Do Women Want To Be Rescued?

[Vercingetorix]

There it is. The one thought that no modern woman wants to consider.

And, I'm not referring to an OOA situation. I was recently watching Sex and the City and this was the theme. Granted that Carrie, Sam, Miranda, and Charlotte are "All Manhattan, All the Time", but I think the concept extends beyond their little island.

The modern female wants to think of herself as self-reliant, self-assured, and self-confident to take on any situation that might arise. This attitude applies to her professional, personal, or recreational lives. Yet, are we pre-programmed by nature to assume certain roles: man as the protector and woman as the protected? Or have we evolved beyond that?

As divers, we (men and women) are taught from our very first open water classroom session: when you're underwater, you are on your own. You look to your buddy in case of emergency, such as OOA. But, ultimately, you must take care of yourself. As divers, women must possess real self-assurance, not simple bravado. So, would a woman diver answer differently than her non-diving counterpart?

The intent here is not to start a flame war, but to simply ask the same complex question asked by Carrie Bradshaw:
Do women want to be rescued?

[Foo2]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

The intent here is not to start a flame war, but to simply ask the same complex question asked by Carrie Bradshaw:
Do women want to be rescued?

I'm not even gonna get started on the fact that you watch and quote Sex and the City....mmmhhhhmmmm....man card please...

But to answer your question, personally...I'm a little old fashioned and I don't consider myself a feminist. That being said, I do like to feel like I can take care of myself if I need to. I might be small, but I'm pretty scrappy. At the same time, if someone is trying to hurt me and there is someone standing by and watching, whether they are a guy or a girl, I'd appreciate a little help. As far as everyday kind of stuff, once again I'm old fashioned, I don't have any problem having Fooman2 step in and rescue me. I don't have any problem saying that something is too heavy for me or that I'm too short to reach something. I don't feel that I have anything to prove. Not only that, (please don't take this wrong boys) our men like to feel needed. It kinda helps their egos. I know when Fooman2 has to "rescue" me from something, he feels all macho getting to help out the "little lady". I really feel like it's in our nature to want to be taken care of and in guy's nature to want to take care of us. I know that to some, I'm going to sound like a cave woman...and maybe I do, but I really think that it's instinctive. Just my $.02.

[lucidblue]

From a life perspective: I am independent and know I can survive on my own, both financially and emotionally. I have a good job, I own my home, have close friends and family, etc. Do I want to spend my life being completely independent... no. Having a man you can depend on is a great thing. When someone is trustworthy and truly cares about you, it is easier to let down that guard and "share" your life with someone. Is that being rescued, no I don't think so, it's just having that special person to experience your life with.

From a diving perspective: As in any sport, I know I am ultimately responsible for myself. Hopefully, my buddy is there to do the pre-dive checks and we stay together and look out for each other and can help in an emergency. My buddy is my SO and I trust him with my life. We both look out for each other underwater and while you're responsible for yourself, your actions can effect your buddy. Personally, I would only want to dive with someone I knew I could depend on and whose behavior wouldn't put my life at risk.

[Vercingetorix]

Carrie and I were not really referring to situations where one might be harmed. Rather, do women want to be taken care of in everyday life? Not the "kept woman", not "the princess", but just have a man there to take care of life when it's a bit stressful.

Regarding watching Sex and the City, Miss SmartyPants, how else am I to learn about this complex creature called Women?

[Disneymom]

I think that Foo2 put the whole thing very well.
We're all different - there are still plenty of women out there, I think, that would be perfectly happy to just get married and have someone do everything for them. (I am NOT suggesting that anyone here is like that, and I definitely don't think anyone is.) On the extreme other side, there are those who want no part of assistance, in any shape or form. Most of us probably fall in the middle - I know I do. I am capable of doing things, but I like having my significant other be there for me to assist if I need it, but I also enjoy having that person to share life with as well.
I think (honey, if you're reading this, chime in - and guys, you can probably vouch) men like to be chivalrous, it's just in their nature. I don't think that having "man help" is necessarily neandrethal - they (men) need to be needed, wanted, appreciated, and be able to step in and 'save' us if necessary. And, we like to be taken care of and pampered, too - you know?

[cgvmer]

If they don't want to be rescued can you ask the woman past the breakers to stop screaming 'HELP"....................geez

[ertechsg]

Rick, buddy do we need to go have a beer and talk? Sex and the City, really? As far as learning you are married and have already been trained so don't worry about learning anything new unless the wife wants you too..then she will teach you.(without you even knowing)

[dallasdivergirl]

Speaking from a woman who has going thru a very up & down year (3 moves, 3 jobs, divorce, a few dating encounters, lots of diving, new dog) there were times when I needed someone, anyone to step in & tell me to stop. I push too hard too often. My boss stepped in once, my parents have stepped in several times and so have my sisters. But I do know everything I do rests on my shoulders. I don't have a back up. I completely lost my friend support system.

Would I have loved to had a man around? Sure. But I did that for 4 years and it was worse than being alone.

To sum this all up, I want/need someone I can depend on but I do know that having some one in my life doesn't guarantee that.

If some one wants to rescue me, please do so. I will take cash donations.

[ScubaJenn81]

I like to ask questions and get opinions, and that may seem like I want to be rescued (sometime to my husband) but I ask who ever is around, man or woman. Plus I like to think of it as being informed, not just not going with my guy.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by ertechsg

Rick, buddy do we need to go have a beer and talk?

Sounds good to me. Be advised: as a REAL man,I brew my own beer from scratch (none of that wussy extract brewing for me, thanks)

Sex and the City, really? As far as learning you are married and have already been trained so don't worry about learning anything new unless the wife wants you too..then she will teach you.(without you even knowing)

To quote the inimitable Red Green (a man among men) and my brothers at Possum Lodge:

I'm a man.
I can change.
If I have to.
I guess.

Quando omni flunctus moratati