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From: lori@hp-pcd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Self defense and self-image
Message-ID: <19100027@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Apr-84 14:47:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.19100027
Posted: Wed Apr 11 14:47:00 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 15-Apr-84 09:08:05 EST
References: <2222@phs.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Portable Computer Division - Corvallis, OR
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Nf-ID: #R:phs:-222200:hp-pcd:19100027:000:2957
Nf-From: hp-pcd!lori    Apr 13 11:47:00 1984

[ my first sacrifice to the notes eater]

<...........  One comment I made with which the
<others agreed  was that until attacking a woman is perceived to be as
<dangerous to the attacker as attacking a man, victimization of women would
<continue.........Women are viewed by others and by themselves as easy marks. 
<If we learn to defend ourselves on the streets, we can work toward
<image.
<    Which brings me to the real point of this article - the image of women
<as victims........
<     Does anyone else share my belief that one sure way to reduce the
<incidence of rape and assault on women is to convince would-be attackers
<that they are likely to face a fight? .......
<
<Sherry Marts
<!decvax!duke!phs!sam

I genenerally agree with you, Sherry. Your comments bring to mind a book
by a well know author of science fiction. The title is "Thendara House"
by Marion Zimmer Bradley. She has 'developed' a society on another planet
were women in some extremes are considered chattel. ( sound familar? from
history, perhaps). Except in this story line, Ms. Bradley deplicts a 
society of women that live outside the restrictions this planets society
has placed on women. The heroine of the story was an offworlder, raised
as a child in this society and then sent offworld for training by the 
offworld government. The idea was to give her the normal training (self
image) of the offworlders, while being able to understand the Darkoven (sp?)
society. Therefore she had all!!! the self defense training, and self image
of the offworlders as long as she was with offworlders!!!. When she found
herself thrust into the Darkoven society, her offworld training and child-
hood training were at odds. As a child, she had been taught to allow her
male relatives to protect and care for her no matter what. As a lone 
woman in the Darkoven society, she was a victim. The Sisterhood  was 
the exception to the rule. They were women, who had taken a vow of not
allowing men to rule their lives, and therefore learned the way of the
sword to protect themselves since they therefore could not call upon men
to always protect them. A part of their philosophy, was quite simple.
Never shirk any job that the woman can competently do, whether physical
or mental. i.e. NEVER defer to a man, if you can do the job! These women
developed their self image to the point where they didnot consider them-
selves to be victims, and quite naturally the men followed suit.
  This has gone on long enough. It is difficult to describe the intricate
society in a short summary. It was interesting reading and pointed out
several philosophys currently running through todays culture.
  
                        -Lori Cook
                        -!hp-pcd!lori
                        -Hewlett-Packard
                        -Corvallis,Oregon

P.S. All quotes and synopsis are taken without consent of the authors.
     My intention is not to misquote any author. If I did -SORRY!