I would like to suggest adding MRA to the acronym list

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

a) do you think this is a good idea. I had never heard the term before here (sheltered life) and when I saw it on a discussion I checked the acronym list, then googled, before finally asking. I have seen other posters have the same problem/question

b) Would it just say Men's Rights Activist or would you add more (without using the word fucknuggets)

tbh - looking at the [http://www.mumsnet.com/info/acronyms current list] it probably would just be Men's Rights Activist.

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

btw - I am asking here first. I will start a thread in site stuff if people think it would be a good idea.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

It would be useful, I think - at least, I wasn't sure what it meant.

[TrophyEyes]

I personally think we should have a sticky topic of terms commonly used in FWR at the top of the board. Along with "other things you should know about feminism".

A feminism 101 of sorts.

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

Trophy - yes.

But if you access threads via "active" you never see subject specific stickies. It was via active that I came here

[TrophyEyes]

This is true. I always access Feminism/Women's Rights through my bookmarks, so forget other people do it through active conversations, I suppose.

[ComradeJing]

Yep, I agree MRA should be on the acronym list.

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

So maybe a feminism 101 sticky and mra on the list?

[Beachcomber]

I think both are a good idea. It would be easy enough to put MRA on the general acronym list. I think a feminism 101 sticky could be useful too though.

[AgnesCampbellMacPhail]

I think misogynist rights activist is more appropriate than men's right activist because I think it needs to be clear that we are talking about men who hate women and not men campaigning for paternity leave or raising awareness about testicular cancer.

Some people do deliberately misread the term to make it about "equality" when it is actually about eroding legal protections for women in law etc.

[amillionyears]

Am updating this thread.
MRA is on a thread today,and I didnt know what it is.
Had a look round MN and found this.
still not really sure what it means tbh
Noticed MN have not put it on the acronyms.Would someone like to ask them please? once the proper meaning has been decided

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

amillion - just report your post and ask them yourself?

[amillionyears]

ok.Not being funny,but because of the differences above,will they know the definitive answer?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

They could just link to this thread? It's not like the differences are huge, they're about at the level of whether 'DD' means 'dear daughter' or 'darling daughter'.

I've not looked at the acronym list for a while but they need F4J there too (mainly because it is so fucking funny how whipped they were).

[amillionyears]

ok thanks,will report.

[SigmundFraude]

'I think misogynist rights activist is more appropriate than men's right activist because I think it needs to be clear that we are talking about men who hate women and not men campaigning for paternity leave or raising awareness about testicular cancer.'

Having read a fair few MRA sites, I would say that your description is as accurate as calling all feminists man haters. Some are, some aren't. Same goes for MRA's.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

But how could you be an MRA and not at least a bit misogynistic - in our current society?

[SigmundFraude]

In all fairness LRD, your experience of MRA's is probably second-hand or the odd few trolling on here. Do you actually know any? I know both feminists and MRA's personally.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

No, I don't know any - I take care not to, and have defriended a couple from my FB as soon as I realized. As I understand it, MRAs are activists for 'men's rights'? I don't honestly see a way for that not to be misogynistic, given the structure of society as we know it. I suppose they could also get sucked in and not realized, maybe?

[Leithlurker]

Would it depend on what rights they are talking about, for example some men actively advocate for paternity rights. Some advocate for same sex marriage and other gay issues.

Also if one set of activists claim political or social reform as their goal, another group who claim the same thing but advocate the opposite goals from group one both have the legitimate right to make their case no?

[SigmundFraude]

Blimey LRD, they're just people.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I never said they weren't?

I don't see why what I said is particularly shocking. I was prepared to agree with you, but the hostility makes it difficult.

[SigmundFraude]

Yes, they are activists for men's rights. Not all men live the patriarchal dream you know, some have shit lives with nowhere to turn.

The MRA I know is an author and a very decent bloke.

Anyway, I appreciate this probably isn't the right section, so I'll leave it there.

[SigmundFraude]

Sorry, I'm used to being attacked, I didn't mean to be hostile. I kind of take it as a given that people are attacking me!!

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

You assume people are attacking you?

What a very odd thing to do.

I am very aware many men have shit lives. But how could arguing for 'men's right's' help? Given that you acknowledge the 'patriarchial dream', surely you can see that this is a confusing idea.

[greenhill]

Thanks for clearing up MRA for me too, I was probably reading the same thread and pondering / not getting very far by googling.

Also DV needs to be added to acronyms as it took my sleep deprived brain a little while to get to Domestic Violence, but was obvious once I'd finally got there! Context is everything!