I'm a 53 yr old mom. I was a hippie in the 70s and did many things, like hitchhiking the Michigan highways, that could have resulted in me being the lead story on the 6 o'clock news.
Although I know I'm equal to men in many respects, I was never so stupid to think, even at my strongest, that I was physcially equal to some man. Especially equal to a man w/a gun. And nowadays, my 29 yr old son can physcially control me w/no effort on his part, and I'm not a small woman.
I did all kinds of things (which is why I can look down on some of my young friends from my throne of experience and dispense my wisdom). But it is our duty as parents to tell our daughters that not everyone wishes them well, and to tell our sons that, even tho she's calling you a sexist ba$tard, at 2 am you should put your female friend in a cab or offer her a ride, rather than let her walk off down the street alone.
Gotcha. And I was a hippie in the 60s.
It's just that women have to learn that while they are equal to men, they are not in terms of physical strength. And that there are a lot of sick people out there.
I talk to my daughter till I'm blue in the face. Then I pray and pray some more.