Good points, but to me it reminds me of people who are terrified of sharks or of flying in airplanes. Shark attacks and plane crashes are reported so often that you'd be forgiven if you believed that they happened constantly. But the reality is, very few people are attacked by sharks and air travel is often very safe. Similarly, we're constantly reminded of serial killers and rapists who stalk women and kidnap them only to slash them up later, stories of sexual assault or sexually-driven violence are common. But the reality is that while it still happens, the fear of it is far more prominent than actual instances of it.
Let's not forget, it's not strangers that commit the most rapes, yet it's usually strangers that are under the most scrutiny. Which is understandable, I expect lots of people to be very cautious around people they're unfamiliar with when it's dark and quiet outside. But it grinds my gears when that discomfort is turned into hostility. I know not all feminists are like that and I am extremely thankful for that, but it's a toxic mentality that I see far too often.
And yes I am aware that sexual assault happens more often than shark attacks and plane crashes, I was just comparing them because I think the same mentality is at play. I often hear feminists speak about how they're terrified of rejecting advances from men because they're afraid of being murdered, as if it's such a common occurrence. While it could be argued that I'm directing my frustration in the wrong direction, I do believe that this extreme paranoia contributes to sexism. Not sexism against men, not sexism against women, just "sexism" as a whole.
