Please or to access all these features

Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

The Name Mumsnet sexist?

238 replies

smthchri · 18/03/2012 13:42

I have a question. Is this site for Parenets or mums? are only mums parents?

OP posts:
OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 21:28

there are dads. there are also parents to be, people who are trying to conceive, people who specialise in certain areas, childminders... are you outraged on their behalf too? or is it just the men? as has been said, we have plenty of men on here. and you said that the F4J abbreviation is all-encompassing (I presume thats where you are from) by that token, so is Mn, the abbreviation that most of us use.

d-. must try harder. its not even original!

BIWI · 18/03/2012 21:27

My advice? Stop thinking about it. Just look around you, enjoy, and post!

BIWI · 18/03/2012 21:26

There are plenty of men here. Interestingly, we choose not to define ourselves by our genders. Most posting names could be either male or female. What we value is the poster and not whether they possess a penis or a vagina.

smthchri · 18/03/2012 21:19

I am new to this.. As I have said before I only joined as I saw it on facebook. Called mumsnet .. By parents for parents.. So where are the dads? the pic shows what looks like 3 women holding small children... I just dont like it realy. It just feels like it is just for mums.. and yet you say it is for everyone.. 2 mums started it.. and yet 3 mums are in the logo. Hufff.. none of this makes sense.

OP posts:
NormaStanleyFletcher · 18/03/2012 21:02

I luff you Helen :)

HelenMumsnet · 18/03/2012 19:40

Evening all.

To answer the OP, yes, Mumsnet is for parents of all genders and of all ages. And, actually, we do have a fair few members who are not parents at all, either because they are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant soon or because they are interested in our discussions and wish to reflect their own viewpoint.

We chose the name Mumsnet simply because it is a less clumsy, more memorable name than Parentsnet ever could be. Realising that the name might provoke exactly the same reaction as the OP is having, we then very deliberately chose the strapline "By parents, for parents" in order to signal our wish not to exclude fathers - or indeed grandfathers or even fathers-to-be.

We do take gender equality seriously - and we would never refuse membership to anyone on gender grounds. Men are just as welcome on Mumsnet as women, and, as many of you have already posted, we do have many male "regulars", ranging from stay-at-home dads to fathers-to-be to male nannies.

That said, we do think there is space on the web for forums where women tend to make up the majority of members. There is certainly no shortage of male-dominated forums...

But whatever gender our members are, we're very proud, over the years, to have built up a membership who are so willing to support each other so generously through the often tricky journey that is parenthood.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 19:36

Beertrix, why thank you. I worked very hard on it, I only have an ickle lady-brain...

SunshineOutdoors · 18/03/2012 19:34

As far as i know, the site is for anyone who wants to join it as long as they abide by the talk guidelines.

No, it is not just mums who are parents.

I hope that answers the two questions in your op even though you said you had a question, which implies only one question . The question in your title isn't a complete question doesn't really seem worth answering tbh, are you suggesting that this may mean the site is sexist? I don't think it is.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 19:32

Fathers for justice is also known as (and I prefer) the name F4J.. it is all encompassing..

And mumsnet is also known as mn. What's your beef?

BeerTricksPott3r · 18/03/2012 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 19:29

Op, you are right. It should be thus:

The forum for parents to chat
With parents to be
And people who are yet to conceive, not forgetting
Those who just want a bit of a laugh.com

After all, we can't miss anyone out...

thefresheggnoodlePan · 18/03/2012 19:09

just checked on Dadsnet. No mention of you! C'mon..come over to us. We don't bite. We soothe worn out egos very well. Give us a go.

NarkedPuffin · 18/03/2012 18:56

Perhaps you should pop back to 'F4J' and ask them about their 'iDad' thing.

OMGBFP · 18/03/2012 18:51

Have to admit I do hate the name Mumsnet. There are far more people here than just mums and I am sure it does put some people off joining.

I also agree though that brand is everything and to change it now, like Netmums and Fathers for Justice (I assume you are posting there too to complain OP?) would not be a good thing.

messyisthenewtidy · 18/03/2012 18:46

OP, do you write to Working Mens' Clubs and protest about the use of Men in the title?

Do you refuse to use the words "chairman", "postman", "mankind" etc?

Or do you just complain about "sexism" when it affects you?

kingbeat23 · 18/03/2012 18:44

seriously, seriously? you're seriously asking this or are you loking for a rise on mother day?

2 mums got on the net and thought of a name for parents they thought of mumsnet - fucking genius, they byline of for parents by parents would have given a clue that it was all encompassing for parents...unless you're a fish

hth

BIWI · 18/03/2012 18:40

Vipernet.com does it for me!

NigellaLawless · 18/03/2012 18:35

I think Mamasnet would be the most international Grin

BeerTricksPott3r · 18/03/2012 18:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeerTricksPott3r · 18/03/2012 18:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usualsuspect · 18/03/2012 18:33

I dunno whats more boring on MN just lately all this F4j crap or all the Mothers day woe.

Honeydragon · 18/03/2012 18:30

Well Mumsnet is also known as the Vipers nest, problem solved

smthchri · 18/03/2012 18:26

Fathers for justice is also known as (and I prefer) the name F4J.. it is all encompassing..

OP posts:
BeerTricksPott3r · 18/03/2012 18:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NigellaLawless · 18/03/2012 18:21

Definately not sexist, but absolutely Northernist the site should be renamed Mamsnet immediately! Wink

Swipe left for the next trending thread