I live my life in a dream world. It’s not a perfect world, but at least a world where everything is safe, and everyone can be wherever they want to be without a second thought.
Today that dream was shattered by some news I got. It’s a hallucination, something that doesn’t exist. Or, at best, it does exist, but only for a select group of people.
I happen to be a relatively large specimen of the human species, and perhaps more importantly in this case: I’m also male. I never realized how much that makes a difference, but today’s news made me think about this a lot. People don’t usually seek any trouble with big guys. They certainly don’t approach me, touch me, or even whistle at me. People think twice about saying offensive shit. It gives me a very calm and peaceful existence.
I realize now that the world as I view it from 1.95m may not be the most realistic world view.
This morning I received the news that this week some female students were harassed and followed by naked masturbating men during field work. Not that this should matter as this shit is wrong in any area or time of the day, but this all occurred in a public area, and in broad daylight.
You read that right.
Some people are pigs. And that’s probably an insult to pigs.
What the fuck is wrong with these people…? Have they been raised by savages? At what point did this seem like a good idea?
Luckily the students got out with only the psychological shock of the events. Still, days like this are a smack in the face, and they make me feel embarrassed to be a man. I’m well aware of the fact that I’m generally unlikely to encounter situations like this personally, so I have a very naive world view. But it turns out that preparing students for field work now should include a warning for encounters with certain men. Ugh!
Being a dad of a baby girl makes me worried. Is this the world I have to raise my daughter in?
Robin Heinen 
The caveman days were a long time ago, but clearly not long enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
this is horrible Robin!
I called the cops on a gardener in my area doing the same thing and announced it on our local site.
hope you’re well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was not there myself. I would probably have kicked his naked ass. Too many of these weirdos out there, I remember we once had a neighborhood housesitter doing that in the windowsill every day. Creeps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
CREEPS for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has always been like this, there are bad people out there and you won’t be able to protect your daughter from all, but you can prepare her. As a woman who wished all her life to be able to change only one law in every country, I am asking you to sign your daughter(s) up for self-defense classes at a very early age. Imagine all little girls, all young women, all old grandma would know how to knock a pervert into the middle of next week. So much could be prevented. Kidnapping, sex trafficking, sexual assault, rape and so much more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re right. I can’t (and shouldn’t) be around her at all times forever to protect her. Self-defense is something I would definitely think of as useful. Luckily, we live in a comparatively safe area, but you never know… Rotten people are out there, and (not just my) kids should be prepared.
LikeLiked by 1 person