I think we are more alert because we have to be. Unfortunately, I don't think all women are alert. It takes life experience and wisdom to learn this skill.
Men are built stronger and so women need to learn a different skill set to stay safe. You should read my hub on college horror.
Women are more vulnearable for changes in surroundings than men, being weaker sex its natural for them to be cautious.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.