(Speaking of U.S. here): Just as Americans used to walk their streets and keep outer doors unlocked without thinking a thing about it, today many/most Americans are so concerned with crime and their personal safety that they might avoid taking walks, are watchful as they hurry to their cars at the shopping malls, and are quick to lock their doors using extra deadbolt locks.
Similarly, I think women today are much more sensitized to personal safety issues, as well as sexual harassment, that . . compared to their mothers'/grandmothers' generations, they don't want to draw as much attention to themselves. Yes, there is the opposite also happening: Very young females seeming to want to "grow up" too soon, by wearing make-up early and "dressing like Madonna" in items that look more like lingerie or underwear than outer clothing. Yet, by the time they are adult women, their concerns for safety and bringing attention (especially from men) upon themselves feels unsafe.