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A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do
Sassy single gal, high-powered exec in high heels, carefree college co-ed, harried soccer mom-- no matter who you are, you deserve to feel secure doing your own thing anytime, anywhere. With a little help from the Safety Chick, it's a cinch. Sharing lessons she's learned--the hard way--along with proven tips from a battery of experts in street smarts, Kathleen Baty gets specific about what to pack for a business trip, where it's safe to shop online, when to report a creepy co-worker, and how to tell that guy who's bothering you at the bar to get lost-- for good. Complete with step-by-step instructions on how to stop an assailant dead in his tracks with your words, your hands, or, if necessary, a few easy-to-use self-defense weapons, this book is a master class in personal safety for women of all ages.
"Many women believe that violence is a mystery that can be understood only by men, but Kathleen Baty knows better. Throughout this book she shows that intuition is deep, brilliant, and powerful."--Gavin de Becker, from the Foreword
"Many women believe that violence is a mystery that can be understood only by men, but Kathleen Baty knows better. Throughout this book she shows that intuition is deep, brilliant, and powerful."--Gavin de Becker, from the Foreword
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 27, 2021
3.5 stars. This book has really good information and was interesting. However, it's also outdated and the language within the book is cringy. While I was reading and cringing at the outdated slang, I noticed that there are several things in the book that wouldn't be acceptable in modern 2021: some slut shaming(pg 48) to victim shaming (pg 44). Good information, good tips, a book that everyone should read if interested in staying safe. The book just needs to be updated. Badly.
February 18, 2020
Really dated at this point. Doesn't discuss cell phones or heroin for example. Also, at 37 I'm probably too old for this book... but even teens are a little more jaded today than what the book offers.
July 20, 2023
Found this searching for more writing by Gavin Debecker (The Gift of Fear); he wrote the foreword. I wanted to like this book, but it struck me more as a great resource for a high school class, with short sections to look at day-by-day and spark discussions. Specific tips, delivered in lists, with a bit of a scolding tone.
I liked the home safety checklist on p. 67, and appreciate the advice that a large dog is a great defense. I think these issues are worth discussing and sharing, but too many of the anecdotes and approaches trivialize or dismiss the seriousness of the material.
For me, this book lists common-sense precautions and behaviors. Say NO, very CLEARLY - to anyone you want out of your space. Telemarketers, strangers, friends who want more of your time or attention than you care to give, etc. Protect your data in public and at home, be AWARE of your surroundings and of all the personal info you're posting online, LOCK your doors, wear your riches in familiar surroundings and at appropriate times.
The book takes self-protection to an extreme, advocating anonymity for your home, your phone, your computer, your mail. It reads like creating a witness protection program for stalking victims; its hard to imagine feeling 'free' and 'safe' living under all of those recommendations. What happens when you go to a different grocery store and the stalker bumps into you?
And 'restraining order' and 'jail terms' are for those that respect law and order. Does that apply to stalkers?
The sections about self defense and firearms, have really good, direct, powerful information. But they also suggest victims need to live as if they're in a war zone to feel safe. Is that the message the author means to send?
The book travels from how to be safe and prevent attacks, into a whole new area, WINNING confrontations. That may be realistic for some, but that should likely be covered in a second book, "When a Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl Wouldn't Want To"?
What should a victim do who is NOT willing to kill or maim another to save themselves?
An aspect of stalking behavior I didn't see addressed is power and control. What direct actions might be taken when being stalked by someone you can identify? For example, can one ask the police to visit the stalker with you? Have that officer as witness and backup as you say, clearly, "you are making me uncomfortable. STOP contacting me, do NOT approach me or my family. Leave us alone." And when the stalker says, "but I like you!" State, "If you do like me, then you will respect my request, do not contact or approach me again." Let the officer ask, "is that clear?" Certainly not appropriate in every situation, but there are many where a direct, clear, supported f2f is the appropriate level.
We are all responsible for our own safety; this book has some great tips and insights. For me many were so extreme, this book begs the question, where does 'self-care' turn into 'self-imprisonment'?
I liked the home safety checklist on p. 67, and appreciate the advice that a large dog is a great defense. I think these issues are worth discussing and sharing, but too many of the anecdotes and approaches trivialize or dismiss the seriousness of the material.
For me, this book lists common-sense precautions and behaviors. Say NO, very CLEARLY - to anyone you want out of your space. Telemarketers, strangers, friends who want more of your time or attention than you care to give, etc. Protect your data in public and at home, be AWARE of your surroundings and of all the personal info you're posting online, LOCK your doors, wear your riches in familiar surroundings and at appropriate times.
The book takes self-protection to an extreme, advocating anonymity for your home, your phone, your computer, your mail. It reads like creating a witness protection program for stalking victims; its hard to imagine feeling 'free' and 'safe' living under all of those recommendations. What happens when you go to a different grocery store and the stalker bumps into you?
And 'restraining order' and 'jail terms' are for those that respect law and order. Does that apply to stalkers?
The sections about self defense and firearms, have really good, direct, powerful information. But they also suggest victims need to live as if they're in a war zone to feel safe. Is that the message the author means to send?
The book travels from how to be safe and prevent attacks, into a whole new area, WINNING confrontations. That may be realistic for some, but that should likely be covered in a second book, "When a Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl Wouldn't Want To"?
What should a victim do who is NOT willing to kill or maim another to save themselves?
An aspect of stalking behavior I didn't see addressed is power and control. What direct actions might be taken when being stalked by someone you can identify? For example, can one ask the police to visit the stalker with you? Have that officer as witness and backup as you say, clearly, "you are making me uncomfortable. STOP contacting me, do NOT approach me or my family. Leave us alone." And when the stalker says, "but I like you!" State, "If you do like me, then you will respect my request, do not contact or approach me again." Let the officer ask, "is that clear?" Certainly not appropriate in every situation, but there are many where a direct, clear, supported f2f is the appropriate level.
We are all responsible for our own safety; this book has some great tips and insights. For me many were so extreme, this book begs the question, where does 'self-care' turn into 'self-imprisonment'?
November 3, 2015
This frank, informative book concerns all aspects of personal safety for women. Baty, known as the "Safety Chick," appears on TV, writes articles, and gives presentations on personal safety based on her own experience of being stalked. The information, though brief, proves illuminating, e.g., five pages on self-defense aerosols like pepper sprays (how they work, foams vs. sprays, etc.) feature in the chapter on self-defense products. Other chapters are similarly broken into sections that contain tips for different realms, such as the home (draw the curtains) and work (have security escort you to your car). The advice is thoughtful and comprehensive, and while much is common sense, this book gathers it all in one place, much like Kenneth Shore's Keeping Kids Safe. Baty's friendly, open style succeeds in making learning about personal safety a positive experience. Recommended.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
December 18, 2013
Sassy single gal, high-powered exec in high heels, carefree college co-ed, harried soccer mom— no matter who you are, you deserve to feel secure doing your own thing anytime, anywhere. With a little help from the Safety Chick, it's a cinch. Sharing lessons she's learned—the hard way—along with proven tips from a battery of experts in street smarts, Kathleen Baty gets specific about what to pack for a business trip, where it's safe to shop online, when to report a creepy co-worker, and how to tell that guy who's bothering you at the bar to get lost— for good. Complete with step-by-step instructions on how to stop an assailant dead in his tracks with your words, your hands, or, if necessary, a few easy-to-use self-defense weapons, this book is a master class in personal safety for women of all ages.
January 4, 2016
A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do is a self-help book written to help gals stay safe in this day and age (i.e. how to protect yourself from a stalker, lessen your chances of being burgularized and how to protect yourself from an attacker). Some of the reviews on amazon.com seemed to think all that was discussed was all old news, common knowledge, etc. Well, as Voltaire once said (and is quoted in the book)- "Common sense is not so common". Besides, it's a good compilation of stuff we all need to know and remember.
So yeah, check out this book. It's a good read and doesn't drag on.
So yeah, check out this book. It's a good read and doesn't drag on.
December 4, 2008
She's got some great tips in here for women (and men for that matter) who want to feel a bit more protected in this nasty world.
BUT much of what she talks about is for someone who has been stalked. You don't have to be so paranoid about giving out your info. If someone is going to steal your identity they will find a way to do it no matter what precautions you make.
BUT much of what she talks about is for someone who has been stalked. You don't have to be so paranoid about giving out your info. If someone is going to steal your identity they will find a way to do it no matter what precautions you make.
June 27, 2008
This book was very informative. It give s female a look into how to protect herself in many different situations. I wasn't really into the whole book but pushed through it to get to the points that pertained to me and the issues that i needed answers to.
July 16, 2013
This book was a gift from my mom. (Sounds like a mom gift, doesn't it?) It has some informative and useful tips for protecting yourself and staying safe. Always good to be reminded of some of these tips and get some new ones. You can never be too prepared...
February 24, 2008
Lots of safety tips you've likely heard before, but a short, easy read to start considering safety. Recommended for otherwise reluctant readers.
January 19, 2013
Written well from a position of one who has been stalked. Good information.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews