Women's Fear of Random Attacks

Off Topic
81

[quote]theOUTLAW wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
debraD wrote:
I sure would like to know how walking to and from work and running alone equates to one thinking she’s a badass. Seriously, that is absurd.

Hey, I mean if you live in a nice neighborhood where everyone knows everybody…fine. Walking or running at night by yourself though?..

The whole tone of the thread reeks of “badass” and stupidity. “These women are scared…I don’t care…I run by myself…I’m tough. Yeah. Me too! I’m not going to let a man following me bother me…Only a guy who knows me will rape me…I can’t prevent it from happening anyways…” All the women on here think they’re badass (Again, the 5% exception applies here). All because of a message board.

If this doesn’t satisfy you…take the whole badass thing out of what I said, and everything else still stands.

Still not sure where this is coming from. Are you sure you aren’t colouring this with your own perceptions?

Are you saying that because there is a chance that some 200lb man can beat us down we should treat every man as having the potential to do that? Do you agree then that we should fear and avoid you all? If that’s the case I feel sad for all the men.

Yes. Weigh every person as a possible threat according to your intuition. We don’t live in Candyland.

Candyland was a dangerous fucking place. Land on a dot and you’re fucked. Not to mention that creepy molasses dude(rapist potential). Who’s naive?

The idea is that some people’s intuition has been seriously skewed. They see threats where there are none.

I agree. I addressed this in my first post when I said I don’t believe people should be overly fearful of potential threats. It’s just a matter of using your head.

But when it comes down to it…better safe than sorry?

For example…I was washing my car at one of those pay and spray stations near a wooded area. I see a guy walking towards me…I go into react mode. I then see this same guy out of the corner of my eye stop and reach down into his left boot. I then pull out a small boat anchor that I was transporting in my car. The man looks at me…stutters hello and keeps on walking. Is this extreme paranoia? I don’t care.[/quote]

So tell me what is was exactly that anyone is this thread said explicitly that leads you to believe we wouldn’t actually sense and react appropriately in a similar situation?

You are interpreting an example with the only information being a woman, alone and lacking daylight and reading into that complete denial, naiveté, and obliviousness to ones surroundings. Why would THAT be your default assumption in the absence of any more information?

This says much more about you then it does about me and my attitude!

82

[quote]sluicy wrote:
OctoberGirl wrote:

Some of the posts did have a badass tone.

But it is all in how you interpret the posts. Tone or mood indicators would be good. I suck at tone interpretation.

Some of the posters wrote that they did all this stuff in dangerous areas, or times, or in what could be a dangerous thing, place, time, crowd, but they didn’t mention any precautions. They didn’t say, “but I make sure I look around” or “I carry my car keys in my hand to gouge an attacker” or even that if they have the choice they walk in a group to their car.

Nope… nooooo precautions mentioned at all as they wander alone on their dark city streets late at night. … come on…

I don’t think anyone is telling folks to be afraid constantly.

and it is stupid not to look behind you if you are alone and some stranger is walking behind you, man or woman. What are you trying to prove? It takes a lot more courage to turn around and look that person in the face and maybe make a fool of yourself.

I think the point of Debra’s original post was the attitude in which you approach the danger possible around you. Not being paranoid is not the same as not being aware. I have seen nothing to indicate that any of the women posting here are irrationally naiive when it comes to protecting themselves.

I personally will carry any one of: mace, a knife, a tazer. I constantly survey my surroundings and know the cars and the habits of the people which frequent where I live. I try to project a natural sense of confidence and awareness of my surroundings.

When I go out at night (which I do best to avoid) I am VERY aware of my surroundings and open-get in-lock the vehicle as quickly as possible, as well as taking the dog.

Am I paranoid? no. Am I scared? no. Am I aware that there is a lot of crime in my area and I could become a victim? yes, and take precaution to help that not happen.

IF IT DOES… is not the same as fatalistically saying it will.[/quote]

This is good. Nobody was really addressing this, so I assumed otherwise.

83

[quote]sluicy wrote:
OctoberGirl wrote:

Some of the posts did have a badass tone.

But it is all in how you interpret the posts. Tone or mood indicators would be good. I suck at tone interpretation.

Some of the posters wrote that they did all this stuff in dangerous areas, or times, or in what could be a dangerous thing, place, time, crowd, but they didn’t mention any precautions. They didn’t say, “but I make sure I look around” or “I carry my car keys in my hand to gouge an attacker” or even that if they have the choice they walk in a group to their car.

Nope… nooooo precautions mentioned at all as they wander alone on their dark city streets late at night. … come on…

I don’t think anyone is telling folks to be afraid constantly.

and it is stupid not to look behind you if you are alone and some stranger is walking behind you, man or woman. What are you trying to prove? It takes a lot more courage to turn around and look that person in the face and maybe make a fool of yourself.

I think the point of Debra’s original post was the attitude in which you approach the danger possible around you. Not being paranoid is not the same as not being aware. I have seen nothing to indicate that any of the women posting here are irrationally naiive when it comes to protecting themselves.

I personally will carry any one of: mace, a knife, a tazer. I constantly survey my surroundings and know the cars and the habits of the people which frequent where I live. I try to project a natural sense of confidence and awareness of my surroundings.

When I go out at night (which I do best to avoid) I am VERY aware of my surroundings and open-get in-lock the vehicle as quickly as possible, as well as taking the dog.

Am I paranoid? no. Am I scared? no. Am I aware that there is a lot of crime in my area and I could become a victim? yes, and take precaution to help that not happen.

IF IT DOES… is not the same as fatalistically saying it will.[/quote]

See it is all that tone thing.

I don’t know anyone that is paranoid. I imagine it would be annoying.

I don’t have any of those things, but that would be a handy addition to my purse.

Being aware is probably the key.

Like I said, folks have sublimated their natural inclinations and intuitions in deference to politeness, or being badass. The book “The Gift of Fear” doesn’t tell you to be afraid, it tells you to pay attention to the hairs on the back of your neck. To look around. To be ready to fight for your life if you have to, but first you have to perceive the threat to act.

84

[quote]debraD wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
debraD wrote:
I sure would like to know how walking to and from work and running alone equates to one thinking she’s a badass. Seriously, that is absurd.

Hey, I mean if you live in a nice neighborhood where everyone knows everybody…fine. Walking or running at night by yourself though?..

The whole tone of the thread reeks of “badass” and stupidity. “These women are scared…I don’t care…I run by myself…I’m tough. Yeah. Me too! I’m not going to let a man following me bother me…Only a guy who knows me will rape me…I can’t prevent it from happening anyways…” All the women on here think they’re badass (Again, the 5% exception applies here). All because of a message board.

If this doesn’t satisfy you…take the whole badass thing out of what I said, and everything else still stands.

Still not sure where this is coming from. Are you sure you aren’t colouring this with your own perceptions?

Are you saying that because there is a chance that some 200lb man can beat us down we should treat every man as having the potential to do that? Do you agree then that we should fear and avoid you all? If that’s the case I feel sad for all the men.

Yes. Weigh every person as a possible threat according to your intuition. We don’t live in Candyland.

Candyland was a dangerous fucking place. Land on a dot and you’re fucked. Not to mention that creepy molasses dude(rapist potential). Who’s naive?

The idea is that some people’s intuition has been seriously skewed. They see threats where there are none.

I agree. I addressed this in my first post when I said I don’t believe people should be overly fearful of potential threats. It’s just a matter of using your head.

But when it comes down to it…better safe than sorry?

For example…I was washing my car at one of those pay and spray stations near a wooded area. I see a guy walking towards me…I go into react mode. I then see this same guy out of the corner of my eye stop and reach down into his left boot. I then pull out a small boat anchor that I was transporting in my car. The man looks at me…stutters hello and keeps on walking. Is this extreme paranoia? I don’t care.

So tell me what is was exactly that anyone is this thread said explicitly that leads you to believe we wouldn’t actually sense and react appropriately in a similar situation?

You are interpreting an example with the only information being a woman, alone and lacking daylight and reading into that complete denial, naiveté, and obliviousness to ones surroundings. Why would THAT be your default assumption in the absence of any more information?

This says much more about you then it does about me and my attitude![/quote]

Well…that’s because I believe most people are stupid.

EDIT: This was the reason why I threw the whole “badass” thing out there. A lot of people have that attitude. So I infer from that that those people are stupid, which is what led to that assumption.

85

I don’t think anyone is advocating free for all foolishness. However, I think it depends on your perception of the world. Perhaps where you live as well.

Anyone larger than me has the ability and means to harm me. Because I’m not a physically large person most adults are bigger than me. Therefore, they have the means to harm me whether it’s a man or a woman. Does that mean I should live my life expecting a blow from anyone that is able to deliver it? Some people do live that way. I don’t. The blow may fall on me but I’m not living expecting it. That isn’t badass. It’s an optimistic view of people.

To some degree, we choose how we perceive our world. I’d rather reside to some degree in Candyland than have such a dark view of everyone around me.

86

Well said Ouroboro. I agree completely.

87

[quote]ouroboro_s wrote:
I don’t think anyone is advocating free for all foolishness. However, I think it depends on your perception of the world. Perhaps where you live as well.

Anyone larger than me has the ability and means to harm me. Because I’m not a physically large person most adults are bigger than me. Therefore, they have the means to harm me whether it’s a man or a woman. Does that mean I should live my life expecting a blow from anyone that is able to deliver it? Some people do live that way. I don’t. The blow may fall on me but I’m not living expecting it. That isn’t badass. It’s an optimistic view of people.

To some degree, we choose how we perceive our world. I’d rather reside to some degree in Candyland than have such a dark view of everyone around me.[/quote]

Which shifts to the other thing I mentioned…naivete.

But I agree, it depends on where you live and on how you were brought up in a particular environment.

It also depends on your perception of people and situations. When you’ve encountered or heard of a negative experience in a certain situation, you tend to utilize guilt by association. I prefer to live in reality.

EDIT: I don’t mean that my head’s on a swivel all the time…just that I tone up or tone down the awareness depending on where I’m at.

88

I put this in my log this morning, and since this thread is so closely related I’m wondering what you all think. Regarding BJJ:

I haven’t really been taking self defense seriously. Honestly the whole idea of actually using any of this in real life (other than playing) seems a bit ridiculous. You’re going to arm bar a stranger? They’re not going to tap, and if they do, you just let them go? Won’t it all start over? Also, in what situations are you supposed to initiate violence? I understand the extremes, but most of life is not the extremes. I frequently encounter random guys that don’t understand personal space, I’m not initiating violence with them.

I went out the other day, and while waiting outside, some drunk guy bear hugged me from behind. At the time I thought, huh t-postion, grab pants toss to ground, but all I did was swat at him and tell him to let go. When do you know if it’s toss or stern voice? Isn’t the point to make the toss a reflex? But then, being impaled on the the cement (the chances of a random guy knowing how to break fall is low) is way too harsh of a punishment for being drunk and touchy. Is it just something you know, and I’ve yet to encounter it?

89

[quote]theOUTLAW wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
debraD wrote:
I sure would like to know how walking to and from work and running alone equates to one thinking she’s a badass. Seriously, that is absurd.

Hey, I mean if you live in a nice neighborhood where everyone knows everybody…fine. Walking or running at night by yourself though?..

The whole tone of the thread reeks of “badass” and stupidity. “These women are scared…I don’t care…I run by myself…I’m tough. Yeah. Me too! I’m not going to let a man following me bother me…Only a guy who knows me will rape me…I can’t prevent it from happening anyways…” All the women on here think they’re badass (Again, the 5% exception applies here). All because of a message board.

If this doesn’t satisfy you…take the whole badass thing out of what I said, and everything else still stands.

Still not sure where this is coming from. Are you sure you aren’t colouring this with your own perceptions?

Are you saying that because there is a chance that some 200lb man can beat us down we should treat every man as having the potential to do that? Do you agree then that we should fear and avoid you all? If that’s the case I feel sad for all the men.

Yes. Weigh every person as a possible threat according to your intuition. We don’t live in Candyland.

Candyland was a dangerous fucking place. Land on a dot and you’re fucked. Not to mention that creepy molasses dude(rapist potential). Who’s naive?

The idea is that some people’s intuition has been seriously skewed. They see threats where there are none.

I agree. I addressed this in my first post when I said I don’t believe people should be overly fearful of potential threats. It’s just a matter of using your head.

But when it comes down to it…better safe than sorry?

For example…I was washing my car at one of those pay and spray stations by myself near a wooded area. I see a guy walking towards me…I go into react mode. I then see this same guy out of the corner of my eye stop and reach down into his left boot. I then pull out a small boat anchor that I was transporting in my car. The man looks at me…stutters hello and keeps on walking. Is this extreme paranoia? I don’t care.[/quote]

I agree as well. All I’m trying to get across is that too safe seems to be the prevailing opinion, and not everything is a threat. People would notice if they cared to. A guy walking toward you? Watch him and try to see his intentions, don’t run away or pull a knife. The same guy reaches in his boot? All bets are off. Assess the situation and react accordingly. It seems some people are too unintelligent to pull this off (e.g. those girls I walk behind).

90

[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
sluicy wrote:
OctoberGirl wrote:

Some of the posts did have a badass tone.

But it is all in how you interpret the posts. Tone or mood indicators would be good. I suck at tone interpretation.

Some of the posters wrote that they did all this stuff in dangerous areas, or times, or in what could be a dangerous thing, place, time, crowd, but they didn’t mention any precautions. They didn’t say, “but I make sure I look around” or “I carry my car keys in my hand to gouge an attacker” or even that if they have the choice they walk in a group to their car.

Nope… nooooo precautions mentioned at all as they wander alone on their dark city streets late at night. … come on…

I don’t think anyone is telling folks to be afraid constantly.

and it is stupid not to look behind you if you are alone and some stranger is walking behind you, man or woman. What are you trying to prove? It takes a lot more courage to turn around and look that person in the face and maybe make a fool of yourself.

I think the point of Debra’s original post was the attitude in which you approach the danger possible around you. Not being paranoid is not the same as not being aware. I have seen nothing to indicate that any of the women posting here are irrationally naiive when it comes to protecting themselves.

I personally will carry any one of: mace, a knife, a tazer. I constantly survey my surroundings and know the cars and the habits of the people which frequent where I live. I try to project a natural sense of confidence and awareness of my surroundings.

When I go out at night (which I do best to avoid) I am VERY aware of my surroundings and open-get in-lock the vehicle as quickly as possible, as well as taking the dog.

Am I paranoid? no. Am I scared? no. Am I aware that there is a lot of crime in my area and I could become a victim? yes, and take precaution to help that not happen.

IF IT DOES… is not the same as fatalistically saying it will.

See it is all that tone thing.

I don’t know anyone that is paranoid. I imagine it would be annoying.

I don’t have any of those things, but that would be a handy addition to my purse.

Being aware is probably the key.

Like I said, folks have sublimated their natural inclinations and intuitions in deference to politeness, or being badass. The book “The Gift of Fear” doesn’t tell you to be afraid, it tells you to pay attention to the hairs on the back of your neck. To look around. To be ready to fight for your life if you have to, but first you have to perceive the threat to act.

[/quote]

Well, no one mentioned precautions vs. mental state to differentiate the discussion… and yes I would recommend that every woman carry one of the three with which she is familiar (and also a loud voice)… and that’s the third or fourth time you’ve mentioned that book so I’m going to look for it at Half-Price tomorrow.

91

[quote]pch2 wrote:
I put this in my log this morning, and since this thread is so closely related I’m wondering what you all think. Regarding BJJ:

I haven’t really been taking self defense seriously. Honestly the whole idea of actually using any of this in real life (other than playing) seems a bit ridiculous. You’re going to arm bar a stranger? They’re not going to tap, and if they do, you just let them go? Won’t it all start over? Also, in what situations are you supposed to initiate violence? I understand the extremes, but most of life is not the extremes. I frequently encounter random guys that don’t understand personal space, I’m not initiating violence with them.

I went out the other day, and while waiting outside, some drunk guy bear hugged me from behind. At the time I thought, huh t-postion, grab pants toss to ground, but all I did was swat at him and tell him to let go. When do you know if it’s toss or stern voice? Isn’t the point to make the toss a reflex? But then, being impaled on the the cement (the chances of a random guy knowing how to break fall is low) is way too harsh of a punishment for being drunk and touchy. Is it just something you know, and I’ve yet to encounter it?[/quote]

It’s your intuition. You didn’t throw the guy because you felt he wasn’t a threat. The point of martial arts is not reaction to any situation, but using your intuition before you react.

92

[quote]theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
I don’t think anyone is advocating free for all foolishness. However, I think it depends on your perception of the world. Perhaps where you live as well.

Anyone larger than me has the ability and means to harm me. Because I’m not a physically large person most adults are bigger than me. Therefore, they have the means to harm me whether it’s a man or a woman. Does that mean I should live my life expecting a blow from anyone that is able to deliver it? Some people do live that way. I don’t. The blow may fall on me but I’m not living expecting it. That isn’t badass. It’s an optimistic view of people.

To some degree, we choose how we perceive our world. I’d rather reside to some degree in Candyland than have such a dark view of everyone around me.

Which shifts to the other thing I mentioned…naivete.

But I agree, it depends on where you live and on how you were brought up in a particular environment.

It also depends on your perception of people and situations. When you’ve encountered or heard of a negative experience in a certain sitation, you tend to utilize guilt by association. I prefer to live in reality. [/quote]

So who’s the badass now? What tough times you must’ve endured to have such clarity…

93

[quote]Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
debraD wrote:
I sure would like to know how walking to and from work and running alone equates to one thinking she’s a badass. Seriously, that is absurd.

Hey, I mean if you live in a nice neighborhood where everyone knows everybody…fine. Walking or running at night by yourself though?..

The whole tone of the thread reeks of “badass” and stupidity. “These women are scared…I don’t care…I run by myself…I’m tough. Yeah. Me too! I’m not going to let a man following me bother me…Only a guy who knows me will rape me…I can’t prevent it from happening anyways…” All the women on here think they’re badass (Again, the 5% exception applies here). All because of a message board.

If this doesn’t satisfy you…take the whole badass thing out of what I said, and everything else still stands.

Still not sure where this is coming from. Are you sure you aren’t colouring this with your own perceptions?

Are you saying that because there is a chance that some 200lb man can beat us down we should treat every man as having the potential to do that? Do you agree then that we should fear and avoid you all? If that’s the case I feel sad for all the men.

Yes. Weigh every person as a possible threat according to your intuition. We don’t live in Candyland.

Candyland was a dangerous fucking place. Land on a dot and you’re fucked. Not to mention that creepy molasses dude(rapist potential). Who’s naive?

The idea is that some people’s intuition has been seriously skewed. They see threats where there are none.

I agree. I addressed this in my first post when I said I don’t believe people should be overly fearful of potential threats. It’s just a matter of using your head.

But when it comes down to it…better safe than sorry?

For example…I was washing my car at one of those pay and spray stations by myself near a wooded area. I see a guy walking towards me…I go into react mode. I then see this same guy out of the corner of my eye stop and reach down into his left boot. I then pull out a small boat anchor that I was transporting in my car. The man looks at me…stutters hello and keeps on walking. Is this extreme paranoia? I don’t care.

I agree as well. All I’m trying to get across is that too safe seems to be the prevailing opinion, and not everything is a threat. People would notice if they cared to. A guy walking toward you? Watch him and try to see his intentions, don’t run away or pull a knife. The same guy reaches in his boot? All bets are off. Assess the situation and react accordingly. It seems some people are too unintelligent to pull this off (e.g. those girls I walk behind).[/quote]

yep… being aware is the key.

but cut the girls some slack! they don’t know you, and aren’t most serial killers are white guys… you don’t drive a yellow Volkswagon do you?

94

[quote]Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
debraD wrote:
I sure would like to know how walking to and from work and running alone equates to one thinking she’s a badass. Seriously, that is absurd.

Hey, I mean if you live in a nice neighborhood where everyone knows everybody…fine. Walking or running at night by yourself though?..

The whole tone of the thread reeks of “badass” and stupidity. “These women are scared…I don’t care…I run by myself…I’m tough. Yeah. Me too! I’m not going to let a man following me bother me…Only a guy who knows me will rape me…I can’t prevent it from happening anyways…” All the women on here think they’re badass (Again, the 5% exception applies here). All because of a message board.

If this doesn’t satisfy you…take the whole badass thing out of what I said, and everything else still stands.

Still not sure where this is coming from. Are you sure you aren’t colouring this with your own perceptions?

Are you saying that because there is a chance that some 200lb man can beat us down we should treat every man as having the potential to do that? Do you agree then that we should fear and avoid you all? If that’s the case I feel sad for all the men.

Yes. Weigh every person as a possible threat according to your intuition. We don’t live in Candyland.

Candyland was a dangerous fucking place. Land on a dot and you’re fucked. Not to mention that creepy molasses dude(rapist potential). Who’s naive?

The idea is that some people’s intuition has been seriously skewed. They see threats where there are none.

I agree. I addressed this in my first post when I said I don’t believe people should be overly fearful of potential threats. It’s just a matter of using your head.

But when it comes down to it…better safe than sorry?

For example…I was washing my car at one of those pay and spray stations by myself near a wooded area. I see a guy walking towards me…I go into react mode. I then see this same guy out of the corner of my eye stop and reach down into his left boot. I then pull out a small boat anchor that I was transporting in my car. The man looks at me…stutters hello and keeps on walking. Is this extreme paranoia? I don’t care.

I agree as well. All I’m trying to get across is that too safe seems to be the prevailing opinion, and not everything is a threat. People would notice if they cared to. A guy walking toward you? Watch him and try to see his intentions, don’t run away or pull a knife. The same guy reaches in his boot? All bets are off. Assess the situation and react accordingly. It seems some people are too unintelligent to pull this off (e.g. those girls I walk behind).[/quote]

This is true and such is life.

95

[quote]debraD wrote:
theOUTLAW wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
I don’t think anyone is advocating free for all foolishness. However, I think it depends on your perception of the world. Perhaps where you live as well.

Anyone larger than me has the ability and means to harm me. Because I’m not a physically large person most adults are bigger than me. Therefore, they have the means to harm me whether it’s a man or a woman. Does that mean I should live my life expecting a blow from anyone that is able to deliver it? Some people do live that way. I don’t. The blow may fall on me but I’m not living expecting it. That isn’t badass. It’s an optimistic view of people.

To some degree, we choose how we perceive our world. I’d rather reside to some degree in Candyland than have such a dark view of everyone around me.

Which shifts to the other thing I mentioned…naivete.

But I agree, it depends on where you live and on how you were brought up in a particular environment.

It also depends on your perception of people and situations. When you’ve encountered or heard of a negative experience in a certain sitation, you tend to utilize guilt by association. I prefer to live in reality.

So who’s the badass now? What tough times you must’ve endured to have such clarity…
[/quote]

Don’t be jealous…not everybody can be as tough as me.

96

…sigh…but I can dream… :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue:

97

I’ve been assaulted more times than any girl I know. Now I’m a bit more cautious about what I say, where I go etc and I haven’t been assaulted in years.

I have a daughter, a toddler right now. My plan is to teach her to be smart, not afraid. How this will go with her mother’s attitude, I don’t know, hopefully she will pick up on the “smart” thing because it will be the common thread!

My wife is afraid of everything, but she is aware of it and she does her best to choose or reject that which she fears. I think that takes courage. It still shits me sometimes, but I can see the bigger picture.

Those fears always start somewhere, and it doesn’t have to be direct experience. There is no quick fix when it comes to fear. I applaud anyone who makes the choice to confront their fears or work through them.

98

Debra you’ve made an interesting thread

see… this is when I always think it would be fun to get all these folks together for a dinner party, a bonfire, a BBQ, whatever.

99

[quote]theOUTLAW wrote:

Well…that’s because I believe most people are stupid.

EDIT: This was the reason why I threw the whole “badass” thing out there. A lot of people have that attitude. So I infer from that that those people are stupid, which is what led to that assumption.[/quote]

I have that attitude because I earned it. Until my daughter is finished her training. Which is after a couple of years of full contact MA. She phones me at any hour anyday whether she’s with me or her mother. Take my word for it, she will be badass and ready to take on the world.

Your problem is you think badass means stupid. To me it means don’t fuck with me or mine!