Bangalore Molestation Case: Why As A Father Of Two Girls, It Is Hitting Me Where It Hurts

I should think that one of the toughest tests as a parent comes when you have to explain to a child why bad things happen in the world. Especially if they happen to seemingly innocuous, harmless people.

Having spent the new year’s weekend away at a friends’ estate near Bangalore, we returned to the city to the news of the molestations on new year’s eve. While I was hoping my four-year-old would not overhear any of the bluster, the sound and the fury surrounding it, happy to report that between her grandparents, aunt, uncle, mother and I, we were able to prevent any impact.

That said, I wonder now, if we should have told her. If we should have made her aware at this age that there’s a big, bad world out there or if we should protect her and hope that she’ll never have to go through what some of those girls had to bear.

It’s essential that as a father of two girls, I ensure that they know that boys can’t be boys and do as they choose. Yet, for me, it’s a daily internal battle – do I talk to them about what my gender is capable of or do I shelter them? To be honest, I don’t think there’s a right answer.