Quote Originally Posted by shootingstar View Post
I also wonder how much guys worry/think about their own personal safety compared to women. If some women are afraid to cycle solo, walk alone at night, etc. because we will get assaulted, etc. It says volumes about a woman's perception of the world in general vs. men just on one's own daily personal bodily safety. We haven't progressed in this area...it could be argued there are just more technological tools for predators to do their thing.
I am always watchful of my personal safety. Especially since moving here, I've had numerous incidents that make me extremely aware, and I always carry a weapon. I don't walk in my neighborhood, I walk to the park (small town, lots of families and other people walking there, versus some parts of my neighborhood which can be rather transient with rental homes). I don't cycle alone much - some of that though is the same caution I grew up with about diving alone - things can happen, and you may need a buddy to get you out of the water.

I have 10 years of martial arts training, but I don't let that make me feel like I can go anywhere. It just means I have a chance provided I keep a clear head. My experiences in life have taught me to always, always watch my back, to always be able to remember what people were wearing, to always check under my car in the parking lot as well as the back seat (and my keys are in my knuckles). Awareness is half the battle - I tell women not to walk through parking lots fishing through their bag for their car keys. They can't know what is going on around them (perfect target) - have those keys out before leaving the store.

I don't consider this paranoia, it's just being prepared. I have some male blackbelt friends who are just as aware. But still... I feel it is MORE vital for me as a 120-pound woman to be watchful - because I know firsthand how much bigger and stronger a man is than we are. It's like us grabbing a 7-year old child - the child better know where to hit, and fast.

Women are still assaulted every day - far more often than men are. We as a sex tend to not watch our surroundings well, we are smaller, and we carry our money in this big bag that makes it so much easier than figuring out which pocket a guy has it in. I don't know that women should ever let themselves feel safe when out in public. That can only happen in Utopia - there will always be bad men - even if the majority are great, even if the majority would treat us as equals, there are some real sickos out there.