Is it normal for my male friends to be protective of me even though we’re not romantically involved?

[Anonymous]

I’ve quite a few male friends, gay and straight and all purely plutonic. But I’ve found they become protective of me, usually when it comes to blokes I’m dating or talking to.

I’m very independent, I’m not the kind of woman who “needs” a man or even lots of help from guys, and it always surprises me when they’re like this. One guy even threatened to punch anyone who hurt me!

Is this normal? Do guys feel this way about all the women in their lives?

[Summeroflove]

It’s a good thing as long as it isn’t to a extreme. It’s good to have good friends that watch out for one another. It annoys me when someone says they don’t need a man/woman…. Many people don’t need someone but they want someone.

[Asker]

Yes but wanting and needing are 2 different things. I’m happy in my life, I have friends and family that I love. I’m content. However if someone comes along who I think is awesome and who I can fall in love with then of course I’ll WANT to be with them.
I’m not anti-love or relationships, I’m just not going to be with someone because I need to not be alone or I need them to make me feel better about myself!

There are a lot of people out there with people they don’t really want to be with because they need to be with someone.
Which is the better or more emotionally healthy way?

Besides what I really meant was that I don’t ask them to look out for me which is why I’m always surprised when they are protective.
I think it’s really nice, I just didn’t expect them to be that way!

[Summeroflove]

Well I’m glad you have such great friends and family. I agree. Some people are with someone they’re totally miserable with. It doesn’t make any sense to me but I guess some people get lonely or whatever it is.

[Summeroflove]

That’s what friends do is look out for one another.

[Anonymous]

Yes and no. It's normal for a guy to do that. It's not normal for a guy to verbalize it. Protecting womanhood is "being a guy101". But a guy doesn't need to talk about it. It should be automatic, like breathing.

[BrightBubblyKat]

Yes, they treat you like you’re their little sister.

[Staximus]

Yes, that's how we do it