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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 10:59:38 AM | Whitetigeress
The fear is crippling. Rape is real.
Violent Rape is scary, VERY VERY SCARY!
Trust is what keeps us carrying on day by day.
A few weeks ago in Vancouver, a 13 year old girl was led out of a transit bus under threat from a man that was carrying a weapon. She was raped repeatedly in a back ally. Did Ethan Baron write an article on the above incident? What about the 6 year old girl that was raped in surrey back in July in the middle of the day? Does one have to live in the upscale area to have editorials written as news worthy?
Balled Eagle:
I strongly disagree with her claim. Sheesh, talk about painting all men with the same brush. I am more inclined to agree with journalist Ethan Baron: …..How do you feel about Flynn's claim?
The article writes of two responses from two centers to the issue of rape:
Aurea Flynn: Vancouver Rape Relief an Womans Shelter, Feminist Advocate - Speaks to issues of woman who are born women and grow up as woman.
Stephanie Reifferscheid - Vancouver's Women Against Violence Against Women's rape crisis centre , Feminist Advocate . speaks to issues of women who have been born as women as well as men born as men who have changed genders and live as women
Ethan Nathan neglected to mention the philosophy behind the two rape relief centers. Reason? He didn’t think it was important. Obviously he was busy pissing his name in the snow.
What seems to set off the tone and get some men defensive here is that ‘ ALL men are potential rapist “ is inclusive of all men and takes away a sense of control some men have or capable of having. On the other hand, the two women above and their teams are the ones confronted with issues of rape on a daily basis at their centres, it will be the opinion that all men potentially rape. Am sure if Flynn did not say what she did, Reiffercheid would have made that clear.
Be reminded as Mis~fit noted:
"potential" as ....existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality.
Agree: all men are potential rapists If the topic was entitled: are all PEOPLE potential rapists, I would still agree. Thankfully, there are those that never have the specific trigger(s) pulled that would lead to the enactment of rape.
I agree.
Traveller:
"All men are potential rapists" makes a certain paranoiac sense as a practical tip ... but ... I have the lurking feeling that it's more an angry philosophy than a practical tip, and this isn't the first time I've heard similar stuff from her group. Unfortunately, there are some people out there (both female and male) who just want to win the battle of the sexes at any cost.
Yes and what have been the costs even today when women and children are still being raped? As a mother, would you call my plea for safer streets an angry philosophy? It is not about the battle of the sexes…it is about doing what is right. Women have been empowering themselves by becoming educated of the ways of predators as well as being active in their choice of men - it is not enough it seems with all the rapes in this city. Men do need to acknowledge this is an issue and demand more controls in making the streets safer. Call the two centres and ask what you might do to help make a change. There are a number of issues that are currently being negotiated politically on their sites.
BCbogbear:
Really don't like this thread its one sided topic when it comes to rapists. You might want to look on Wikipedia and search Rape by gender..
The reality is what it is, google Crimes of Rape in Canada - that is reality. 99% of the articles are about men being the violent aggressors when it comes to rape.
Traveller:
and I think it is a fair guess that she's bashing men in general. It's also certainly not true that all rape counsellors or victims blame men in general. The editorial BE cited quotes another equally prominent rape shelter spokeswoman who has quite a different view of life.
You call it bashing - as most men do who see their rights taken from them - I call it empowering as a woman.
Traveller you quoted an excerpt from somewhere:
I believe that woman only space is necessary for women to seek peer help and gain strength to enable them to resist sexist oppression, in an otherwise male dominated world. In a world where women only spaces are harder and harder to find, I am gladdened to hear about the new Women only Pharmacy in Vancouver, and thank the Vancouver Women’s Health collective for the good work they do
It is obvious you have not been raped as a woman and don’t know what it’s like to be traumatized to the degree that this act of violence consumes every thought and action that remains. To know that this act of rape has it’s basis founded as a gender trait leaves much to be desired in the way of safety for a number of women.
In addition, the following is part of the Vancouver Rape Releif’s Philosophy:
Rape Relief's approach is integrated and blended with its political belief that women suffer oppression from birth and should resist male violence by working together with others who are peers in their experience of that oppression. This approach is apparent in Rape Relief's approach to its work and the consistency between the way it works and its political beliefs, such as its offering of "Support, Education and Action" groups.
http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/issues/knixon_vgray_argum.html
There are tons of articles that focus on section 41 of the human rights code and Vancouver Rape Relief that is reflective of the above statement.
Traveller you say that Flynn writes from the perspective that male-domination of society is evil your words not hers. You suggest that the issue is “the battle of the sexes.”.
Anyway, that sort of thing is what I meant when I said some people just want to win the battle of the sexes at all costs. I don't think they're really interested in educating anyone or settling anything, just fighting. Are you in that category? If so, please just let me know now so I can stop wasting time trying to reason with you.
Not so simple from such a defensive stance. What are you trying to protect? Go read articles and facts on their site- it is specific to issues of women and what they are living with on a daily basis.
Traveller you also say:
Wandering onto other asides from the more rewarding bits of this thread:
Yes, there are woman rapists. They are much less common but far from unknown. I named one famous example already - Karla Homolka. Although inconvenient to those who want to believe rape is normal sexual behaviour for men, I trust that datum will be appreciated by those interested in truth.
Here again is a different perspective of the facts you alluded to:
On June 29, 1991, Homolka and Bernardo sipped champagne from crystal glasses as they were driven through the historic streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake in a horse-drawn carriage. Their wedding guests later dined on pheasant. And then the couple jetted off on a Hawaiian honeymoon.
As we know now, however, the bride and groom's secrets were a lot darker than what happened in bed on their wedding night.
A year and a half before the wedding, Homolka's youngest sister, Tammy, 15, died in her parents' home when she choked on her own vomit as Bernardo and Homolka drugged her unconscious and jointly raped her.
On the day the pair were married, concrete blocks which contained the dismembered body parts of missing 14-year-old Burlington schoolgirl Leslie Mahaffy, were pulled out of Gibson Lake, near St. Catharines.
Leslie, it would later turn out, was the sick couple's second victim.
Homolka would later reveal that it was on their wedding night that Bernardo confessed he was the infamous Scarborough Rapist, a sexual predator who terrorized Toronto's east end in the 1980s and boasted up to 40 victims…..
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/02/08/3558711-sun.html#
The facts speak for themselves.
Pro-filer:
I know nothing about Aura Flynn, but I feel sorry for her because she lives her life with such a jaundiced view of half of humanity.
Hmmm…I don’t think Flynn needs your sympathy. I do think that your compassion needs to rest with the victims of rape of both men and women. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 11:08:35 AM | | yabbdabbadoo It would be better to tell all people . To be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut. Not just men telling there daughters. And in everbody's estimation how many of there young boys have been raped. Hmm food for thought . Native indian school boys and girls, Vancouver sea cadets boys . and the list goes on . and that does not even include the ones we never hear about . | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 11:17:08 AM | | yes, BCbogbear... I did think of that after the fact, and I have already changed my above post. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 12:51:15 PM | RWW ...
Great post.
The thing with saying "All" or "every" or "always" is that those kind of absolutes puts someone on the defensive. If I say "All First Nations people are potential bums/hookers" - how would that sit with First Nations people? Even if stats "proved" that the majority of people on the streets and selling their bodies were First Nations, would that make the statement any less offensive and hurtful? Wouldn't First Nations people point out that "potential" while true in the abstract, isn't true for individuals? And anyway there are plenty of Caucasions out there on the street - so why are First Nations singled out as the ones having "potential"?
MOST men do not rape. MOST men are not gratuitiously violent, and even those who might be predisposed toward violence tend to target other men and not women. I think it would be more helpful to avoid alienating an entire gender with those kinds of statements and stick to the reality that violence, including sexual assault, is wrong - no matter who does it, and no matter who its done to.
This doesn't mean I lack compassion for victims of violent crime, or that I want to downplay the seriousness of it; I just think that focusing on ONE group as if they were only perpetrator of violence, and the other group as the "victim" is far too simplistic a view and contributes nothing toward solving the issues of crime in our society.
Hmmm…I don’t think Flynn needs your sympathy. I do think that your compassion needs to rest with the victims of rape of both men and women.
Why would you thank that having sympathy for one person means I cannot have sympathy or compassion for others? Such as for the men who personally abhor rapists and would do nothing to harm women, but are still lumped in with the most reviled of humans, merely because they were born male. I want men on my side, not alienated because of women who see potential enemies in men, instead of a potential allies. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 2:12:57 PM | Pro-filer: Seeing as you are perpetuating more stereotypes about First Nations people (my people), I suggest you type in the link where you found the facts or article.
Even if stats "proved" that the majority of people on the streets and selling their bodies were First Nations, would that make the statement any less offensive and hurtful?
For you’re information: Only stats I found specific to aboriginal people living on the streets was the 2004 Downtown Monitoring Report (Vancouver BC). Non of that report suggests or alludes to the numbers that are selling their bodies. But, to answer your question, it would make me angry when facts are not substantiated but more fuelled by arrogant / ignorant beliefs based on race and personal biases to bring the current gender issue to light.
Ethan Nathan created a pissing in the air controversy much like you are doing. Ethan did not speak of how he questioned the issues before him. Media controlled the direction of the debate knowing it was inclusive pushing back the issues of rape and assault as a gender issue making it a personal debate going back to 1971 when Vancouver Rape Relief first opened its’ doors rather than an issue of human rights.
Wouldn't First Nations people point out that "potential" while true in the abstract, isn't true for individuals? And anyway there are plenty of Caucasions out there on the street - so why are First Nations singled out as the ones having "potential"?
Potential? For the same reasons you choose to use First Nations as a basis for your argument.
Edit: 2004 DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE COMMUNITY MONITORING REPORT
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/dtes/pdf/DTES_MR_2004_lowres.pdf
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| Are all men ?
Posted: 10/22/2009 2:13:49 PM | Runs With Wolves
<div class="quote">The reality is what it is, google Crimes of Rape in Canada - that is reality. 99% of the articles are about men being the violent aggressors when it comes to rape.
But how many men would be willing to come forward and admit they were raped by a woman . Not many if any historically. And only very few have come forward to say that they have been raped by a women in present day statistics very few . So keep your big white paint brush out for all women that think all men are potential rapists and keep painting men as all potential rapists. Don't run out of paint now . I find it funny That some women that say all men are potential rapists , and there on this site looking to meet a male for. Friendship , Date, Hang out with. And all the other category's that POF that has to offer. And I still think. ( This thread its one sided topic when it comes to all men. Are all men potential rapists and the article that started this thread . ) http://www.theprovince.com/news/potential+rapists/2122434/story.html | |
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| Are all men ?
Posted: 10/22/2009 2:29:28 PM |
What seems to set off the tone and get some men defensive here is that ‘ ALL men are potential rapist “ is inclusive of all men and takes away a sense of control some men have or capable of having.
Exactly!
To state that all men are potential rapists is inflammatory and alienating.
On the other hand, the two women above and their teams are the ones confronted with issues of rape on a daily basis at their centres, it will be the opinion that all men potentially rape.
These women are obviously biased by their experience.
Are they critical thinkers?
* * * *
For me there would be no pleasure in copulation with an unwilling woman and pleasure would the sole reason I would have for it.
The values and principles that are my inner core and govern my behaviour prevent me for being a rapist. It is who I am.
So I take exception to broad-sweeping statement that all men are potential rapists.
* * * *
To those women who have been raped and feel that all men are potential rapists, you have my sympathies. Please also take a moment to reflect on the Indian parable of the blind men and the elephant.
In various versions of the tale, a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one touches a different part, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then compare notes on what they felt, and learn they are in complete disagreement. The story is used to indicate that reality may be viewed differently depending upon one's perspective, suggesting that what seems an absolute truth may be relative due to the deceptive nature of half-truths. | |
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| Are all men ?
Posted: 10/22/2009 3:22:39 PM |
These women are obviously biased by their experience. Are they critical thinkers?
With all due respect Eagle, the two women we speak of have strong critical thinking skills who advocate on behalf of women who have been victimized by rape and physical assault. To be an advocate can be isolating when mixed messages are delivered such as the question posed by the author.
To be a critical thinker is to have the ability that your knowledge will carry you in what ever circumstances you are faced with; that you’re life experiences are encoded with answers to the questions of the day; and that you have empowered yourself with experience and knowledge as a human being to make choices knowing what the consequences will be.
I have been in the forefront receiving the women who have been demoralized, dehumanized and scrutinized – and yet I value the integrity of men. I have been raised from a child to adulthood by a man who I trusted and respected my entire life and have raise two young men from birth as a woman. My life work does not minimize my relationship with my sons – I value it more.
Some have taken exception to the broad sweeping statements that all men are potential rapists. That is good, there is a cry for more men to be visible giving the word that the behaviour of rape is unacceptable. Volunteer at public events once every two months with one of the groups I mentioned earlier - it will change how you approach life as well as honouring women who have given you life. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 3:33:41 PM | I think the statement "all men are potential rapists" might be blown out of proportion a little. I don't feel that Flynn was implying anything about all men, I think she said it to women to behave cautiously. All men and women are potential rapists in the same way that they are potential international spies or potential diabetics. That isn't suggesting that everyone is a rapist, a spy, or a diabetic - it merely suggests that they could be.
as equals to men in every way — except perhaps when it comes to arm-wrestling and peeing your name in the snow. Clearly this journalist has never seen a woman squatting in the snow with a stencil of her name underneath her.  | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 3:59:38 PM | Again, I think the statistics of men raping women compared to men being international spies is also relevant to what she was saying and the violence of men raping women is a very different matter than potential diabetics.
Men and Women are NOT equal, however, we ought to have equal rights in our jointly inhabited society.
(and so the thread lives on...) | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 4:08:40 PM | As a mother, would you call my plea for safer streets an angry philosophy?
No, but what does this have to do with anything? I don't have any problem with them warning people about rape, either.
I do have a problem with tactics which slander and alienate half the human race, regardless of who's behind them. If that happens to include a category of people you sympathize with, that is regrettable but ... as you say, it is about doing what is right. Telling people that all men are dangerous is clearly not right. Inferring it as she did is subtly less wrong but still wrong.
I can understand individual victims having all sorts of reactions to trauma including fear of and hostility towards men in general, and I'm not bothered by the occasional bit of nasty venting. This is quite a different thing from professional figures like Flynn making deliberate public efforts which stir up hostility and suspicion. That is irresponsible at best.
You call it bashing - as most men do who see their rights taken from them - I call it empowering as a woman.
What? You can't have power without attacking other people? Is this really what you want to tell us???
Rape Relief's approach is integrated and blended with its political belief that women suffer oppression from birth and should resist male violence by working together with others who are peers in their experience of that oppression. This approach is apparent in Rape Relief's approach to its work and the consistency between the way it works and its political beliefs, such as its offering of "Support, Education and Action" groups.
Thanks for posting that - that's the best example yet of the point I was making. Flynn's group is not simply out to counsel rape victims, they have much broader goals. Thus, it's fair to wonder if this provocative statement of hers is intended to be more than advice to prevent rape.
To know that this act of rape has it’s basis founded as a gender trait leaves much to be desired in the way of safety for a number of women.
Are you saying that rape is normal behaviour for men??? If so, we are done here.
ML said a while back....
the troubles with such "brilliance " are that they are demagogic and while one can only guess intent, the results often lead to inciting hatred because of peoples emotions and in particular those who "jump onto the cause" lacking abilities (or willingness)to reason.
Yes, that nails it. She's raising awareness at the cost of stirring up hostility towards men. Preventing rape is a good cause on which we can never do enough, agreed, but that doesn't make all means acceptable. This is no better than somebody advancing their cause by stirring up hostility towards women. The difference is that she can get away with doing it whereas a man who said similar things about all women would immediately be buried in complaints about sexist discrimination.
In fact, getting political power by stirring up anger and hate is just generally not acceptable and it seems to be becoming a more and more common thing in Canada lately. Are we so blind that we can't see tearing society apart is a bad thing? I suppose that's the most basic reason why I keep speaking up on these topics. Usually it's conservatives or Conservatives raising my hackles. This case is unusual that way.
MOST men do not rape. MOST men are not gratuitiously violent, and even those who might be predisposed toward violence tend to target other men and not women. I think it would be more helpful to avoid alienating an entire gender with those kinds of statements and stick to the reality that violence, including sexual assault, is wrong - no matter who does it, and no matter who its done to.
Well said ... however... this does touch on one point which I haven't noticed anyone make yet. A rather different answer to "all men are potential rapists" is this: most men would probably have to resist the urge to hurt or kill a rapist if they caught one in action (and a very great many would just go ahead and beat them senseless or dead). Probably a big part of the reason you don't hear more men speaking on the subject is that most men simply hate sexual predators and don't feel any need to say anything about it because they have no problems with that.
What is a better tact, is to state that the social status of women in various societies makes them victims of male domination. And that is correct for many parts of the world still. Behold Pakistani honor killings, arranged and forced marriages and forced female circumcision, to name a few atrocities committed in these cultures. What is important is that we all guard against our tendency as a species, to subjugate women and base power on sheer physical force.
More correct but still too simple. I could say lots more on the subject but that big can of worms would totally derail this thread from its intended course ... so somebody go start a new thread please. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 4:19:57 PM | How just like a man ^^^ maybe your secretary will do it.
EDIT: (that is a little joke! I'm leaving for a while - will u miss me?) | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/22/2009 5:22:37 PM | debra20008^^^
I'm leaving for a while - will u miss me?
Yes, of course we will.
Best wishes on your sojourn. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 10:41:51 AM | | interesting.. if you type in Aurea Flynn to google, you find the link to the OPs article and the link to this thread. You have all achieved public exposure. Well, it was an interesting and informative thread so why not be part of a greater debate. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 11:28:20 AM | "Castration is the logical consequence to the inability of some males to learn how to put their pecker in only appropriate places."
Well this is just silly. Next you'll be telling us that we should cut the arms off of people who steal so they can't steal anymore. Or cut off the legs of people who run from the police. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 12:17:43 PM | geewhillickers...castration cuts off the underpinnings, not the organ...so rethink the amputation of limbs bit..puhleeze....
violence and victimization/sexist attitudes methinks are taught at home initially...
and just watch what cartoons get the biggest laughs...
sad reflection on our society.
Disneyland for me!!! | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 1:03:04 PM | Puhleeze what a silly response from someone who doesn't understand the whole message, yet tries to mock. It's silly to even consider the idea of castration because it would lead to quite the slippery slope. One block builds on the other to the point where cutting off hands seems right and proper, and if you want that you might as well move to the middle east.
With such a shallow mind, I'm surprised you don't suggest we train all women to be omega level sluts so they want the sexual activity, and so the adage of "You can't rape the willing." applies. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 4:06:47 PM | Gordasitgets
I suggest reading the forum rules
"no bashing,Libel, or Insults...nor disgusting...sex based comments"
I was trying to use gentle humor, and my mind is anything BUT shallow...especially when it comes to the subject of violence and how it is used in our society.
Your attack is prime evidence of a male perspective that women "get" and instinctively avoid.
I dislike feeling 'victimized' like this in a public forum...
especially by a male person
"are all men potential rapists?"
maybe we can debate the subject...
 
next.... | |
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rocin
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Joined: 8/30/2009
Msg: 70 | |
| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 7:07:01 PM | Men and women should be horrified by rape. Always.
A civilized society protects the weaker members. Seems to me that our society has become more dog-eat-dog and survival-of-the-fittest. Blaming women for blaming men for violence against women does nothing to alleviate the core problem: women and children of both sexes are being abused, raped, killed. Primarily by men.
There was a time when a guy would defend a woman's honour, her person and his reputation. Now it seems that a lot of guys are pleased to take what they can get and never mind the mess left behind.
To avoid gender bias-- there was a time when women would defend her own honour and reputation, now it seems that a lot of them are happy to take what they can get and never mind the mess left behind.
If you know someone who smacks their 'loved one' around and you turn a blind eye - you're part of the problem. It is your business, it is everyone's business and won't decrease as long as it's socially acceptable. Look how fast we forced smokers out into the cold - surely we can make violence against smaller, weaker humans just as, if not MORE unacceptable. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 8:10:42 PM | ^^^The trouble with generalizations of the kind you make is that they are but a fiction of your mind based on few peaces of reality.
To fill the holes would require writing ten thousand years of human history and social behavior...lol
To avoid gender bias-- there was a time when women would defend her own honour and reputation...
seems a very over romanticized view, reality was that at that time women were generally considered property and had little say in any matters, it was also a time when women were burned at the stake for many reasons including witchcraft....and brutalities against mankind were at its peak and no one was safe...Spanish Inquisition????
Of course the Holiness the Pope of Rome sanctioned it in the name of the lord....terrorism not much different what we have seen from the middle east...
A civilized society protects the weaker members. Seems to me that our society has become more dog-eat-dog and survival-of-the-fittest.
If you looked more closely you would note that our society in particular is tearing itself apart granting special rights, privileges and protection for every bit of minority or victim that screams injustice and therein lies much of our problem. Courts cannot convict according to the laws governing, and and....
Any act of violence is horrid regardless who the victim is, and right it is worse when it is children or the weak, but that is nothing new as human behavior goes.
Most of the points on this topic have already been made, sorry if I sound redundant now, but it is not ALL men who are potential rapists, nor is it[ALL who are potential sluts, or innocent victims...
One generalization that is difficult to disprove would be that all humans once they become fully functional have the potential to commit a crime.
Hence, if anything it should be ALL of us who should act civilized and do everything possible to get along without crime, including rape. Blame and generalizations, inciting hatred or living in dreamland are certainly not the way. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 8:37:13 PM | | Wow! "every man a potential rapist". Sounds pretty viscious a statement to me. How many of us does the author of that article actually know personally? Sorry but I dom't take such statements lightly. I suscribe to the "rotten apple" theory of society. Some of us left the basket long ago. Tis a great shame that those of us couldn't unite somehow. There ARE some beautiful souls out here ya know. It's almost time to rewrite my profile I guess. Stay tuned ladies. I am in the proccess of installing a non-Microsoft OS. I will return in a couple of weeks. Been absent from POF since April. (working in SK.) | |
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rocin
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Joined: 8/30/2009
Msg: 73 | |
| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 8:44:06 PM | I was trying to be concise lol - wasn't trying to romanticize the past (too much) because you're right - women were considered property - to protect or to beat... but the idea of a big strong guy stepping up to protect the vulnerable does appeal 
I also agree with you about our courts and laws...
And about the generalizations.... I'd be equally impressed with a big strong woman stepping up to protect the weak - I call on any man or woman who is able, to make an effort to help out the less able men, women and/or children.
If we can't stop violence legally, can we at least reduce it with social ostracism? A dirty look instead of a chuckle for a racist 'joke', maybe be a little less p.c./accepting of offensive behaviour?
Maybe I'm just getting to that cranky old lady stage. | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 8:45:30 PM | None of this is new. The really serious thing is that it is growing exponentially it seems.
Y? because nothing is being done to fix it. This world is getting really sick. Glad I live outside the box for the most part. Think outside of it? NO! I live outside of it. It's where the freedom exists. ; ( | |
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| Are all men potential rapists?
Posted: 10/24/2009 9:02:46 PM | If I want to give the author some degree intellectual credit, I would say that the article is politically motivated and serves an agenda. I'm not certain if I'm feel so generous with my words as to disregard the possibility it is simply a stupid person on a soapbox.
I was raised to believe that men and women, while different, were equals. The building blocks of life have fundamental differences - of course differences of the whole would manifest. Over a completely vast amount of time, of course males and females evolved (socially and genetically) to adapt specifically to different roles. My parents raised me to believe that men and women work together - that men protect women from physical harm. That men focus on the outside world, drawing resources from it into the team. The women focus on the inside world, managing those resources and nurturing the team. Two sides of the same coin. To make things work, men and women would be decent to each other. Men would be chivalrous and women would be ladylike. Effort was required of both.
Sadly, I've seen enough to know that this is not at all common. I see the faceless masses out there, those people that we share a world with. Those we must both compete and co-exist with. When I picture them, they come to me as darkness. Murders, rapists, liars, thieves, adulterers. Men and women alike. But such an attitude is hardly useful.
As a man, I feel I have a certain role within my family and within society. I feel I have a duty. I aim to be a gentleman, but my services to not extend unconditionally.
As a relevant example, when a woman says something akin to "All men are potential rapists", "All men are pigs" or anything else, they lose any value they had. To so boldly put such an unwarranted personal attack on me is ludicrous. No matter how many a woman may personally insult, it's still a personal insult. I will not protect these individuals that personally attack me. I will not life a finger to help them. It would take little effort to forget them if they found themselves in a situation where others I would feel complete sympathy for.
Careful, ladies and gentlemen, when you blindly point fingers. While certainly people should always take precautions, accusing populations of something so terrible and personally devastating is probably the worst thing you could do if you want sympathy/help. All you're doing is alienating yourself, with these methods.
You attract more bees with honey than vinegar. | |
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