Hi Lexi... "The classic fairytales showcase "passive, helpless, females"" – and sometimes old Queens who pea the bed – as Hans Christian Andersen did.

"Sometimes fantasy reflects reality."

True, although I'm at a stage where I'd prefer that reality just occasionally reflected my fantasies. (But not the part about peaing the bed)

"Aren't men who chase women described as "wolves?" Again true. I wonder if men would continue with the description if they realise it involves being a single breeding pair constantly surrounded by their offspring? As for women being described as "vixens" – that just seems speciesist in a vulpine/lupine sense as any old caprine will tell you.

Though his claim, "No, I think I'm the real victim, here" seems too common an assertion in the real world these days to be mere fantasy, the woodchopper should have been described as chromosomally challenged rather than 'he'.

Even the old joke is gender inclusive: "She was only the woodcutter's daughter but you could hear her ring-bark from miles away."

Dear Wm Trevor,

I like these three:

She was only the ...

Wood-chopper's daughter, but she was tree to watch.

Woodcutter's daughter, but she was knot bad looking.

Woodcutter's Daughter, but she wooden tell on a feller.

And how about these:

She was only the ...

Athlete's daughter, but she was always ready to play ball.

Banker's daughter, but she wasn't a teller.

Barman's daughter, but she bottled me up.

Blacksmith's daughter, but she knew how to forge ahead.

Butcher's daughter, but she loined me a thing or two.

Clergyman's daughter, but you couldn't put anything pastor.

Cobbler's daughter, but she was built to last.

And so on ...

Just because there is always someone who has never heard them... but I self-limited it to six more:

Only a Corporal's daughter but now she's an officer's mess.
Only a Croupier's daughter, but she could deal with the outcome.
Only a Hangman's daughter, but knew how to drop her boyfriends.
Only the Mortician's daughter, but anyone cadavar.
Only a Poet's daughter but she went from bed to verse.

or

He was only the pharmacist's son but he was a dispensable pill.

Dear Wm Trevor,

Brilliant!

PhilipS,
You asked a good question about a complex subject. I always think of Singapore as setting a good example of different ethnicities crammed into small spaces, and living side by side in harmony most of the time. Few drug problems due to harsh laws, and would think almost non-existent street violence by gangs, as Singapore has a very strict policy of ensuring their people behave like civilised human beings.
Possibly we need a fundamental change in our laws, and ensuring we have enough police to enforce them. Regardless of race, at the present time our laws are far too lenient towards any law breaker - it has even been the case where harsher penalties are handed down for lesser crimes than murder.

The onus is on us to instil a sense of responsibility in our children.

Despite all the gadgets they have, our children are bored and unchallenged. Many Asian cultures ensure their children not only study hard, but many of them are involved in extra curricular activities as well. Music, gymnastics, etc. Stimulates their minds and bodies, doesn't leave them enough time to be bored, and generally prepares them to become future well rounded adults.

Schools and parent committees could also play a larger part in children's lives by encouraging them to expand their interests beyond footie and cricket, into a wider range of activities.

To answer your question 'what comes to mind?". I immediately thought of those nations who in their culture have no respect for women, which unfortunately means mainly Muslims, and the nations where children have experienced so much violence they and have learned to prey on the weak. While many people are afraid to mention our own Aborigines, it is true a large percentage of the inmates in children's correctional facilities are Aboriginal.

So, the races other posts have mentioned came to mind. It could also refer to suntanned Aussies. To conclude, from the top of government who have the power to change laws, down to every parent - children's behaviour and training should be the responsibility of us all