# Are men required to protect any woman in his vicinity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 26, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825 "2022-10-26T15:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/41 "2022-10-27T13:28:27Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I truly don’t know. Maybe one of our Legal Eagles will chime in. I hope they chime in as well. Also, my skepticism was not with you, but the actual reality of the laws as enforced. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/42 "2022-10-27T16:29:51Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Part of the problem in the case of the video/incident in question is that it’s not just two women. It’s a _gang_ of women, and numbers count. One man wading into that situation is going to have his ass handed to him not because women are stronger (they aren’t) but because there are more of them. You’d need a _bunch_ of men willing to intervene to have any hope at all of stopping the attack. Exactly. I fall and get pinned to the ground by one or two of them and I’m toast. They are mostly bigger than me, way more violent than me, twenty or more years younger than me. On the plus side, the punching I see there doesn’t seem too powerful, but with all those other factors and multiple assailants, you don’t want to bet on me in that bout. As soon as I try to attack one, I’m now the target for all of them. And, like you said, I might get knifed. I can only hope for some other passengers to get involved. Then I have a chance. I’m not going to risk that. Like I said, I have a family I have to get back to, and I can’t see my wife being happy about me getting involved there. ---
**Author:** ![TimfromNapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@TimfromNapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimfromNapa)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/43 "2022-10-27T16:42:55Z")
Unless you have secret super powers, you should call the police and not involve yourself directly other than by recording the event for use as evidence. If you do step in, you might make matters worse by amping up the violence and get yourself hurt or worse. You should only be a knight if you happen to be wearing a shining suit of armor. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/44 "2022-10-27T17:08:34Z")
I know. I got that. 👍🏽 ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/45 "2022-10-27T17:17:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I fall and get pinned to the ground by one or two of them and I’m toast. I saw a thing a while back in which advice was being given to women for defending themselves against a man, and what they advocated was taking him to the ground. They were of the opinion that a man tends to lose a lot of his advantage on the ground (assuming the woman in question knows what she is doing and can keep him from regaining an edge). ---
**Author:** ![Ziberian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/919ad9/32.png) [@Ziberian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ziberian)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/46 "2022-10-27T17:50:25Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I saw a thing a while back in which advice was being given to women for defending themselves against a man, and what they advocated was taking him to the ground. They were of the opinion that a man tends to lose a lot of his advantage on the ground (assuming the woman in question knows what she is doing and can keep him from regaining an edge). Maybe because women often have stronger legs than arms? But then it makes more sense for the woman to go to the ground & leave the assailant standing, which puts her out of reach of his arms, and gives her some good targets for kicks. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/47 "2022-10-27T19:23:57Z")
Er… going to ground also makes it a lot harder to run away quickly at the first opportunity, which I’ve always found to be an optimal strategy to avoid that sort of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/48 "2022-10-27T20:03:32Z")
I am not a profession fighter… but I have a feeling this is horrible advice. Most serious fights end up on the ground and, if you have even fought on the ground, you know it consumes a HUGE amount of energy and requires a staggering amount of stamina. The amount of ‘energy’ you put out on the ground HAS to be like 50 times more per unit of time. Also, weight becomes even more of an issue/advantage/disadvantage and women are usually outmassed. ---
**Author:** ![Ziberian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/919ad9/32.png) [@Ziberian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ziberian)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/49 "2022-10-27T20:26:50Z")
There is a LOT of bad advice for women in this situation. For one thing, it’s very, very situational so optimum in one scenario is a bad idea in another. But one thing women need to do is learn to fight. Too many women have no idea how to react to an attack. It seems current options are a) hope a nearby man rescues you, b) run, or c) give up because you’re outmuscled. It’s perfectly possible to beat someone stronger with speed & skill. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/50 "2022-10-27T21:00:21Z")
I don’t believe that. I’m male, fairly pudgy and puny, and have known more than a few women who were a _whole_ lot physically stronger than I am. If she’s as strong as you say she is, I really doubt that you could take her down so easily. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/51 "2022-10-27T21:02:33Z")
> [@Ziberian](#): > > It’s perfectly possible to beat someone stronger with speed & skill. Even when it’s possible, it’s rarely the wise thing to do. Your best bet in nearly all situations is get away. That’s not possible in all cases, but it should be most people’s first option. ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/52 "2022-10-27T21:48:39Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Even when it’s possible, it’s rarely the wise thing to do. Your best bet in nearly all situations is get away. That’s not possible in all cases, but it should be most people’s first option. The idea behind the self-defense moves I’ve drilled into my wife and child are to use that speed and skill to make yourself an opportunity to get away. If you can distract an attacker even momentarily, then you have that chance. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/53 "2022-10-27T22:34:58Z")
That’s what was taught in the self-defense course I took with my daughter. Some time afterward, we were watching a slasher movie, and when the killer fell down, I hollered to the girl on screen, “make sure he’s dead!” Daughter looked at me like I was crazy and said, “NO MOM, you’re supposed to run away!” ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/54 "2022-10-27T23:25:20Z")
> [@El\_DeLuxo](#): > > I don’t believe that. I’m male, fairly pudgy and puny, and have known more than a few women who were a _whole_ lot physically stronger than I am. If she’s as strong as you say she is, I really doubt that you could take her down so easily. Why do you think that it’s any way appropriate to call me a liar? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/55 "2022-10-27T23:33:54Z")
He was only disagreeing with your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/56 "2022-10-27T23:42:37Z")
I’m not calling you a liar, I just don’t believe what you said, there. It sounds like an assumption. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/57 "2022-10-28T02:06:24Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > I have a female cousin who is significantly stronger than the average woman. But if I wanted or needed to overpower her for some reason, I could do so without any real difficulty. And I don’t do any sort of exercise beyond brisk walks. What if she’s throwing closed-fist punches at your face? Biting you? You may be physically stronger, but what are you _mentally_ prepared to do to counter a really violent streetfighting attack (as opposed to just winning a wrestling match)? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/58 "2022-10-28T02:42:18Z")
The bottom line is the physically strongest man is stronger than the strongest woman. There will be gray areas where there are some women who are stronger than some men. This is not meant to denigrate women. There are plenty of physically strong women. It is just biology. As an example the #1 female tennis player can’t beat the #200 (or #350) male tennis player. It’s been done: > Another event dubbed a “Battle of the Sexes” took place during the [1998 Australian Open](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Australian_Open)[[60]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-guardian-60) between [Karsten Braasch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karsten_Braasch) and the [Williams sisters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_sisters). [Venus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_Williams) and [Serena Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serena_Williams) had claimed that they could beat any male player ranked outside the world’s top 200, so Braasch, then ranked 203rd, challenged them both. Braasch was described by one journalist as “a man whose training regime centered around a pack of cigarettes and more than a couple of bottles of ice cold [lager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lager)”.[[61]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-61)[[60]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-guardian-60) The matches took place on court number 12 in [Melbourne Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Park),[[62]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-62) after Braasch had finished a round of golf and two [shandies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shandy). He first took on Serena and after leading 5–0, beat her 6–1. Venus then walked on court and again Braasch was victorious, this time winning 6–2.[[60]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-guardian-60) Braasch said afterwards, “500 and above, no chance”. He added that he had played like someone ranked 600th in order to keep the game “fun”[[63]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-63) and that the big difference was that men can chase down shots much more easily and put spin on the ball that female players could not handle. The Williams sisters adjusted their claim to beating men outside the top 350.[[60]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#cite_note-guardian-60) - [SOURCE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#1998:_Karsten_Braasch_vs._the_Williams_sisters) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/59 "2022-10-28T03:07:37Z")
Sexual assualt requires immediate action. Call 911 and at least yell or blow a whistle to attract public attention. Sadly its a bad idea to get involved in arguments or fights. Punch out the bf and the woman may kick the crap out of the good Samaritan. She is defending her BF. Even if he did punch her in the mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825/60 "2022-10-28T08:31:55Z")
> [@Ziberian](#): > > But one thing women need to do is learn to fight. Too many women have no idea how to react to an attack. It seems current options are a) hope a nearby man rescues you, b) run, or c) give up because you’re outmuscled. It’s perfectly possible to beat someone stronger with speed & skill. I do know how to fight in self-defense, and unfortunately have actually had to do so. _If you are able_ running away is often your best option to avoid trouble and/or injury. “Beating someone stronger” is possible but not a foregone conclusion. If the “someone stronger” is a trained fighter you’re likely toast, and you just don’t know getting into most situations. That’s why one piece of advice is that _if possible_ hitting the other person hard and fast and then _running away_ good tactic when you can pull it off. My concern is that I am getting older and slower. > [@Dogginit](#): > > The idea behind the self-defense moves I’ve drilled into my wife and child are to use that speed and skill to make yourself an opportunity to get away. If you can distract an attacker even momentarily, then you have that chance. ^ This. The object is not to “win” the fight, it’s to get away to safety. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-required-to-protect-any-woman-in-his-vicinity/973825.md?page=4)