The Flawed Philosophy of Women's Safety: Beyond Blame and Misguided Advice

When discussions revolve around women's safety, a common tropic emerges: a strict set of rules designed to govern how women should behave. These paternalistic guidelines not only marginalize but also perpetuate unhealthy gender dynamics. While the intent might be well-meaning, such advice often ignores the root causes of sexual violence and instead places the burden of safety on women.

Limiting Women's Freedom

One of the most egregious pieces of advice given to women is to stay indoors after dark.

"Don’t Step Out After Dark: Because clearly the sun’s rays are the only force holding back the evil lurking in the streets. The moment it sets, all bets are off."

This advice not only limits women's movements but also reinforces the notion that women are the only ones responsible for their safety. It's time to shift this mindset to one that acknowledges that the environment and societal norms play a significant role in ensuring public safety for everyone.

Victim-Blaming Culture

Another harmful piece of advice tells women to avoid drinking and reveals clothing.

"Never Drink: Oh you enjoy a casual drink Well that’s basically an invitation, isn’t it? Apparently a woman’s right to a social life ends with a glass of wine because how dare you challenge the notion that alcohol consumption is exclusively a male privilege."

"Avoid Revealing Clothes: Because the solution to preventing assault is to cover up, not to educate people to respect others' boundaries."

These guidelines shift the burden of responsibility to women and not only undermine the women's autonomy but also perpetuate a culture of victim-blaming. It's time to advocate for responsible drinking and respect for every individual's boundaries.

Quiet Strength Over Confidence

Advice to women to walk timidly, speak softly, and avoid standing up for themselves is equally problematic.

"Behave Like a Timid: Don’t you dare walk with confidence. Keep your eyes low, speak softly, and above all, never stand up for yourself."

This kind of advice reduces women to a mere shadow of their potential. It’s not about women needing to be more quiet or timid; it’s about society needing to respect and protect women’s voices and rights.

Collective Responsibility, Not Individual Blame

While following these rules may provide some level of personal safety, they do not address the systemic issues that lead to violence against women. Instead of focusing on what women should do differently, the conversation should shift towards how society can ensure that women are safe.

"So if you’re still wondering why, despite following these rules, you feel unsafe, it’s because the real solution doesn’t lie in controlling women’s behavior but in addressing the dangerous mentalities that perpetuate this culture."

The crux of the matter is that women’s safety is not about what women wear, where they go, or how they behave. It is about the pervasive belief that women are somehow responsible for the violence inflicted upon them.

Women should be able to live their lives – wearing what they want, going where they please, and speaking what they want – without fear. The responsibility lies with society to create an environment where women can thrive without the constant threat of violence.

It’s time to move beyond victim-blaming and misguided advice. The real solution is one that understands and addresses the root causes of violence against women. This requires a shift in societal attitudes and a commitment to creating a safer world for all.

Only when society stops misunderstanding safety as a set of restrictions for women and starts seeing it as an obligation for everyone will true change come.