Speaking Up For The Next Generation
Saoirse Ronan’s memorable comment on The Graham Norton Show has sparked significant conversation, offering a raw insight into women’s daily experiences regarding personal safety. The exchange occurred while she and actor Eddie Redmayne were sharing lighthearted anecdotes. Redmayne recalled how a stuntman once advised him that he could wield his mobile phone as a self-defense tool if ever in a dangerous situation. Paul Mescal, also seated on the set couch with Denzel Washington, stated that he would never think to use his phone as a weapon if attacked. As he finished, Ronan interjected, saying with wry humor, “That’s what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right, ladies?”
Initially interpreted by some as “sassy,” this comment struck a powerful chord with audiences because of its layered truth.
It underscored an uncomfortable reality: women are trained, often from a young age, to anticipate and guard against potential threats, something most men may only consider occasionally, if ever. Ronan’s remark shed light on the fact that for women, vigilance about personal safety isn’t just a lesson or a story — it’s an ongoing necessity woven into the fabric of their everyday lives.
In response to the video clip of this conversation on the Graham Norton show that went viral, Saoirse added, “The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve felt that it’s just really important that we are communicating to guys who just don’t have to think about that, through no fault of their own, but I think it’s really important, that as we are becoming the next generation to take charge of society in a way, and some are going to have kids and some of us are going to have daughters, that this is a weight that is put on every single young woman, every woman on the planet. One-hundred percent. There is no doubt about that.” “And it was interesting because there was a lull in the room, but then the response in the studio kind of made me go, ‘Oh yeah, this is something that is important to talk about for sure.'”
Ronan’s brief but poignant comment reflects how casually embedded these precautionary behaviors are in most women’s lives. A man being advised to use his phone in self-defense might seem like a novel piece of advice. Still, for many women, self-protection methods have been ingrained since childhood. Girls learn tips ranging from walking with keys between their fingers to sticking to well-lit paths, all with the understanding that a lapse in vigilance could lead to danger. Ronan’s quip served as a reminder that this hyper-awareness is exhausting. Yet, it’s a normalized part of many women’s routines.
The impact of her words goes beyond just raising awareness; it has started conversations about the gendered nature of safety.
Men, statistically, are less likely to face the same types of daily threats that women do. While they may occasionally be in situations requiring self-defense, it is often seen as an unusual, worst-case scenario rather than a constant undercurrent. Women, however, know that the absence of vigilance can lead to vulnerabilities that men may never even consider. Ronan’s response provided a stark reminder of this disparity, turning a lighthearted moment into a teachable one.
Ronan’s comment also highlighted an ongoing societal issue: the responsibility for personal safety often falls disproportionately on women, while the root causes of these safety concerns—predatory behaviors, gendered violence, and harassment—remain largely unaddressed. Rather than urging women to stay on guard, more can and should be done to challenge and change the societal norms that make these precautions necessary in the first place.
The reaction to Ronan’s statement underscores how rarely these truths are openly discussed in mainstream media, particularly in a frank, relatable manner. With a single comment, she conveyed both the exasperation and resilience that many women feel as they navigate a world that often feels less safe than it does for their male counterparts.
This small moment on The Graham Norton Show has resonated because of its honesty and relatability. In highlighting the truth about gendered safety expectations, Ronan provided a moment of visibility for women’s experiences, challenging viewers to recognize the everyday reality for women everywhere.
