"My hunch is that they might appreciate some of the protectiveness too."

Nobody appreciates "protectiveness" for its own sake.

Folks know full well that all censorship and unrelenting evangelism is merely "protectiveness." And it doesn't matter what your age is, everyone calls out the party telling them that they're going to Hell for not joining ( name of arbitrary denomination ) or that they cannot be allowed to reread or share a beloved novel.

Now many folks will appreciate back-up from someone defending their choices whether to engage or refrain from an activity. But we all know that you only believe in defending a girl if she refrains. That you will protect her only to the degree that she is inactive, but will do nothing whatsoever to protect her from those who would punish her and exploit her to further a prosecutorial agenda.

( Insert here the standard Ethan call for some change unsupported by anything so radical as calling for the removal of the laws required to effect that change. "A political non-starter." )

"girls do have to get used to a lifetime of being whistled at and mentally undressed and all -- and the prettier they are, the more of it they have to deal with."

Ever actually talked to one or listened to one?

Its fascinating how the experience radically shifts when the person goes from the merely pleasing to the ravishing beauty.

At some point on the beauty spectrum the approaches drop off entirely. Its not uncommon to hear testimony from those who were great beauties at an early age that they were never asked out in school or at college. When everyone assumes that they're out of their league, nobody asks.

I've also found that the staggering beauties are also among the smartest.

I worked with a guy who was an African-American Brad Pitt equivalent. Teen girls practically followed him down the street. But he also spoke over 5 languages and was better versed in the Latin classics than anyone I've ever met.

He told me once that he realized early on that his looks meant that everyone would give him a "pass" when it came to smarts. And that if he wanted more, he would have to prioritize his education because nobody else would.

And one doesn't even have to be a great beauty to have folks stare. My ex-wife had the kind of cleavage that made her appreciate my willingness to make eye-contact.

There's a lot you can learn when you're simply willing to listen to another and support them for who they are.

The crusader will never hear these things because they've made it clear that they only value others for how they can be used in their crusade. And because when the other party hears false statements made too often in lieu of their own authentic views, they quickly realize that speaking in the presence of a crusader of a futile exercise.

But yeah, whatever other people may say or feel or experience, your hunch is that they secretly validate your beliefs and opinions when you aren't around. It must be so much easier living in a world where any insult or injury you could inflict is secretly welcomed.

I can't say that I think its a healthy way to treat others. And I'll call the guy trying to talk a girl INTO a choice she doesn't want on the same BS as the guy trying to talk a girl OUT of a choice she wants.

But unlike you, I have no means of knowing what she will want until she tells me.

Dante