You caught some flak for questioning whether there could really be such a thing as a flâneuse. You didn't think it was possible for a woman to wander the streets in the same spirit and manner as a man. A female pedestrian was subject to constant disruptions: stares, comments, catcalls, gropes. A woman was raised to be always on guard: Was this guy walking too close? Was that guy following her? How, then, could she ever relax enough to experience the loss of sense of self, the
In Sigrid Nunez's book "The Friend," the author reflects on the challenges women face while wandering city streets, questioning the existence of a female counterpart to the flâneur, a man who leisurely observes urban life. Nunez suggests that a woman in such a scenario cannot simply enjoy the surroundings as men do, primarily due to societal pressures and the constant threat of harassment. Instead of freedom, the streets become a place of vigilance and anxiety for women, hindering their ability to lose themselves in the experience.
Women are often conditioned to be on high alert, evaluating their surroundings for possible dangers, which makes it difficult to engage in the carefree exploration often associated with the flâneur. The presence of negative attention, such as unwanted gazes or comments, interrupts their experience and reinforces the idea that urban wandering is an entirely different reality for women. Nunez's examination highlights the fundamental differences in the urban experience between genders and underscores the societal constraints that limit women's freedom in public spaces.
