Reaction? I’ve always heard that Special Ops, when raiding a hideout of mixed gender armed opponents, are told to “kill the women first” because they tend to react with little or no hesitation compared to their male comrades. Having been married for 30 plus years I’d tend to think that story has some basis in fact. Assuming all women are tender, pearl clutching flowers can get you gutted.
“kill the women first”
It may also have to do with the instinct of men to ‘protect women’ (at least until the feminist movement, that is). Obviously any hesitation or confusion on the part of our boys is risky as hell, so you kill them first, and then think about it.