Dear Editor,

I read the article and editorial about “Little Girls” parties with great sadness. I am relieved to see this out in the open and not ignored, though.

However, I think that one vital thing was missing from both pieces – talking to the young men about their roles in events like this. While the editor states it is never the victim’s fault, which is indisputable, I find it ironic that no one mentioned the need for parents and other adults to discuss with the teen boys and young men who live here on the island about why this is wrong, and not simply fun and games.

However inadvertent, not including boys in the discussion reiterates the idea that these “Little Girls” events are a female problem, which proves the editor’s point that as a society, no matter how broadminded we profess to be, the victim is often blamed.

In addition to talking to boys about these parties and how to treat women in general, the upstanding young men here have a role to play too. They can, and should, be watching out for female friends, sisters, and girlfriends. If they are part of the buddy system, then they become part of the solution.