That same DoJ report states men are much more likely to be victims of murder, robbery, and both simple and aggravated assault, than women. Both genders have reason to be cautious around other humans ( not so much bears).
In other words, humans are more dangerous to other humans than bears are to humans. Noted.
All of which is beside the point of the poor National Park Service worrying about heatstroke, drowning, and other things that actually happen to folks on their hiking trails.
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Yes, two things can be true at the same time. I wouldnât think Iâd have to say that.
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Thereâs been a lot of talk lately about how men are suffering from an identity crisis. They used to be regarded as heroes because they were the protectors of women. Growing up I definitely was taught that Godâs role for men was to protect women.
But protect us against what? Bears?
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If your first thought was to ask the question as to what kind of bear it was you just donât get it.
I will flip this around for anyone who just didnât jump right to bear. If your daughter was in the woods would you rather they come upon a bear or man? Then also answer if your daughter was in the woods would you rather they come upon a bear or woman?
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Since we have established that bears are really not likely to be harmful to anyone, the answer for both genders should be a preference to encounter a bear versus any human of any gender, statistically.
Of course, that ignores the possibility that another human might actually assist you in the event you became ill, injured, lost, dehydrated, etc. There could be a positive to a random encounter with a human not possible in a random encounter with a bear.
And would you rather she met up with a male human in the woods, or a female human?
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Iâm just amazed that both of my sons are summarily lumped into the ârapist in waitâ category despite the fact that they would take violent action against any man they came upon that was raping or injuring a female. As parents, we taught them to protect those that need it. Perhaps we were wrong to do that. It seems we should have an updated 2024 discussion with them.
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I am certain she has met up with both at various times. ( no bears. Yet). I really donât have a strong preference, as I donât think she ( or I) assess the likely risk in any one random encounter as significant. Pretty sure she doesnât run alone at night, or in areas known to be crime-ridden ( nor do her male classmates).
Yep. Growing up I was taught this was the natural role of men. To protect womenâŠagainst other men. Men were our heroes and we should be grateful.
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Yet, my sonâs donât care if youâre grateful. They wouldnât do it to be your âhero.â They would do it because you were in danger. If it happened in the woods, theyâd take care of the issue, help you to a safe place, and move along. No fanfare.
*Edited to add that my LEO son might stick around to take care of the legal issues at this point in his life.
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Yet they are still viewed suspiciously by many, as ârapists in waitingâ, as you noted.
Not all boys are fortunate to have good parents. I volunteer at the local Youth Detention Center. We throw a birthday party each month for the kids (99% boys, itâs been many months since thereâs been even one girl) who are celebrating another year. We give them cake, ice cream, and a few simple gifts like shampoo and candy. They are so appreciative. Many of them have never had a birthday cake! Almost all of them are polite and personable. But theyâre not in the facility for stealing bikes. Theyâve done some horrible things (like killing their grandmother, no joke).
If you saw them on the street, you would assume that they were the average teenaged boys. But theyâre not. And thatâs the point. You cannot tell which male has killed his grandmother by looking at him. Thatâs why Iâm wary.
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I never said your sons expected anyone to be grateful. But I do find it interesting that their parents seem miffed that women canât tell from a mile off that their sons are one of the hero men rather than one of the bad men.
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Anyone remember Harvard admitting a woman who killed her parents?
You cant necessarily tell from college applications, either.
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Exactly. Ted Bundy looked like the all-american male.
Fact is women are made uncomfortable, attacked, and raped by men.
Both my daughters have driven to and from college and sometimes by themselves. The minute they get on the road I am worried. I tell them to constantly check in with me. I track on the phone. But back 30+ years ago I drove over twice the distance and I doubt my folks worried much at all and I didnât have a phone to call for help.
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And crime rates were likely higher then than they are now.
But anxiety rates were lower.
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I have sons, no daughters. Iâm confused why people are getting their backs up because women are aware of their surroundings and in certain situations view men with caution. My sons arenât confused - they get it. There are so many examples on this thread of women being harassed, groped etc from very early ages. The history of women includes a lot of victimization at the hands of men.
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In my observation, many men classify death as the worst thing that could happen to you; many women would say there are things far worse. So many seem to be miffed to hear womenâs feelings/beliefs out loud; some even try to say weâre wrong for feeling that way. I realize thereâs a bit of anger realizing women think the worst of men in a split second, but thatâs many womenâs actual feelings. Yes, youâre lumped in in an instant because if we make the wrong assessment in a matter of seconds, it puts us in harms way. To get a sense of what itâs like, try walking down a dark side street in Baltimore (my former city) at night. You need to have heightened awareness of everything around you. Thatâs what itâs like for many women just parking at Walmart. If you donât understand how women are telling you they feel, consider it a blessing. The caution/concern many women carry is in our fiber. This isnât irrational fear or heightened anxiety from social media; for many, itâs a survival instinct ingrained from very real life experiences that happened decades ago, long before the age of internet. It may be a silly question, but I think itâs been a great catalyst to discuss what really happens, the uncomfortable reality that is rarely discussed in polite conversation.
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Itâs not about being a hero. That seems almost pejorative in this case, which is an entirely different matter.
Iâm not miffed, Iâm astounded by the misandry. It has become more prevalent on CC.
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Just make sure that survival instinct is focused on the most likely actual risks posed in everyday living-from intimate partners, near your home, etc.