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Not sure if this is innate or taught to many guys.
I've been wondering ever since I had this conversation with my younger 13 year-old brother (while I'm nearly 17). As of now, I'm currently the taller(5'11 while he's only at 5'5), stronger, heavier and have been in self-defense classes for the longest.
Anyway this was after we were watching a movie several weeks ago or so. Though my brother knows I would be focusing on getting him to safety if on a lifeboat, only 1 person could fit in....according to him, he would refuse to get on the lifeboat and instead put me there. He also said it himself that if there was some upcoming avalanche from far, he would be pushing me aside while putting himself in front of it and dying. He ended with saying he wouldn't let me do it.
Basically for him, he wouldn't be ok with moving on in life and living with the memory of his dead sister. I don't think anyone taught him this but I'm kind of curious that if it's not just strength only as the sole reason, where does this comes from...to put the girl (esp if she's his sister, gf or someone else he cares about) to safety in such a terrible crisis while he either gets injured badly or dies?
I believe it's innate. I'm sure fathers teach their son this...but mostly, at least the men I've known, seem to have a desire or need to protect women. Admittedly, I'm speaking of my father, brother, husband, male cousins (mostly family) and some male friends. I can't speak to all men...not even close.
It's really tough to say what's "innate" to "many" guys. How would you even test for this? I agree that many guys do feel protective in that way, but whether it's learned or inborn is not clear. Remember when that guy in Colorado shot up a theater? Obviously he had no protective feelings toward women and children, and there was the guy in the audience with his girlfriend (and baby, I think, or maybe she was pregnant?) who just fled the scene and left her there while he ran all the way home.
I don't think it's any more innate for men, than it is for mothers who would willingly die to save their child. I think men form that sense of responsibility either by having it instilled by a man they respect, or through the media. The word "hero" is thrown around more than warranted these days, but who wouldn't want to see it attached to their name?
Taking all the romanticism out of it, there is probably a biological imperative. Women carry and care for children and can only have so many children during a reproductive life. A single male however can breed multiple times and father many children. So from a pure nature perspective, females are more valuable than males and need to be protected. Not because they are weak (the feminist argument) but because of the relatively limited amount of offspring individuals provide.
Not very romantic is it. But probably some part of the underlying cause.
Taking all the romanticism out of it, there is probably a biological imperative. Women carry and care for children and can only have so many children during a reproductive life. A single male however can breed multiple times and father many children. So from a pure nature perspective, females are more valuable than males and need to be protected. Not because they are weak (the feminist argument) but because of the relatively limited amount of offspring individuals provide.
Not very romantic is it. But probably some part of the underlying cause.
While this is all true, I doubt that a 13 year-old boy has consciously considered it.
Taking all the romanticism out of it, there is probably a biological imperative. Women carry and care for children and can only have so many children during a reproductive life. A single male however can breed multiple times and father many children. So from a pure nature perspective, females are more valuable than males and need to be protected. Not because they are weak (the feminist argument) but because of the relatively limited amount of offspring individuals provide.
Not very romantic is it. But probably some part of the underlying cause.
Very interesting and good point. Haven't thought about that one but yes, it does makes sense. Thank your for sharing this.
While this is all true, I doubt that a 13 year-old boy has consciously considered it.
If it's innate it isn't something that would need to be consciously considered.
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