Is it a stereotype when people think men should not hit girls?

Question

Is it? If it is, it would hypocritical of people who are against stereotypes but have this belief. I was reading a question about it and just thought to myself. Is this stereotypical? I'm a guy and i'm a bit more burly than most people around here but I wouldn't usually hit a girl, or a guy. I haven't hit anyone before/yet. If I were to hit anyone. I think it's sort of okay to hit someone who was just as bulky as me or someone who really truly deserves it. Not just because he/she was snotty or annoying. I just think it's wrong to hit a girl or a guy who is sort of thin and I could really hurt bad physically with a punch. If I were to ever do that though. The person would have to truly be evil as in malevolent and would do things intending to harm. What do you think?

If a man should not hit a woman, would you say a woman should not hit a man? Just a question.

I just would like to challenge this. I do believe that a man should not hit a woman.

When I said "I think it's sort of okay to hit someone just as bulky as me", I still apply the I-will-only-hit-you-because-you-did-some-unspeakable-act thing but for less serious but still serious acts.

Answer 1

Its not a stereotype, because the reason lies in an actual physical difference between men and women. The average woman is smaller, and has less muscle mass and upper body strength than the average man. (This is why it's easier for a man to carry heavy objects at shoulder height, while women tend to carry heavy items at waist height.) All this to say, that a man could do a lot more damage hitting a woman than a woman can do hitting a man. Of course, there are exceptions--there are big, strong women out there, and small, physically weak men, and you could pair them and the woman could hurt the man more, but they are the exception.
Of course, nobody should hit anybody, but I agree with the first answer, that a man should not hit a woman unless she is capable of causing him some serious injury.

Answer 2

My take on it is this. No one should hit anyone ever. But the whole man not hitting women thing is because men tend to use thier size strenth for intimidation of women. But yes , I guess it is a stereotype/generalazation to say men are bigger and stronger so they shouldnt hit women, because at 5/8 and 200+ lbs. I could probably hold my own with most guys.
As for women hitting men. I think it happens because females assume they can do it and get away with it because a guy isnt supposed to hit them back. My opinion............if you step into a mans shoes and hit a man, you should be treated as a man would be treated and knocked the F&k out!!

Answer 3

No, that's not a stereotype, it's a convention. An example of a stereotype would be a generalization that girls are fragile and weak.

To answer your question, hitting anyone, male or female, is likely to be considered assault, depending on the laws of your state or country. If you were acting in self-defense, you may be able to justify the assault, but in general hitting people is disfavored by most Western societies. It sounds like your personal convention is within the dictates of the law.

Answer 4

Someone was having this discussion on a different board earlier, and some of the major points mentioned was that despite the fact that it doesn't help the situation much to hit people anyway, it would be alright to hit someone if they try to fight you. If it's a girl, it depends on the individual, you know? If they're really trying to mess you up in a serious way, I wouldn't just go easy on them because of their gender. Just consider their physical frame along with their weight and other factors before anything does happen, and try to equal whatever force they're using on you.

Answer 5

I, too, have thought about this. I am personally a bit insulted when people say that you shouldn't hit a woman just because of her femininity. It perpetuates a stereotype of women being weak and helpless. Go ahead, if you'd hit a guy, hit me! I'm not saying I could take you, I probably can't, but don't discriminate!

Answer 6

Well, it is a generalization, but it is one that has saved lives so it is a good rule. Like any rule, of course, there are exceptions. For instance, if a big evil woman is coming at you with a butcher knife...
It comes down to respect. Some women like to fight, and would be insulted if a man refused to hit them based on their feminity, but most women don't need that to feel good about themselves. A basic rule is don't strike a woman unless it is in jest and she is expecting it, or you honestly fear for your life.

Answer 7

I think that it's inappropriate for anyone, male or female, to hit in most situations. However, maybe it needs to be emphasized for men not to hit women because abuse of women by men is so much more common in our society than abuse of women by men. Men are usually bigger and stronger so the injustice of a man hitting a woman is more obvious.

Answer 8

Dear one, unless you are physically attacked yourself, and have to defend yourself,in no way should you physically hit anyone. The fist is not the answer___ Mature individuals figure other ways to settle differences. It's mot about 'stereotype' it's about common sense.