Just some thoughts........irratic and simple.
I have super long hair. Blah.
I have practiced different types martial arts since I was ten (I'm almost 27).
I lift weights.
I am short.
I have bad hearing.
Just some things to know about me.....
Some of these things may make me vulnerable and some not. Either way, this sort of thing bothers me b/c I don't know if I could defend myself when it would count.
Where I live it gets dark early and thus light late in the morning. I work the graveyeard shift and have seen some poor girls get hurt during some of my shifts. Broken heels and torn dresses. It breaks my heart.
I do beleive long hair can be used against you (I use it when I spar) but isn't a main reason for for all rapists when picking a target of course. I intend on keeping my long hair.
When I fight, I like trying to grab the back of the knee and pinch the tendons. If you were in a real fight you'd try to pull 'em out. It caused the legs to go limp. Poking the eyes is awsome. Unlike the groin and inner thigh, the eyes are more delicate and it is a natural defence mechansim to pull you hands up (in almost all cases).
It is depressing to see some people think tae bo is a martial arts. Anyone trying to learn a martial art - don't just go to the class and learn a tid bit or two. I've seen people think they learn something, but do not have the body strength to carry it through and end up in a more precarious position. Yes, every little bit helps, but why not really protect yourself? Work out.
I do believe that women and men who do rape others, or may in the future, need to be helped. There needs to be preventative measures taken on both sides. Unfortunately, people are more likely to listen to preventative measures. Those who are doing the raping are more likely being irrational or rational only in their mind.
When I did my BA in psych, I interviewed young males who had urges to force themselves on others. The reasons varied. Anger - why not I'm a male - I need it - curiosity - entertainment/excitment.... Then you could go to underlying causes - antisocial behaviour, genetic make-up, sexual abuse as a child, witnessed abuse.... It would be more difficult to attack the root cause for these boys' deviance. Protection on the potential victims end is easier to pin down and promote. Yes there are laws and you can educate, but those who rape are more complex than the protection methods.
I could go on forever and look at it from different angles, but I'll end here b/c I'm not a very good writer.
Thanks for the responses. I love to generate discussion and get people's mind's awake!
