Something else that I think every woman should be taught at an early age, is an appropriate martial art such as Aikido or Judo.

When I was very young, my father taught me some basic techniques of Judo. His lessons proved valuable and most probably life saving teachings. Later in life as a young adult, I studied Aikido.

These martial arts teach a way of being that helps to keep one out of a dangerous situation. In my travels, I've always taught what my father taught me to other women. Hopefully it has been some help.

These particular martial arts are good for women as they don't use physical strength, but rather awareness and methods of redirection.

Edit to add more:

The teacher (Sensei) taught us, the attackers attacks with the mind first. We were taught to feel an attack before it was manifested physically, thus enabling us to get out of the way, or redirect the attack. We were taught to develop the state of Mushin

I dont know if it is quite relevant but I think that what alameda was trying to point out on the previous post was the different extend of responsibility that women have against men in some areas due to the circle of nature....yes women can enjoy sex and yes women can keep a child or not but in general I think the point was that wanting it or not women have more responsibilities that make them (although smaller in body or physical force) stronger in some areas....

my point of view is that there should be a balance in everything....I completely dislike career women that have unfortunately developed in my country as well that neglect their men or families but at the same time I sympathise all the women that suffer under the pressure of barbarian men that torture them physically or psychologically (which is quite common in western culture as well)

I would like my man to be stronger than me in order to protect me (not only literraly) as I like me role as a woman and detest castrated men but I think that in everything there should be a balance....

It is easy in words to protest and rebel and try to make other people go against something that is mainly accepted in a culture but when trying to put it in action it may be difficult....Actions like these should start mainly from the core of the problem (that would be Pakistan or Iraq or Turkey) rather than playing philosophers while sitting on our couches....

Furthermore it is very difficult to understand one's culture unless been brought up with it.

I dont want all these to be taken the wrong way I am not attacking anyone and I enjoy all conversations...and I really find this specific on a very interesting conversation but I just try to be a bit realistic....

First of all I would like to comment the initial posting in this thread: I will do my best to not betray women that are fighting their way to freedom and equality wherever that might be. Further more I wish us all the best in our struggle because I know that we somehow share the struggle (though my personal suffering for sure might be less than many others) as part of the overall struggle against opression of any kind in this world, whether it is opression based on power structures of sex, class, race, sexuality or physical ability to mention some. I might disagree with your methods as you might disagree with my methods, That is not the main issue and the opressors could not be happier than seeing the opressed ones fight among themselves...

I have been away for a long time and I only come here eventually and try to get a picture of what is going on. I love TC and many of the persons I met here and I think that many of the discussions, although sometimes a bit rough and hush (however that is spelled), have enrichened my own knowledge and way of thinking. I think we should neither take ourselves to serious nor subestimate the significance of these discussions. We are never the same coming out of a discussion, whether we are angry as hell or laughing out loud.

I will add two Bertolt Brecht quotes I find brilliant:

"Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are."

The other one I can´t find in english so I do my own poor and free translation:
"...the side on which the fighters are more tired will lose the battle."

I hope it will not be our side!

...suddenly I feel so tired...