What's Happening?
Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart, now 38 and a mother of three, is advocating for women to prioritize their safety and trust their instincts over societal pressures to be polite. Smart, who was abducted at age 14 and held captive for nine months in 2002,
shares this message through her new true crime podcast, 'The Survivor Files With Elizabeth Smart,' where she interviews other survivors. She emphasizes that the instinct to be polite and avoid offending others can put women in dangerous situations. Smart teaches her daughters to recognize uncomfortable situations and to remove themselves, stating, "If they felt something was wrong, would just say, nope, I'm waiting for the next elevator."
Why It's Important?
Elizabeth Smart's advocacy addresses a deeply ingrained societal norm that often teaches women to prioritize politeness and deference, potentially at the expense of their personal safety. Her message is particularly impactful given her personal experience as a survivor of a traumatic kidnapping and sexual assault. By encouraging women to trust their gut feelings and act on them, even if it means being perceived as impolite, Smart is challenging a cultural conditioning that can make individuals vulnerable. This initiative is crucial for empowering women and girls to assert their boundaries and make choices that protect them, potentially reducing instances of assault and harm. It also highlights the ongoing need for education on personal safety and self-defense, shifting the focus from victim-blaming to proactive self-protection strategies.
What's Next?
Elizabeth Smart's podcast, 'The Survivor Files With Elizabeth Smart,' will continue to feature stories of survivors, aiming to inspire and educate listeners on resilience and safety. Her message is likely to resonate with parents, educators, and women's safety advocates, potentially leading to broader discussions and educational programs on prioritizing safety over politeness. The podcast could also influence how personal safety is taught to younger generations, encouraging a more assertive and instinct-driven approach. Smart's ongoing public speaking and advocacy will likely continue to raise awareness about the importance of trusting one's intuition and the long-term impact of trauma on survivors.
Beyond the Headlines
Smart's message delves into the psychological and cultural underpinnings of female socialization, where politeness is often conflated with goodness, potentially creating a dangerous internal conflict when faced with threatening situations. Her analogy of a gazelle not getting into an elevator with a lion powerfully illustrates the natural instinct for self-preservation that humans, particularly women, are sometimes taught to suppress. This advocacy has broader implications for gender dynamics and the ongoing effort to dismantle patriarchal norms that can inadvertently contribute to vulnerability. By empowering women to trust their instincts, Smart is not just offering a safety tip but advocating for a fundamental shift in self-perception and agency. Her work also contributes to destigmatizing discussions around sexual assault and trauma, fostering a more supportive environment for survivors to heal and reclaim their lives.
