This problem goes a lot deeper than scantily clad girls and young women. There is a heart issue here that no one can regulate or address by simply saying, “I think it’s wrong.” Young women and girls who feel good about showing off their bodies to make money — even just extra tips — have been told that their worth is dependent on their looks. Many of them have fathers who are distant, abusive or simply absent and so the attention of any man boosts their ego and seems to fill that hole within them that so desires love and acceptance. Our culture accepts the flaunting of sexuality so the girls don’t look into themselves to find out why they enjoy this inappropriate attention.

The owners of these coffee stands are exploiting these injured hearts whether they know it or not.

Maybe by taking the time to establish relationships with these girls and women we may begin to address the question of why. Simply “yelling across the fence” will do no good. We need to cross those fences we place between us and the people we may look down upon and reach out to them. We all have young people in our sphere of influence who would benefit from a little of our time and attention.

Kimberly Loomis

Marysville