The Many Fears of Being a Woman

Have you ever taken extreme measures to protect yourself against the worst-case scenario? Maybe you clench your keys in your fingers when walking to your car to ensure you have a viable weapon against potential attackers. Or perhaps you're constantly looking over your shoulder when walking alone to reassure yourself no one is following you.

Unfortunately, that's the reality for women around the world. Despite the many laws protecting women in the United States, there's a long way to go for women to feel comfortable. We live in a modern society that's more conscious of the many fears women hold. Access to counseling for womens issues and other resources is abundant. But even still, looking at the news headlines of any given day makes those fears warranted.

According to the United Nations, one in three women worldwide falls victim to physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. That's billions of women! It can happen to any woman, and the fears of those worst-case scenarios can be crippling.

Embedded Fears

Whether you're a victim of physical or sexual violence, you're aware of what could happen. That fear doesn't come out of nowhere. It starts from an early age. Those fears are systemic, passed down from generations and often come from simple conversations.

For example, parents often teach young girls not to dress or act a certain way because it might attract unwanted attention. That's not a bad thing. It's the reality of the world we live in, and parents have no choice but to warn young girls about what kinds of atrocities could lurk around any dark corner.

Women who are unfortunate enough to grow up in families where violence and unhealthy power dynamics are an everyday part of life see the dark possibilities firsthand. In many cases, those women suffer emotional and behavioral issues later in life.

So what's the solution? We have a long way to go until women can walk around without worrying about potential dangers. The best thing you can do as a woman is to speak up. Consider getting counseling for womens issues to discuss your fears. You'll quickly find that you're not alone, and working with others can help you live a more confident and safe life.

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