Adrienne Kirschner Profile picture
Jan 30, 2018 20 tweets 4 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
Recently, the subject of “tend-and-befriend” as a stress response came up in a discussion.

What is “tend-and-befriend?” It is different from "fight-or-flight" and it has everything to do with #TheResistance.

A thread. 1/
In their paper, Biobehavioral Responses to Stress in Females: Tend-and-Befriend, Not Flight-or-Flight, Taylor et al explain: The human stress response has typically been described as “fight-or-flight.” 2/
And while this is generally true, “A little-known fact about the fight-or-flight response is that the preponderance of research exploring its parameters has been conducted on males, especially male rats.” 3/
Based on their research, Taylor et all propose that behaviorally, females’ responses are typically marked more by a pattern of "tend-and-befriend."

So, what is this exactly? 4/
“Tending involves nurturant activities designed to protect the self and offspring that promote safety and reduce distress; befriending is the creation and maintenance of social networks that may aid in this process.” 5/
Basically, this means that (in general), women developed a different stress response because they are often primary caregivers and thus, not in a position to fight or flee (for ex. when pregnant or caring for offspring). They evolved to respond to stress differently. 6/
(Note: This doesn’t mean that fight-or-flight is a male response and tend-or-befriend is a female response. While this is a general trend, it also depends on a number of other factors. Context is critical.) 7/
Here is a great (and really creative) example:
8/

Now that I know about it, I’m seeing it everywhere in #TheResistance. And that's probably not a coincidence given that tend-and-befriend is primarily a female response to stress and the Resistance is predominantly female. 9/
Indeed, the Resistance IS ‘tend-and-befriend’ in action.
10/
In reaction to Trump’s election, we gathered en masse all over the world. We circled the wagons; we banded together. We instinctively recognized that there is strength and safety in numbers. 11/
In the last year, groups have formed--both online and in real life. These activist groups, in addition to planning, coordinating, and promoting calls to action, also provide members with support and solidarity. 12/
This does not mean that the more well-known fight-or-flight response to stress is somehow wrong or invalid. Some will still react this way. 13/
It’s important to recognize that these are very normal reactions to stress. Not bad, just different. What IS important is to note which stress response is most effective in our current situation. 14/
How does this inform our behavior on social media? Online, the fight-or-flight response manifests as verbal aggression. I find it helps to consider what might be behind that stress response…fear, anxiety, hurt? And try to respond to that instead. 15/
Ultimately, we need to react in a way that will most effectively address the situation we are currently facing in our country, and support our fellow resisters when they are struggling. 16/
It’s important to recognize that we are all (at varying times and to varying degrees) stressed and scared and anxious. We are in uncharted territory here. 17/
It is a huge source of strength to have my Resistance family at my back. We need to continue being compassionate towards one another. Be there. Show support. Or rather, keep tending and befriending. 18/
Be well, my fellow #resisters. We’re in this together. 19/
h/t to @bmastersc for introducing this concept to me and @exoticgamora for sharing the paper on it.

Link to paper below if you are interested in reading more.

END

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More from @AdaKirschner

Aug 15, 2018
Gearing up for #Midterms? Checking your voter registration? Reading up on candidates?

That's great. But there's one more thing you need to do:

Prepare yourself for the barrage of divisive tactics that will be coming at us for the next ~90 days.

THREAD.
Every time you read a sensational news story/tweet/FB post/etc. attacking a Dem. candidate or an anti-authoritarianism activist, stop and ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it intended to pit us against each other?
2. Is it attempting to divide the Dem. vote?
3. Is it attacking an ally and/or the credibility of a major voice in the fight to defend democracy and the rule of law?
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Thread by @Clara_Resists & @Augustus709

Thursday, April 12 is Yom HaShoah-Holocaust Remembrance Day-to commemorate the six million Jews killed by Nazis during the Holocaust.

The genocide resulted from dehumanization.
Most people think of the Holocaust as the Final Solution, when in reality the genocide began much earlier (1933), before World War II even started (1939) in fact.
And the process of dehumanization, which made the genocide possible, began well before that and evolved gradually over many years.
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Mar 2, 2018
🌟Transparency in fundraising. Why is it so important?🌟

A thread.
Transparency builds trust. As a professional fundraiser, it is my job to gain your trust, to make you feel confident in donating to my nonprofit. I want to build a relationship with you. I’m happy to answer your questions!
I want to show you the impact you are having on the people we serve. I want you to love what we are doing with your donation. I want to make sure you feel like your dollars are being well spent, so you will want to keep giving to us and supporting our mission.
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