Innocence and Streetwiseness

Many of us girls have a soft spot for N. For her naivete, gentleness and perhaps, a little silent fear of her yielding to the wrong man.

She does have a gentle temperament, and while S commented that she's so "innocent" when she is not aware of some facts of the birds and the bees, I remarked that it would be better for us to "educate" her on this matter, than to have her unknowingly walk into a landmine.

A recent email conversation saw her finding it "funny" that men find that a wife is no different from a very good girlfriend, except that the former offers conjugal rights. If that's the case, with the advent of F*** Buddies, such men should find no inclination towards marrriage, since a good girl friend is able to provide the fun without, perhaps the complications of marital conjugality.

Which brings us to the question. Is it better to be streetwise about such matters or to be innocent and as "pure as the driven snow"? Not that I meant carnal knowledge. But enough streetwiseness to understand that there exists many people who may harbour unkind and cruel intentions towards you.

And that it is better to be observant and sharp about some things than to take things at face value.

Sometimes, I feel that I'm too jaded when it comes to such issues. Many have commented that I'm a softie at heart coated in a steely exterior.

I hope that's not turning others off.