is it okay for a boy to use self defence during a conflict with a girl?

So you don't think women are viewed as physically weaker? Are you serious mate

Fellow students, I am sick of girls that try to act big and start fights with boys, knowing full well that the boy is unlikely to retaliate because of the stigma with patrichal violence.

Watched a video today on a group of girls in America that started picking on a man on the subway. They threw insults at him, stole his hat and stepped on it. They had also began pushing him, shouting at how rude he was for not being quick enough on giving his seat up for a pregnant women. The video showed it all. Not once does this guy retaliate.

Tensions became high when he had said that they were making unnecessary noise on the bus and had walked away towards another seat. The girls followed him. One girl in particular got into his face and had slapped his head repeatedly and his face. No one once intervened. He retaliated and gave this girl one of the juiciest slap I had ever seen. That one slap got the whole subway on a frenzy. One passenger had defended the man whilst others criticised his action. The video ended with girl that had gotten slapped sitting on the chair whilst the boy was in an argument with another passenger.

This is what I don't understand. I am a female student. I do not condone public fighting but I do accept self defence. Girls all want equality but there are many girls that like to choose when equality can be used in certain situations. I believe in wholistic equality not equality whenever it suites me....

My saying goes, if you want to slap somebody, be ready to be slapped back...
What do you guys think about this situation and what are your views on the matter??

Of course they are on average, don't put words in my mouth, but that's not the reason hitting women is seen as so abhorrent. Otherwise a smaller man being hit by a larger man would be seen with the same hatred; It's not, it's seen as bad, but not as bad as a man hitting a woman.

Society has evolved with women being more valuable then men because of how reproduction in a tribe/society works, that's biology, we've just never moved past that attitude.

On a completely unrelated note, why do people keep referring to psychology as biology? This is the 3rd time I've seen this now and it's irritating to say the least. You do realise that psychology is the study of human mind and behaviour that encompasses both biological, cognitive and social elements don't you? What you are discussing is a core psychological debate, not a biological debate. It's far more likely to show up in a psychological journal. Such a pet peeve of mine.

Also, you are making up an evo-psychological theory off the top of your head aren't you? Why don't you do some research first? It is actually reasonable what you're saying but you can't just make it up and pretend it's fact or established theory. You need to do some research.

I'd say this also, evolutionary psychology is massively overemphasised by lay people for some reason. It is a very small part of a much broader picture. And often does add up.

You are using the "tribe" explanation to say why women are more valuable, because they bare offspring. But then surely males in tribes are just as valuable, due to them being the main provider of resources, food? And also being the main protectors of the tribe?

Both are equally as valuable to the survival of the tribe. That theory, if it exists that is, is insufficient.


Also, you say it's an injustice but then you provide an evolutionary theory which you use to justify it? If it is such an instinctual process as you seem to think, then why are you also referring to it as unjust?

Also in a previous reply you've referred to it as "socially ingrained" which suggests that you don't think it's wholly biological anyway. You know there's a social influence at work.

If an average sized man was beating up a 5 foot 5 man weighing 7 and a half stone it most likely would.

Of course they are on average, don't put words in my mouth, but that's not the reason hitting women is seen as so abhorrent. Otherwise a smaller man being hit by a larger man would be seen with the same hatred; It's not, it's seen as bad, but not as bad as a man hitting a woman.Society has evolved with women being more valuable then men because of how reproduction in a tribe/society works, that's biology, we've just never moved past that attitude.

I don't think so.

A man hitting a woman is almost akin to hitting a child.

Yes, I've never been in a street fight, like most women I know? :s

Well that's probably because the other person retaliated.

Have you been in a fight then sweet cheek?

When a child acts up, it's fairly socially acceptable to slap it. I'm not complaining that it isn't socially acceptable to hit a woman tho, just that I'd like to be granted the same social protection as well.

Fellow students, I am sick of girls that try to act big and start fights with boys, knowing full well that the boy is unlikely to retaliate because of the stigma with patrichal violence.

Watched a video today on a group of girls in America that started picking on a man on the subway. They threw insults at him, stole his hat and stepped on it. They had also began pushing him, shouting at how rude he was for not being quick enough on giving his seat up for a pregnant women. The video showed it all. Not once does this guy retaliate.

Tensions became high when he had said that they were making unnecessary noise on the bus and had walked away towards another seat. The girls followed him. One girl in particular got into his face and had slapped his head repeatedly and his face. No one once intervened. He retaliated and gave this girl one of the juiciest slap I had ever seen. That one slap got the whole subway on a frenzy. One passenger had defended the man whilst others criticised his action. The video ended with girl that had gotten slapped sitting on the chair whilst the boy was in an argument with another passenger.

This is what I don't understand. I am a female student. I do not condone public fighting but I do accept self defence. Girls all want equality but there are many girls that like to choose when equality can be used in certain situations. I believe in wholistic equality not equality whenever it suites me....

My saying goes, if you want to slap somebody, be ready to be slapped back...
What do you guys think about this situation and what are your views on the matter??

Link to the video?

Of course it's okay, if you say otherwise you're sexist

Quite simple. Retaliation is not a form of self-defence, I highly doubt it would stand up in court.

How does one prove though they were not going to hit again?

I mean in this scenario, everyone saw them abusing him, then a slap comes. If he immediately slaps back he can so easily just say I was in danger, they didn't let off me, they were going to slap me again. How could you prove otherwise? Retaliation if you wait hours or a day find the guy then beat him, sure. But in an immediate situation how can you ever argue the person was retaliating rather than just using violence to counter act possible future acts of violence against him- or herself.