Right, I know what this place is like, and I may get torn a new one, but I’d value a female opinion on this.
We live about 1.5 miles from a city centre. Our younger DD (19) works in a pizza place down on the harbour side, a busy area at night. I used to walk down and meet her when she finished work at 11.00pm but last Summer between lockdowns she told me she wanted to walk home alone as she is happy to do so. I wasn’t (and still am not) too happy about this, but respect her wishes, and have always encouraged her (and her older sister) to be independent and confident.
Today DD was telling us about National Rape Day ( I checked and it is a hoax, but a widely spread one) and how she hoped she would not be attacked walking home (said jokingly). My wife and I agreed we or I would walk down and meet her tonight just to play safe.
My wife and I met some friends in a pub garden today and had a fair few drinks. An hour or so after we got home DD texts to say she is leaving work. I get up to get ready but my wife is ahead of me, saying she’ll go. I argue saying I’ll go , or at least walk with her. She insists no, she’ll go on her own. She did so and they subsequently returned home.
So..... on one level I feel really guilty that I let my wife walk into town at night on her own to meet my teenage daughter. It feels like it’s my job as a husband, father, and a man, to do it myself and not let my wife be at risk.
On the other, I am so proud that I have a DW and DD who are confident to walk around the city on their own after dark (and that we live in a city that is generally very safe), that they have that confidence and fearlessness. Whilst I was sitting there just waiting to hear the key in the lock all the time they were out, it feels like it would be wrong to impose myself and insist that I walk to meet our DD.
It feels the right thing to do. But I really don’t know.....