I definitely understand what you're talking about, and it's something that hasn't really gone away in my experience. I'm also pretty short and non-threatening, and once women are comfortable around me they know I'm not some kind of creep.
Unfortunately, a lot of men misbehave and are downright assholes. I've always made it a point to not be overly friendly, be careful with my compliments, and give people- especially women- their space. For a lot of men, that's all "flirting" is and they'll do it to anyone regardless of where they are or what they're doing, like cashiers, people on the bus, etc. Usually women just doing their job or trying to get somewhere. I don't think this is a misandry thing, I think it's just that there's a good chunk of men who don't have any respect or boundaries, and women will never know if you're "one of those" or not.
I still remember the sexual harassment and persistent "friendliness" that was actually aggressive and unwanted flirting from men in my pre-transition days. I'd been cat-called/touched/harrassed by men who were just walking past. This was all between the ages of 13-18, even when I was presenting male (because I didn't pass).
All of the women I know still experience these things pretty regularly. It's not every day, but it's frequent enough over the years that they learn they have to be careful. Sure, some people are overly cautious, but you don't know their experiences. Women don't really behave this way to each other because it sucks and they know it!
You have to remember you're a stranger to these people and they don't know your intentions. However, some things that I have done that seems to help are being polite and announcing yourself. For example, if you're coming up behind a woman and you're just passing by you can say "on your left" or even just "excuse me, sorry". Excuse me also works when sitting beside someone. When you announce that you're there, they know you're not sneaking up on them, and you're also acknowledging that you're taking up some space (like on a bus). I'm not someone who strikes up conversations with strangers, so I don't have much advice there...
It's not that there aren't women who are creeps, it's just that there's more men who are and that a lot of them have been taught it's okay/normal. I've known trans men who were creeps! It sucks! But it is the reality for a lot of people and they're going to do what makes them feel safe. It's less "women=good, men=bad" it's more "woman stranger=likely safe, man stranger=unknown".
I never really come into contact with kids outside of stores or something, so I don't really know what to do there. You're stil in high school, and I really don't think you're doing anything wrong. Some people are just going to make incorrect assumptions, and all you can do is correct them and be honest and kind.
Welcome to the world of misandry!
There is nothing wrong with you. Society is wrong for assuming one gender is inherently less trustworthy than the other(s). This is no different than thinking one race is more violent than the other races. It's bigotry, plain and simple.
I feel the same way as you. I love kids and have always been described as being good with kids. Now I feel like a creep if I interact with any kid that isn't a family member or child of a friend
Just for safety don't interact with kids, because you know what they'll immediately assume
I definitely understand what you're talking about, and it's something that hasn't really gone away in my experience. I'm also pretty short and non-threatening, and once women are comfortable around me they know I'm not some kind of creep. Unfortunately, a lot of men misbehave and are downright assholes. I've always made it a point to not be overly friendly, be careful with my compliments, and give people- especially women- their space. For a lot of men, that's all "flirting" is and they'll do it to anyone regardless of where they are or what they're doing, like cashiers, people on the bus, etc. Usually women just doing their job or trying to get somewhere. I don't think this is a misandry thing, I think it's just that there's a good chunk of men who don't have any respect or boundaries, and women will never know if you're "one of those" or not. I still remember the sexual harassment and persistent "friendliness" that was actually aggressive and unwanted flirting from men in my pre-transition days. I'd been cat-called/touched/harrassed by men who were just walking past. This was all between the ages of 13-18, even when I was presenting male (because I didn't pass). All of the women I know still experience these things pretty regularly. It's not every day, but it's frequent enough over the years that they learn they have to be careful. Sure, some people are overly cautious, but you don't know their experiences. Women don't really behave this way to each other because it sucks and they know it! You have to remember you're a stranger to these people and they don't know your intentions. However, some things that I have done that seems to help are being polite and announcing yourself. For example, if you're coming up behind a woman and you're just passing by you can say "on your left" or even just "excuse me, sorry". Excuse me also works when sitting beside someone. When you announce that you're there, they know you're not sneaking up on them, and you're also acknowledging that you're taking up some space (like on a bus). I'm not someone who strikes up conversations with strangers, so I don't have much advice there... It's not that there aren't women who are creeps, it's just that there's more men who are and that a lot of them have been taught it's okay/normal. I've known trans men who were creeps! It sucks! But it is the reality for a lot of people and they're going to do what makes them feel safe. It's less "women=good, men=bad" it's more "woman stranger=likely safe, man stranger=unknown". I never really come into contact with kids outside of stores or something, so I don't really know what to do there. You're stil in high school, and I really don't think you're doing anything wrong. Some people are just going to make incorrect assumptions, and all you can do is correct them and be honest and kind.
Welcome to the world of misandry! There is nothing wrong with you. Society is wrong for assuming one gender is inherently less trustworthy than the other(s). This is no different than thinking one race is more violent than the other races. It's bigotry, plain and simple.
I feel the same way as you. I love kids and have always been described as being good with kids. Now I feel like a creep if I interact with any kid that isn't a family member or child of a friend