Growing Up as a Girl
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Growing Up as a Girl

Ladies, I know you're with me.

13
Growing Up as a Girl
Thump - Vice

If you walk too fast, you’re scared. They can sense fear.

If you walk too slow, you’re a target. They can catch you.

You need to get out fast, but not too fast.

A friend of mine told me the other day that he was intimidated to walk in a certain part of downtown Reno. His hand was on his knife. I told him I felt the same way, with my hand on my pepper spray. He told me that I was fine, because I was walking with two guys. Sure, I felt safe, but he noticed that my hand never left the canister. He just looked at me, and said, “this is what it’s like for girls, isn’t it?”

Yes. It’s habit for girls to be afraid. From too young of an age, girls are taught that if they aren’t street smart, bad things will happen to them. The danger was twisted to make them feel that if they weren’t careful, they would be punished. It wasn’t about the predatory men that need to be stopped, it’s that if you’re not careful, it’s your fault.

“You should have seen it coming.”

“Seriously? Didn’t she know better?”

“Well it was bound to happen.”

No. No. No.

It shouldn’t matter whether I’m walking alone downtown at midnight, or if I’m in broad daylight.

I’m a human. And no other human has the right to touch me unless I tell them that they can. And I promise, I did not give anyone downtown permission to touch me.

But, since I was about eight years old, I’ve been taught to avoid men walking on the sidewalk.

Ladies, I know you’re with me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58741
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37882
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959433
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194890
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments