Anonymous
Well-known member
Hello, I am a woman who experiences some unpleasant emotions when I am in close contact with men. I feel sort of mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I feel frightened of them because, although I haven't experienced a lot of bad treatment myself, I have heard so many stories from others about abuse, harassment, etc. I am afraid they will hurt me, or stare at me in a degrading manner, or heap verbal abuse on me. These thoughts pop into my head whenever I am alone with men I am unfamiliar with. Sadly, these thoughts are coming to me now even when I am alone with male family members. Also, I know it is strange, but I get quite jumpy and stressed when a single man comes to check out his goods at my job at a grocery store. Do you women feel this way? Are these thoughts irrational? How do I get over these feelings?
On the other hand, I am single, and heterosexual, and find men very attractive. I would like to get married one day, and have children. Thus, I also feel very insecure around men, and worry about whether I am being approved of by them -- I worry about whether they think I am beautiful and confident, and basically adequate as a woman. I worry that they will dislike me and not accept me.
In other words, I am really obsessed by men, but I try my hardest to avoid them because they make me so upset. Ladies, any comments would be appreciated. Also, I have read some other threads, and I REALLY do not want to hear any paranoid rants by bitter men.
On the one hand, I feel frightened of them because, although I haven't experienced a lot of bad treatment myself, I have heard so many stories from others about abuse, harassment, etc. I am afraid they will hurt me, or stare at me in a degrading manner, or heap verbal abuse on me. These thoughts pop into my head whenever I am alone with men I am unfamiliar with. Sadly, these thoughts are coming to me now even when I am alone with male family members. Also, I know it is strange, but I get quite jumpy and stressed when a single man comes to check out his goods at my job at a grocery store. Do you women feel this way? Are these thoughts irrational? How do I get over these feelings?
On the other hand, I am single, and heterosexual, and find men very attractive. I would like to get married one day, and have children. Thus, I also feel very insecure around men, and worry about whether I am being approved of by them -- I worry about whether they think I am beautiful and confident, and basically adequate as a woman. I worry that they will dislike me and not accept me.
In other words, I am really obsessed by men, but I try my hardest to avoid them because they make me so upset. Ladies, any comments would be appreciated. Also, I have read some other threads, and I REALLY do not want to hear any paranoid rants by bitter men.