I think I might call this a day

ISNT, and other feminists on here, please don't stop posting!

I agree about the derailing and how demoralising it is. We probably get a more concentrated dose of misogyny on here than most of us encounter in real life. It is intense stuff, but resisting that and fighting for what one believes in is usually difficult. The FOSH thread displayed much more misogyny in a couple of days than I've seen over a much longer period in my own real life experience.

All the misogyny that we see on this forum shows there is more of a need than ever for feminists to stand up to the backlash and general ignorance of feminism that finds its way onto this section of Mumsnet. Unchallenged misogyny will definitely win. If we challenge misogyny and the evidence stays on these threads, there's at least a chance that it might help women, perhaps in ways we can't even imagine yet.

These boards are accessible to everyone on the web and as one of the few parts of the web with a thriving online feminist community, this forum has the potential to help people wanting to develop their feminist thinking. I know trolls have found us from Google searches too but I think they will be in the minority.

I think another problematic feature of this forum (and feminism in general) is the impact of "choice feminism". I think that is often being distorted into, for example, "if a woman feels empowered by being a prostitute or lap dancer, how dare so-called feminists deny her that choice of career. It's disgraceful that so-called feminists claim to help women yet condemn what a women does". The patriarchial backlash has encouraged that interpretation.

Well this is a public board with which this feminist section is part of so many who will have a different viewpoint will take part. Personally i think input from many different viewpoints is a good thing (except people who are simply trolling of course) because like it or not there is a large world out there and changes will affect all people whatever gender they are. I also think it's better to have discussions than for people to just be agreeing with each other. People are also reading and taking on board what is said.

(Also in the disabled thread i think the posters are more interested in what about the disabled rather than what about the men)

here makes one think twice about helicopter parenting and those parents that allow their children far too much freedom.

ISNT I know how you feel - but like others can I add my 'please don't go'. Have a break, get some perspective and come back. This section is my first stop on MN these days and I would hate to see it impoverished by your loss...

Is it online, Posie?

By the way did everyone read The Independent yesterday about trafficking of British born girls? Made for harrowing reading.

Yes, ISNT, if you really need to, do take a break...but I really hope you stay, or at least return quickly.

X post, PosieParker, great post btw!

just come back from holiday to see this - please don't go ISNT, I love your posts in this section. But do take a break if it's getting to you.

I hear you ISNT, but please don't go.

I think RustyBear speaks a lot of sense.

I really like your posts, so even when I don't have time to post myself, I appreciate you being on there.

In fact on some of those threads you've mentioned I've been so impresseed with the MN'ers who have stuck with it. It crystallizes arguments in a positive way, even though its wearing for those posting. I'm sorry I haven't been here more myself.

I do know what you mean though, there have been several threads deliberately seriously derailed in the feminist section.

I come from a different perspective, not that I knew it, and have learned loads in the feminism section. So if that makes it more worthwhile to hear then it's a good thing. I was on the anonymity of rapist thread and truly thought they should have anonymity and the poor innocent accused would be dreadful. Following that discussion I read around the subject, provoked by dittany et al, and found that I had a complete uturn. (this was massively pushed by reading The false rape society's views on the issue). I feel my more aligned with feminist thinking than ever before and yet I am more aware than ever how little I know and how much there is to learn.

ISNT, I regard MN as a white blood cell, or the borg or something. LOads of people come on to protest something and end up staying and coming round.

AMumINScotland,
MN has educated me about home ed, definitely.

Personally, I don't think MN is really the place to have lots of private boards - I'm assuming there are feminism forums out there? Likewise there are Home Ed forums and email discussion groups, and people can always go on there if they want to be with people who are all on the same page (or at least the same book...)

I'm happy about there being an SN private board, and I can see why they need that and why it is a part of MN. But for other topics I tend to think we should stick to everything being public, and accept the fact that we have to deal with everyone whatever their views.

I wouldn't choose to go onto a feminism forum, but I read these threads and occasionally post, and I think I am learning something useful, so it does have value even if things do get derailed. Just the fact that its here at all maybe makes people notice, when they hadn't thought about it at all till now.

ISNT, don'T go, you keep me sane!

Your brain is working better than mine this morning RustyBear, or I'd have suggested that.
It works well as a combination of base camp and battlefield. Plus you develop relationships, share expertise and support much more easily when you are in a private board.
Doesn't stop people searching for you who want a fight, but they are less frequent than out on the main boards.

Well, if you don't like having to continually defend your point of view, perhaps you should get together and create a private board where you can talk to each other without experiencing opposing views - that's what the SN mums have done.

If you do stay on here, you can console yourself that you may well be playing a part in educating others, who may not post but will be taking on board what you say.

Many of the SN mums still post on the public MN boards and I think do a lot to educate other posters generally on the issues surrounding SN, but they shouldn't need to feel they have to do so (as you say it can get very wearisome) - sometimes they just want to rant to, or get support from others who understand, and that's where the private board comes in.

So maybe that's what you need, so that if you do feel like a debate or trying to educate someone, you can do it on here & retreat to the private board when you just want to talk to like-minded people.

But it would be a pity if people like you stopped posting on MN because I for one find your posts interesting & informative, and I enjoy the debates...