Holden perceives men as sexual deviants, annoying bores or as phonies. He projects his insecurities about himself onto every male person he meets. His roommate, classmates and teachers are all used as projection devices for himself. He lumps them together into broad categories and dismisses them. The common theme of all these attributed qualities is that men should not be trusted around females. The one male person in his life that escapes his condemnation is, interestingly enough, his father.
Holden then views females as objects to adore and protect. Although he is cruel to some women, he is generally chivalrous towards the women he meets, regardless of social station. Whether it is Jane Gallagher or Phoebe, Holden feels women should be kept safe. This completes the earlier projected feelings about men. He then is unable to let himself have a real relationship with any female, except Phoebe, since that would violate rule number one, men should not be trusted with women.
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