I am sorry, but it is not for women to say what is the duty of men, any more than it is for men to say what is the duty of women. Boys do not have to defend girls because of physical differences, but because it is the opinion of men that this is what is right for them to do.
The ability of women to fight is unquestioned. It has always been known that women are fiercer in battle than are men. They are, however, less expendable. You may consider that the male urge to defend women is a survival trait - not only because dead women cannot bear or raise children, but also because when women fight, they do not tend to take prisoners.
You do not define yourself by age or gender, but in the eyes of the world at large, you are to a considerable extent defined by them, as well as by other things you did not choose and cannot easily change. This may not be pleasant or fair, but it is how things are. I am not happy about it either.
I do not see that this question is off-topic. You are asserting your right to define yourself as you choose, in spite of the world's perception of your physical being. So too am I. You are not weak and helpless merely because your body is female, even though these qualities have frequently been ascribed to women. My Kin and I are not crazy merely because we share a body, even though that quality has frequently been ascribed to multiples.
I do not believe it is right for any person to attack another without cause. I also believe it is right for any person to defend himself or herself against attack, and to come to the aid of others who are attacked without cause. I believe it is the right of all people to define themselves as they choose, and to defend themselves against the unwelcome imposition of others' definitions upon them.
Note, by observing that you are young and female, I have imposed no definition upon you, for you acknowledge that both these observations are correct. I have also not imposed upon you any definition of what is proper to you as a female; rather I have only stated what I feel is proper for males: to protect and be tolerant of women and children.
This is not because women and children are weak, but because they are the strength and life of the human race.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-10-26 07:44 pm (UTC)The ability of women to fight is unquestioned. It has always been known that women are fiercer in battle than are men. They are, however, less expendable. You may consider that the male urge to defend women is a survival trait - not only because dead women cannot bear or raise children, but also because when women fight, they do not tend to take prisoners.
You do not define yourself by age or gender, but in the eyes of the world at large, you are to a considerable extent defined by them, as well as by other things you did not choose and cannot easily change. This may not be pleasant or fair, but it is how things are. I am not happy about it either.
I do not see that this question is off-topic. You are asserting your right to define yourself as you choose, in spite of the world's perception of your physical being. So too am I. You are not weak and helpless merely because your body is female, even though these qualities have frequently been ascribed to women. My Kin and I are not crazy merely because we share a body, even though that quality has frequently been ascribed to multiples.
I do not believe it is right for any person to attack another without cause. I also believe it is right for any person to defend himself or herself against attack, and to come to the aid of others who are attacked without cause. I believe it is the right of all people to define themselves as they choose, and to defend themselves against the unwelcome imposition of others' definitions upon them.
Note, by observing that you are young and female, I have imposed no definition upon you, for you acknowledge that both these observations are correct. I have also not imposed upon you any definition of what is proper to you as a female; rather I have only stated what I feel is proper for males: to protect and be tolerant of women and children.
This is not because women and children are weak, but because they are the strength and life of the human race.