Why was it shocking years ago if a girl fought another girl with fists and kicks?

[Danielle93]

I just learned recently my mother used to punch and kick when fighting another girl. She went to an all girls school at the time. She was 13-16 years old back then.

She only fought when the girls instigated it or got physical first. The girls would then complain to the teacher or assistant principal about my mom fighting like a man. Whenever another girl wanted to fight, my mom used to square up and say ''you suck, why are you just slapping and pulling hair, fight me like a guy''. She didn't know and my mom ended up beating her.

The girls used to think that wasn't normal behavior. That was shocking to them. Why was it shocking back then for a girl to throw punches and kicks?

Updates

+1 y

She's not a tomboy nor ever was. She just didn't take crap from them. I don't get why was it a surprise back then. Nowadays, that's getting more common.

[Oigit]

I never got it either. To me its a sign of a strong woman who isn't going to take crap from anyone. But, think it comes from the idea that women are supposed to be the weaker sex and men are supposed to let men protect them. Also I'd definitely say its one of the ways some men project their insecurities onto women. Some guys just have to be the big strong man that protects women. Being around a woman that does not need them to protect 'em could cause them to question their masculinity or make them feel insecure in theirs.

[Gedaria]

Very rare. I find boxing bad but totally disgusting to see women doing it...

[Danielle93]

My mom only did it when the girls used to bully her too much. Another time, a girl made my mom very upset when she spat in her face and laughed. Needless to say, the girl received a punch afterwards. I don't know how I would react if someone spat in my face... that's nasty.

[iseekpinetrees]

Well is ur mom nice n calm? Is it just weird she would be enraged enough to kick some ass

[Danielle93]

Nope, she wouldn't punch and kick asses for no reason. The girls used to bully her and my mom was calm at first (giving them 2 warnings), until she had enough.

[CaptainSmartass]

Because it's not seen as being ladylike.

Simples...

[Danielle93]

Ironically is that's how a fight is like, unlike a catfight. Till this day, my mom sees no point in slapping around in a fight. Her view is something like ''why would I want to slap or pull her hair when I can just punch her''.

[CaptainSmartass]

Fair. If you're gonna fight, fight like a man.

[purplepoppy]

It's hardly ladylike behavior

[Danielle93]

Mom used to give them 2 warnings first. By the time one of the girls got physical first or the one time one girl spat in her face (while laughing too), she started punching and kicking.

[purplepoppy]

Must be awful living among such people. She should have moved to a better area