For a cantankerous East Texas hillbilly he got a few things right. He was very old fashioned. I was not allowed to wash dishes, make beds, do laundry, etc. because “boys don’t do those chores.” I don't think that is one of the things he got right. But he was absolutely adamant about raising a hand to a girl or woman. He also once told me, “If I ever walk in a room and see you sitting down and there’s a woman standing up I will kick your ass.” Got me in a lot of trouble riding public transportation in the 60s and 70s. Force of habit led me to offer my seat to a standing woman and I would get either dirty looks or verbal castigation for sexist behavior. Opening or holding the door for a woman became an adventure in danger. Once exiting the Biograph movie theater with my then girlfriend I held the door open for her to exit. There was a woman behind me so I held the door for her. If looks could kill...
I very consciously raised my biological sons with the non-negotiable prohibition against laying a hand on a girl or woman. Once we had a foster daughter who was a real piece of work. She quickly picked up that my sons were not allowed to hit her and she tried to take advantage of that. They complained that it was not fair. I told them it might not be fair but that’s the way it is. I also told them they could defend themselves but could not retaliate. To their credit they never retaliated.
I'm not the best dad or father but I think I got it right on this one. Thanks, Dad.