play or a girl refusing unwanted attention.

• Everyone has the right to their own space, and touching someone without their permission is never okay.

• If someone expresses discomfort, he should stop immediately and apologise.

These lessons should begin early and continue as he grows.

Boys often receive messages that being “macho” means being dominant or aggressive, while emotions and kindness are seen as weaknesses. This mindset can lead to disrespectful behaviour toward women.

Help your son break free from these stereotypes:

• Let him express his emotions without shaming him.

• Teach him that strength comes from respect, not control.

• Encourage friendships with girls based on equality and mutual understanding.

Boys may witness or even unknowingly participate in teasing without realising the harm it causes. Explain to them:

• Eve teasing is a form of harassment, not “just a joke.”

• It can make girls feel unsafe, uncomfortable, and powerless.

• Laughing along or staying silent when others do it is also wrong.

Use real-life examples, news stories, or even movies to highlight the impact of such behaviour.

If your son sees someone making inappropriate comments or teasing a girl, he should feel empowered to step in. Encourage him to:

• Call out bad behaviour when safe to do so.

• Support the girl being teased by standing with her.

• Inform a teacher or trusted adult if the situation escalates.

Let him know that standing up for what’s right doesn’t make him weak—it makes him courageous.

Movies, music, and social media can sometimes send the wrong message about women. Pay attention to what your son is watching and listening to. If a film normalises harassment or objectifies women, discuss it with him. Ask:

• “Do you think that was respectful?”

• “How do you think the girl felt in that scene?”

Encouraging critical thinking helps him develop a respectful perspective.

Positive reinforcement goes a long way. When your son shows kindness, stands up for someone, or treats women with respect, acknowledge it. Say things like:

• “I’m proud of how you stood up for your friend.”

• “It was really thoughtful of you to listen and respect her feelings.”

This encourages him to continue behaving respectfully in all situations.

Teaching respect isn’t a one-time talk—it’s an ongoing conversation. As he grows, new situations will arise where he’ll need guidance. Make sure he always feels comfortable discussing these topics with you.

Raising boys to respect women is one of the most potent ways to prevent eve teasing and build a better society. By teaching our sons about kindness, consent, and equality, we ensure they grow into men who uplift, rather than undermine, the women around them.

It all starts at home. Let’s raise boys who make the world safer and more respectful for everyone.