Women's safety anthem by Holly Near, a song about fighting back against abuse & reclaiming freedom. Hear the call to unite for a safe world. #英検2級 #TOEIC #CEFRB1 #WomensRights
“How often do men not feel safe walking alone on the street, day or night?”
I don’t know that there is a single definition of “feel safe” between women and men. Ie: no one scale that would allow a valid comparison. Generally, as a man, I don’t think about this at all, so I feel “safe”. But, women have greater constant awareness than men because there is more activity across the Corpus Callosum in females. Hence males are too one-hemisphere focused and may be somewhat ignorant to danger. This came to my attention one night when I walked over to the bank ATM in a strip mall. I was focused in my mind on a problem I was trying to work out and was approached by 4 guys half my age. The lead one asked if I had a “light”, which triggered my awareness that a robbery (or worse) was in play. That’s how ignorant of danger I was. I said “no” and for some reason decided to reach into my jacket pocket. The lead guy noticed that immediately and figured I was reaching for a gun I suppose. All that was in my pocket were my keys. But lesson learned and in the years since I guess I have avoided other problems. But, “feeling more safe”? This isn’t an immediate feeling in the male I think. More of a calculation.
Thank you for your comments, Q. Ever the scientist, you are right in asking for the definition of the construct, “safe”. Interesting point about the activity across the Corpus Callosum. Perhaps that’s because women have always had to look out for the safety of children… is it similar in the animal kingdom? Anyway, maybe “have a heightened awareness of danger” (another construct) would be more precise, but there is this sense because, generally, there is more of a threat to women walking along the street, parking lot, etc., than there is for men. Of course, the threat level varies in different cultures and countries. I have always felt safe walking late at night here in Japan. Not so in Spain or the U.S. Still, that feeling is with me when I’m out. It’s hard to explain, but it’s almost like I use the eyes in back of my head — or actually look behind me — to see who’s around. Hmm…🤔
I hope that was the end of your encounter with the 4 guys and that nothing happened!
It is a great strangeness for me to even think about my safety at night out here in the wilderness Louise, except, of course, for the wild boar there is nothing to make me fearful and thankfully they make such a noise it is generally easy to find a safe place to perch while they pass.
I wish I could say I have never had any experience of night predators in a city, I wish I could say women are as safe as men but they are not. I am not certain there is an answer to this either except there is safety in numbers, I was alone, had I not have been, I would not have been accosted.
Ironic, isn't it, Susie, that when you and I go out, we are more aware of other of nature's predators than human ones. I'm relatively in the countryside, and I understand what you mean. Even when walking in the city here in Japan, though, I'm a bit more careful/aware. Yes, safety in numbers is true, and I wish you had been with friends. It shouldn't have to be this way. x
This is so real. Us women need to feel more protected.
“How often do men not feel safe walking alone on the street, day or night?”
I don’t know that there is a single definition of “feel safe” between women and men. Ie: no one scale that would allow a valid comparison. Generally, as a man, I don’t think about this at all, so I feel “safe”. But, women have greater constant awareness than men because there is more activity across the Corpus Callosum in females. Hence males are too one-hemisphere focused and may be somewhat ignorant to danger. This came to my attention one night when I walked over to the bank ATM in a strip mall. I was focused in my mind on a problem I was trying to work out and was approached by 4 guys half my age. The lead one asked if I had a “light”, which triggered my awareness that a robbery (or worse) was in play. That’s how ignorant of danger I was. I said “no” and for some reason decided to reach into my jacket pocket. The lead guy noticed that immediately and figured I was reaching for a gun I suppose. All that was in my pocket were my keys. But lesson learned and in the years since I guess I have avoided other problems. But, “feeling more safe”? This isn’t an immediate feeling in the male I think. More of a calculation.
Thank you for your comments, Q. Ever the scientist, you are right in asking for the definition of the construct, “safe”. Interesting point about the activity across the Corpus Callosum. Perhaps that’s because women have always had to look out for the safety of children… is it similar in the animal kingdom? Anyway, maybe “have a heightened awareness of danger” (another construct) would be more precise, but there is this sense because, generally, there is more of a threat to women walking along the street, parking lot, etc., than there is for men. Of course, the threat level varies in different cultures and countries. I have always felt safe walking late at night here in Japan. Not so in Spain or the U.S. Still, that feeling is with me when I’m out. It’s hard to explain, but it’s almost like I use the eyes in back of my head — or actually look behind me — to see who’s around. Hmm…🤔
I hope that was the end of your encounter with the 4 guys and that nothing happened!
It is a great strangeness for me to even think about my safety at night out here in the wilderness Louise, except, of course, for the wild boar there is nothing to make me fearful and thankfully they make such a noise it is generally easy to find a safe place to perch while they pass.
I wish I could say I have never had any experience of night predators in a city, I wish I could say women are as safe as men but they are not. I am not certain there is an answer to this either except there is safety in numbers, I was alone, had I not have been, I would not have been accosted.
Ironic, isn't it, Susie, that when you and I go out, we are more aware of other of nature's predators than human ones. I'm relatively in the countryside, and I understand what you mean. Even when walking in the city here in Japan, though, I'm a bit more careful/aware. Yes, safety in numbers is true, and I wish you had been with friends. It shouldn't have to be this way. x
Thankfully I escaped unscathed physically Louise, he was drunk, it made me cautious of drunken men ever after though.