Inside each adult woman who did not have early maternal protection is a frightened little girl. Usually her anxiety is firmly packed down under layers of defensiveness. I call this defensiveness earned protection. Earned protection manifests in many different ways. Some girls are fierce. They have rapid movements, forceful voices, and frequent demands. Displays of dominance alert others to back off and be careful. On the other end of the spectrum, some girls appear submissive or compliant, their posture bent or unsteady. They may rely on others to make decisions for them.
