…I’m sorry, but I’m a bit confused by your statement. If I read correctly, first you “take exception” (which implies that you disagree), then you support my premise (which implies that you agree), then you state that you have not personally experienced problems (good on ya’, mate)!
My mom used to tell us not to put on a wet bathing suit because we would catch a cold. Finally, one day, she realized that was pretty darn stupid. She also told us it was very bad for the hair to wash it everyday.
From my dad, when I was a very shy girl daily harrassed by the boys when I rode my bus to and from school (who daily hit me, threw things at me, tripped me when I would try to walk down the aisles between seats, and once tried to cut off my waist length hair when I had it caught back in a long braid), ‘Just hit’em, and they’ll leave you alone.’
He was genuinely baffled that I didn’t fight them! I was a very small built girl, and these were big boys – some of them were accomplished school athletes, well built, strong young men. My schoolbus picked up several schools, and I was the only girl who got on after the first stop at an all-boys’ school. I spent 3 years having to ride that bus, and I was so stressed out from it that I had anxiety attacks, weight loss, and did very poorly in all my afternoon classes because I dreaded having to board that bus.
Mum said to ignore them, but as anyone knows, ignoring a bully frequently inspires him or her to further glory. And the few times I did try to lash back, they simply thought it was funny, and upped the torment a notch.
From my mum, who is usually more sensible, but has her moments:
‘Now that you have this out of your system [finishing my PhD], are you going to get a real job and do something with your life?’