Women's fears of being in the outside world: BBC Radio 4 - Clipped Wings

Just thinking though

On average men are ?much? More likely to suffer random attacks yet they still go out

So should the question be why are women in particular afraid given they are less likely to be involved in an incident

The odds of being attacked in a rural setting are lower than in an urban one.

Dismissing women's fears isn't all that helpful, though.

I'm old enough to remember when Feminism was about being strong, not worrying about all the things that can (but almost certainly won't) go wrong. You'll feel a lot better going for a country walk than moping inside.

I tend to feel safer out in the wild than in a town street or park

I think I assume that people that far out are there with the purpose of climbing the hill or such, you wouldn't go that far out to look for a lone woman to attack or because you are bored or mad with the world

I suspect the bigger one risks are twisting an ankle or getting lost

The odds might be low but unfortunately it does happen. A few years ago I was out on my own in the countryside and a man told me he was going to rape me. I got away. Was he joking? I don't know but I think of it often. I bet he has never given it a second thought.

I will not be listening to this programme. Do you know what the odds are of actually being attacked by a random man in a wild place?
Get out, enjoy nature. You are doing yourself so much more damage by sitting in on your arses and worrying about something that will almost certainly never, ever happen!

Yes the arsenal of weapons by the bed is something I recall from living alone. I had a golf club, bat and knife. (And a violent ex, so it wasn't wholly paranoia).

It's not just outdoors, is It?

A dog is slightly reassuring, although mine would be trying to waggy tail them to death rather than actually usefully growling.

I would go anywhere alone when I used to have 5 large dogs. Never had a fear. Since the last one died, I don’t go out into nature or for a walk alone. I don’t go on holiday alone. I’ll go shopping when I have to and go to work. Otherwise nope, not happening. Exercise will be done either at a gym or as part of my work (cleaner). I fully admit at home I have items I know I could use to fight off an intruder and have taken self defence lessons. - I can’t outrun anyone, my only option would be to stand and fight like hell. (I have been attacked in my own home and ‘won’ - I refuse to call it survived).
My 6’2” Dh doesn’t understand at all.

Ooh I’ll have a listen. This really bugs me too. And then there are the recent sad events in the news where women have been murdered by random men in wild places. It really affects my enjoyment and I just wish it didn’t. But I can’t help it.

I thought about this as I was wandering through the woods with the dog this morning. Nobody in sight and I idly wondered what I would do if I was threatened. (no point looking for help from the dog - he's be too busy making friends with them) 🙄

I haven't got time to listen atm, but this is something I recognise in myself. When I was younger I spent a lot of time alone in nature and hugely valued it. Now I avoid isolated spots when alone for the fear of bumping into a dangerous man and that's desperately sad. I suppose I could force myself to do it regardless, but it affects my enjoyment.

Thanks for sharing this.

A thought-provoking listen. Good to hear it being put in front on the Radio 4 audience in the 8pm slot.