The active, predatory young and older men who described the hunting phase of their lives in detail, were at pains to explain how they were different. They pointed out that they were just as much approached by women as making the first moves themselves.
It is well known that enquiring about those things that an individual dislikes in others may uncover feelings about the parts of himself with which he is uncomfortable: what has been described as his hidden shadow (Samuels, 1985). A man may imply, ‘Others behave like this all the time, but I am different.’ In the next breath he is likely to explain that all men have an instinct to prey on women.
Does contraception come into this at all? This author believes it does, for contraception may be seen as a defence from being preyed upon (trapped in pregnancy). It can also be a protection against sexually transmitted disease, and it can be a useful barrier for those men who do not want too much emotional closeness with a woman.
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