Would you say a man's protective instinct is innate, taught or both?

[JaneDee5]

Several men and even young boys still put themselves right in front of danger. There was an article on youtube about a 6 year-old boy saving his younger sister from a dog but it cost him multiple facial surgeries... so young and already making a decision like that. They could've ran the other way in fear and save themselves but usually don't do that. Sadly, sometimes they get badly injured or die in the process.

I'm alive because of my 1st boyfriend pushing me out of the way (placing himself directly in danger) of a drunk driver long ago. We were just 19 at the time. Sadly he died after saying blurting out the last words ''I love you''. He was so young with his whole life ahead.

By placing themselves in danger, they are choosing the other person's life and safety over their own. Is that naturally innate, taught or both?

Naturally innate

Taught

Both

Updates

+1 y

Sometimes I wonder about that strong urge they have about wanting to protect us and others... even if it means their own lives at stake.

[Lionman95]

I´d say it´s both because though there is some kind of natural instict that makes a guy wanna be a protector it´s something he needs other for to teach him by example.
Like a boy learns from the behavior of his father or other role models and if a father mistreats a woman the son will also copy his behavior.
Besides that I´ve observed a different intensity in point of ability and maybe interest in protecting from dangerous situations looking at my life and the life of my friends because some guys show such behavior earlier and more intense than others.
Because I took up into my 20s to figure out that such behavior is masculine behavior, while other guys show that way earlier.

[JaneDee5]

yes it seems to just come naturally from them. It can be 2022 and some things just won't change. The male members in my family are also protective. They won't let us do the same thing for them, risking our lives.

[Lionman95]

Yes it also depends on the way you grow up because I for example come from a rather egalitarian background where girls and boys grew up very similar. Like there wasn´t much of a gentleman and lady culture so to say because the girls did most of the things we guys did like building tents or houses in the trees and other things.
So for me the idea that men have a natural instinct to protect women is something that I took longer to understand and act out.

[Lionman95]

Thanks for considering my opinion helpful

[Imsmurter1]

I think it’s innate. I read somewhere once that men naturally become protective of they see a woman cry. It’s an evolutionary psychology thing. Maybe there is some cultural programming too but it’s hard for that alone to explain the vast diversity of examples.

Also I’m sorry about your boyfriend too he was unthinkably brave.

[JaneDee5]

It has been that way for many, many years. Some things just don't change. Biology I guess.
As for my poor boyfriend, yes it was hard delivering the news to his parents. They're had 4 children; 3 girls and he was their last child and only boy.

[laraWM]

Your story is so sad. I feel bad reading it. He was so brave.
I think it is kinda both innate and taught.
It happened once with my boyfriend but something really minor compared to other stories.

[JaneDee5]

I agree, it's partly biology but they probably also must have seen superheroes on TV or follow by examples taught at home.
Yeah he very brave. That car was meant for me and he chose my life over his. The hardest part was delivering the news to his parents. They had 4 children; he was their 4th, last child and the only boy. I never forgot the mother's screams of pure agony nor the father silent cries.

[laraWM]

Thank you, I feel really sad about your story though

[WhitneySnow]

Naturally innate. It’s a wonderful and really romantic thing.

[Agagagagaga]

Yes, it’s wonderful the way men get killed over women. We’re disposable. Because your precious little baby making uterus is more valuable for creating life than a man ever will be. It’s not romantic. It’s tragic.

[JaneDee5]

I think you're imagining the way it shows up on cartoons, where he's a superhero, saves the girl and they're both save and sound. While that fantasy sounds romantic, that's not really how it does.

I didn't want my boyfriend to die. It's not wonderful nor romantic getting your life saved with the cost of losing him.

[WhitneySnow]

You’re right. I’m sorry.

[Anonymous]

Men are disposable.

[JaneDee5]

This is really sad. I understand it's partially biological but it would be better if they didn't have to die doing it. It would be better if after saving the girl or other loved ones, both are safe and sound.

Here is the irony: The male members in my family won't let us do the same for them; risk our lives and get killed in the process. They would rather die trying to save us than let us do it for them.