This happened right before the boards crash, so I forgot about it until one of the boys in the morning class asked to play a similar game with a normal ball…
This is what I’m wondering about: Two little boys in the afternoon class (one 4 1/2, the other 5) were playing with a heavy gel filled ball that probably weighs 5lbs or so. They were sitting on the floor with their feet touching, to form a diamond with their legs so the ball couldn’t escape as they rolled it back and forth. The problem was that they were letting the ball roll all the way to them, and it was hurting them (judging from the “ouch!” exclaimations.) I suggested they make sure they put their hands out to catch the ball sooner, and it seemed like the idea had never occured to them. Until that moment, I would have figured that boys would be naturally protective of themselves as soon as they were out of diapers. Since they proved me wrong, I’m curious, when does the instinct to keep yourself from being injured kick in?
I’m not a guy but if I was I would never, ever consider putting a gun in my belt (pointing downwards) as men without holsters do in 80 per cent of gun films. I wouldn’t rest a gun in that position as a woman either - loaded or unloaded. Why aren’t men similarly nervous? How many accidentally cocked guns in belts have resulted in accidentally uncocked men?
Well, yesterday night my girlfriend was holding a pair of scissors. We started talking about circumcision (don’t ask) and all of sudden she pointed them in the direction of… well, you see what I mean. I knew it was a joke. She stopped a good 20 cm from the “target”. And there was table between us so she couldn’t have reached much further. In spite of that I immediately jumped back.
She was a little bit surprised ("Come on, you knew I was fooling around!"). It took me a while to convince her that it's really a reflex no man can prevent no matter how much they trust the other person. Especially if it's done by surprise...
We become protective of that region when we realize how much pain can be generated from being hit there. We become even more protective when we realize how much pleasure can be generated.
As to the game in question, the boys may have been saying, “Ow” just as part of the ritual of the game. Or it may have been coming close to their genitals but actually impacting their thighs. Or they may just be a couple of numbnuts.
Once a guy is hit there, it’s an experience he will take great care not to experience again.
In fact, I remember reading the following (paraphrased) observation re: the military:
When there’s an explosion, a young man covers his genitals. An old man covers his eyes.
I’m pleased to say I would still instinctively cover my genitals.
As has been said (by spooje, no less) men get protective after their first experience wiht the true meaning of pain.
It is also why, If guys see or even hear about something traumatic happen to another male in the special are, they will become protective.
I remember my first experience, Out on the soccer field, with my college-soccer playing coach, who happened to be going all out. (Or at least, That’s what it seemed like) Needless to say, Ever since then I make sure to keep little martinez out of harms way.
They may have been playing a game with the pain. Kinda like how some men will take turns punching each other on the upper arm. And which ever man quits first loses cause he couldn’t take it any more. Or maybe I should say boy.
As for your poll I can’t ever remember not being protective. That’s simply what you do.
Before I read the other responses, I was thinking, “the first time he pees standing up and the lid falls down” (they’re at just the right, um, altitude). Seems I wasn’t far off of the consensus.