When women talk about the real physical threat male people pose to us, it's treated as an admission of female inferiority, fetishistic "delicate flower" posturing or "playing the victim" in an attempt to marginalise others. It is none of these things. thecritic.co.uk
We know that women are constantly aware of their vulnerability. It's why novels such as The Power are so compelling. It's why we talk about "the key thing" and crossing the street walking home at night. It is not a game or some prissy feminine performance.
Men who are happy to acknowledge their physical advantage when it suits ("I always walk on the other side of the street rather than intimidate") quickly deny it when it comes to questions of who should be allowed in female-only spaces. Suddenly women are the privileged ones!
They want the kick of feeling superior and benevolent for not attacking us when they could, combined with complete denial that any advantage exists when recognition of difference could limit male rather than female freedom of movement.
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