In NRA approved firearm safety courses focused on women participants I have observed husbands and boyfriends believing they are providing good protection for their wife or girlfriend by sending them to the class armed with a handgun large enough to bring down small aircraft.  Perhaps they believe the class instructor can overcome the women's fear of the heavy recoil.  I do know that large magnums or pistols with heavy recoil always tend to have a detrimental effect on women who shy away from or will not practice with them.  If us knowing guys teach our wife or girlfriend to shoot a handgun there is the possibility of providing her with our bad shooting habits as well.  It is far better to send your wife or girlfriend to an NRA approved firearm safety or conceal carry course armed with a revolver of 22 or 38 caliber that will allow her the pleasure of shooting a firearm and learning the responsibility that goes with that.