El País journalist urges men to switch sidewalks
An El País reporter suggests men change sides of the street to avoid frightening women, sparking a fierce debate on safety and gender.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
El País journalist's call for men to cross the street ignites outrage
A journalist from the Spanish newspaper El País suggested that men should switch to the other side of the sidewalk when passing a woman to make her feel safer. Far from generating consensus, the proposal has triggered a wave of criticism questioning the very basis of the argument. What began as well-intentioned advice has become a symbol of the growing gender divide and how superficial solutions can mask deeper issues.
The trap of perception versus data
The journalist’s central argument is that a woman may feel threatened when crossing paths with an unknown man, especially at night. The recommendation: the man should divert his path to avoid this. However, critics point out that the feeling of insecurity does not always correspond to actual risk. Crime statistics show that most sensual assaults occur in familiar environments and by people within one’s close circle, not by strangers on the street. Therefore, switching sidewalks does not reduce real danger but rather fuels unfounded paranoia.
Furthermore, it has been noted that such measures could paradoxically increase risk: if women feel safer because men step aside, they might lower their guard in situations where the danger is real. As stated in the analysis, "we solve an imaginary problem and aggravate the real one."
The double standard of safety
Another line of opinion points to hypocrisy: while men are asked to step aside, the same is not demanded of other groups with higher crime rates. Comparisons have been made to the eighties, when people would move away from drug addicts to avoid trouble, now repeated ironically regarding men, as if all were potential aggressors.
The underlying issue is whether this is a measure of courtesy or an imposition based on prejudice. Most comments reject the idea as paternalistic, sens, and useless. "If she’s so scared, take a taxi," summarizes a widespread stance. Others, more sarcastic, suggest the woman should be the one to switch sidewalks if she feels unsafe.
The cost of distrust
Beyond the anecdote, this debate reveals a broader problem: the erosion of social trust. When such a recommendation becomes a national topic, it signals that something is failing in coexistence. The journalist, who signed with a male name (Jacobo), faced criticism even for that detail, accused of appropriating a perspective that does not belong to her. The video accompanying her article was already old, but the reactions have not aged well.
The lingering question is whether proposals like these help or hinder the fight for equality. For now, evidence suggests they generate more noise than solutions.
Related forum discussions
A journalist from the Spanish newspaper El País suggested that men should switch to the other side of the sidewalk when passing a woman to make her feel safer. Far from generating consensus, the proposal has triggered a wave of criticism questioning the very basis of the argument. What began as well-intentioned advice has become a symbol of the growing gender divide and how superficial solutions can mask deeper issues.
The trap of perception versus data
The journalist’s central argument is that a woman may feel threatened when crossing paths with an unknown man, especially at night. The recommendation: the man should divert his path to avoid this. However, critics point out that the feeling of insecurity does not always correspond to actual risk. Crime statistics show that most sensual assaults occur in familiar environments and by people within one’s close circle, not by strangers on the street. Therefore, switching sidewalks does not reduce real danger but rather fuels unfounded paranoia.
Furthermore, it has been noted that such measures could paradoxically increase risk: if women feel safer because men step aside, they might lower their guard in situations where the danger is real. As stated in the analysis, "we solve an imaginary problem and aggravate the real one."
The double standard of safety
Another line of opinion points to hypocrisy: while men are asked to step aside, the same is not demanded of other groups with higher crime rates. Comparisons have been made to the eighties, when people would move away from drug addicts to avoid trouble, now repeated ironically regarding men, as if all were potential aggressors.
The underlying issue is whether this is a measure of courtesy or an imposition based on prejudice. Most comments reject the idea as paternalistic, sens, and useless. "If she’s so scared, take a taxi," summarizes a widespread stance. Others, more sarcastic, suggest the woman should be the one to switch sidewalks if she feels unsafe.
The cost of distrust
Beyond the anecdote, this debate reveals a broader problem: the erosion of social trust. When such a recommendation becomes a national topic, it signals that something is failing in coexistence. The journalist, who signed with a male name (Jacobo), faced criticism even for that detail, accused of appropriating a perspective that does not belong to her. The video accompanying her article was already old, but the reactions have not aged well.
The lingering question is whether proposals like these help or hinder the fight for equality. For now, evidence suggests they generate more noise than solutions.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (159 replies).
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