What do you think of the notion of "women and children first" during a disaster?

[HockeyMom]

54. Not disaster, but my experience riding the NYC subways

when very pregnant to and from work 30 years ago. I never expected anyone to offer me a seat and most times they they didn't. It was mostly elderly men AND elderely women who did. I always refused and told them I was fine. Sometimes, if lucky to get a seat, if I saw somebody else who was struggling in the packed rush hour car, I would get up. big belly and all, and let THEM sit instead. I hoped that if I needed it someday for to be reciprocated.

It was. The winter of my 8th month they had the heat blasting it the sardine packed car. I started feeling like I was going to pass out. The car was spinning, but even at the next stop I could have never pushed my way to get out. In front of me were men and women of all ages, but an elderly woman got up and told me to sit. "You look sick", she said to me. I told her the heat was making me dizzy, and said thank you, and that I would give her her seat back when I felt better. She took out a bottle of water from her bag and told me to drink it. I was about ready to get up again, but she got off the train.


I guess I am saying that there can't be a simple solution. It just depends on the circumstances. Generally, those most able should HELP those less physically strong, disabled, old, very young, etc. It's just the HUMAN thing to do.

9/11 was the biggest disaster of our history. We had female 1st responders who died, got injured, helping others. We also heard of "civilians" going back up stairs, into the buildings, to help others; men and women.

It's called doing the RIGHT THING.