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[–]squintypreyeyes[S] 18 insightful - 1 fun18 insightful - 0 fun19 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Women are taught to disproportionately fear certain situations, while being pressured to ignore their discomfort in others. For example, if someone in a friend group makes creepy comments towards me, I will probably be pressured to brush it off, not make a big deal, he didn't mean it like that, etc.

But if I say that I'm going to walk to the gas station at 2am to grab some energy drinks, something that would actually give me some enjoyment, maybe help me meet a deadline, everyone gasps and acts like I'm going on a suicide mission. I learn to feel afraid even though I've never had a bad experience.

[–]Feather 12 insightful - 1 fun12 insightful - 0 fun13 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I think this is a good point. I've thought a lot about it because I'm the type to go on a walk at 2AM to go get some energy drinks. I decided I am willing to put up with that risk profile. So far, I've been touched inappropriately zero times on those walks. I can't even count how many times I've been touched inappropriately by "friends" at gatherings.

I understand why some women wouldn't be comfortable with that risk profile though. A groper at a party is less likely to put you in mortal danger than a stranger who stalks you in the middle of the night. So even though the former is waaaay more statistically common, the latter has worse outcomes when it does happen.

[–]jelliknight 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I agree. If you have a gut instinct you should absolutely listen and value that (what the gift of fear is about). But not going out at night etc is a socially enforced behavior that is designed to keep women controlled. Statistically you're probably more in danger from men you already know.

[–]Lyssa 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I can agree with that very much and I've been in much more dangerous situations with familiar than with strange men, safe for one exeption.