I think where the "fight" instinct falls through is that in a truly dangerous predatorial situation (as opposed to a threatening situation), fighting might not be the answer that saves your life. Fighting might get you or someone else killed. Now mind you, I'm not talking the average bully confrontation.
Consider my own quasi-stalking experience. It would not have been wise for me to confront that person alone. I got my housemates to support me in getting him to move out, and when things continued to escalate, contacted the police who indicated a peace bond was the next logical step (which I got). I used the legal tools at my disposal, I deliberately set up my personal activities (bussing, working, etc.) so that our physical paths would not cross. I didn't "fight", in the traditional sense of the word, I "fled". I didn't let him "get away with it", but I certainly didn't physicaly confront... I'm "sneakier" than that.
It might make me an asshole, but I am actively teaching my girls that there is a value to "Make yourself look unimportant. Don't draw attention. Get out fast." in order to attempt to avoid an escalation. Because in a physical confrontation, I/we are likely to loose, big time.
While I think there is a high value in "trust your gut : learn to avoid creepy people/situations" from the perpsective of your personal relationships, I think that's not nessecarily as useful in a "hurt by a stranger" scenario, which is probably the less frequent of what we will encounter in our lives. It's the ones you know that are going to get you, by and large.
I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. Obviously I have mixed feelings on the subject.
no subject
Consider my own quasi-stalking experience. It would not have been wise for me to confront that person alone. I got my housemates to support me in getting him to move out, and when things continued to escalate, contacted the police who indicated a peace bond was the next logical step (which I got). I used the legal tools at my disposal, I deliberately set up my personal activities (bussing, working, etc.) so that our physical paths would not cross. I didn't "fight", in the traditional sense of the word, I "fled". I didn't let him "get away with it", but I certainly didn't physicaly confront... I'm "sneakier" than that.
It might make me an asshole, but I am actively teaching my girls that there is a value to "Make yourself look unimportant. Don't draw attention. Get out fast." in order to attempt to avoid an escalation. Because in a physical confrontation, I/we are likely to loose, big time.
While I think there is a high value in "trust your gut : learn to avoid creepy people/situations" from the perpsective of your personal relationships, I think that's not nessecarily as useful in a "hurt by a stranger" scenario, which is probably the less frequent of what we will encounter in our lives. It's the ones you know that are going to get you, by and large.
I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. Obviously I have mixed feelings on the subject.