Why do I always feel anxious?

Why do I always feel as though older men are checking me out?

• I don't know why...but whenever I go out or do anything, I always feel like older men are looking at me or "checking me out". I'm a 15 year old girl, and it sounds SO strange, but it's true. Whether I'm at the bus stop or just walking around town, I always notice an older man...whether it's a 20 or 40 year eyeing me weirdly, as if they're interested in me or something. I've noticed this since I was thirteen. At first I didn't think much of it, but as soon as I got into high school and found out what 'checking out' looks like, I started feeling quite violated because I realized that this was what older men had been doing to me for a while. I've always felt different. I've always felt like there was something about me that distinguished me from others my age. I don't know what it is. I guess I do look older than others my age. I mean I think I have a more mature face and body than others my age. Also...I get extremely shy around men. My father and I have a toxic relationship, and it's really taken a toll on how I feel and behave around older men. I just can't give them eye contact for some reason. Besides me and my dad's horrible relationship, I think the media has also taken an effect on how I perceive men. There's just so many stories about rapes, and sexual assaults, and older men being with young girls. It's just really messed me up...and I don't think the fact that my closest cousin was molested by her step father helped either. I was really naive...but I now realize that men these days can be very sick minded. You never know what's going through their mind. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if every man I suspected of checking me out, really was checking me out. For example, the other day my friend and I were at the theatres, waiting in a line for a movie, and there was a group of guys in their late 20's standing right in front of us, and I noticed that a couple of them were staring at me. And not just blankly staring at me... I mean they actually had certain facial expressions, like they were interested in me or something. And I wasn't just imagining because after we left the line, my friend teased me about how the guys in line were "checking me out", not realizing that I felt pretty violated. These types of things have happened to me numerous times, with older men of varying ages. It's made me feel very self conscious and uneasy. It's also made me feel like all men have nasty thoughts about me in their head. I'm just sick of always having to keep my guard up, no matter where I go. Please give responses that I can resonate with! Thanks! :-)

• Answer:

  How many more times are you going to ask this question? You seem like a vain, attention seeking little girl.