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Why are feminists so threatened by the MRA movement?

635 replies

LaVoixDeLaRaison · 09/09/2014 18:47

When I was at university, the Gender Equality society (of which I was a member) chose to rename itself the Feminist society, arguing that the only way equality could be achieved was by focusing on women's issues. This led some other students to set up an MRA group, which was met with some resistance from the feminists. On this very board I see commenters angrily referring to MRAs as if they are all members of an evil homogeneous group.

Isn't it possible that men and women both suffer oppression from society in different ways? That the levels of this oppression are not necessarily equal, but are still important if we are to achieve equality? I often see feminists agreeing with certain 'male issues' (e.g. media stereotypes, elevated male suicide rate), but suggesting that feminism has other priorities, and if they want to do something about these issues then they should make their own groups. Why do they get criticized when they do exactly that? Better still, wouldn't feminism be better off if it didn't alienate so many men (and women, focused on a wider range of issues, and stopped pitting the sexes against one another?

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BuffyBotRebooted · 09/09/2014 22:50

This reply has been deleted

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PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 09/09/2014 22:50

Jelly. Wall

(Any flavour you like Winifred. I like raspberry)

LineRunner · 09/09/2014 22:49

That annuities stuff is fascinating. I wondered why the government were suddenly so keen to let 57 year old men piss away their lump sums on red sports cars.

BuffyBotRebooted · 09/09/2014 22:49

This reply has been deleted

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gincamparidryvermouth · 09/09/2014 22:49

I won't take what you have to say seriously

Guess what...?

WinifredTheLostDenver · 09/09/2014 22:49

TA, zazzles!

WinifredTheLostDenver · 09/09/2014 22:49

Insurance or annuities?both probably!

But all who get car insurance can be 20 one year and 50 in a later year; age distinction is not discrimination on that basis.

Zazzles007 · 09/09/2014 22:48

Since no one else has done it, allow me .

Why are feminists so threatened by the MRA movement?
gincamparidryvermouth · 09/09/2014 22:48

Yes, but whether or not I am a mortifying dickhead, my argument (as detailed by my posts in this thread) would be exactly the same

No it wouldn't, because if you weren't a mortifying dickhead then you wouldn't post tedious pompous crap.

LaVoixDeLaRaison · 09/09/2014 22:48

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived

Please then, tell me why it is relevant? I'm happy to answer that question, as long as it has some relevance to the discussion in hand. If your terms of reference differs significantly from mine (which clearly it does), perhaps you could try and explain to me why it's important that we disclose our gender if we want to discuss gender issues?

WinifredTheLostDenver

Yes, absolutely I believe that. I've seen similar things from people purporting to be MRAs myself, so I don't doubt that for a second. It is a truly disgusting thing to say, and I hope that these people are identified and will get the just punishment for their abuse. That does not mean that all (or even most) of the people who support men's rights activism are like that though.

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BuffyBotRebooted · 09/09/2014 22:48

This reply has been deleted

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PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 09/09/2014 22:47

Winifred - Don't they still price based on age though?

WinifredTheLostDenver · 09/09/2014 22:47

Mmm, jelly...

Is the jelly orange flavoured?

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 09/09/2014 22:46

Attack the argument? What argument? You haven't made one. Just wafted around some words you think sound clever and dismissed all attempts to engage with your question in any meaningful way.

It's like trying to nail jelly to a wall.

WinifredTheLostDenver · 09/09/2014 22:46

Ok, I think the insurance decision was morally right.

It might well be if we collected information on crashes by eye colour, or religion, or sexuality, there would be a statistical difference. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be discriminatory to price on that basis.

Re annuities - I assume some other EU countries still require them, and they may become required here again at some point in due course. So I think it's a good thing that these are now sex neutral too.

BuffyBotRebooted · 09/09/2014 22:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaVoixDeLaRaison · 09/09/2014 22:43

gincamparidryvermouth

Yes, but whether or not I am a mortifying dickhead, my argument (as detailed by my posts in this thread) would be exactly the same. Attack the argument, not the person making the argument. Have you heard of ad hominem? It's a lazy debating strategy, and I'm going to call it out where I see it. If you want to carry on insulting my character that's absolutely fine, but it also means I won't take what you have to say seriously.

WowardHolowitz

Why does it matter? I'm not trying to avoid the question (although I know that's what it must seem like), I'm still yet to hear why I should justify myself. As above, my argument (as detailed by my posts in this thread) would be exactly the same regardless of my level of activism. Therefore, I think it's irrelevant to the discussion, and I won't be answering it.

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gincamparidryvermouth · 09/09/2014 22:41

"I believe X. Now convince me that X isn't right. No, not like that. That's the wrong way of arguing. You are doing your discussion wrong. Convince me that X isn't right. I am the logical one..."

Hahaha!

WinifredTheLostDenver · 09/09/2014 22:41

"Yes, obviously, because it would mean you were a mortifying dickhead."

Grin
WinifredTheLostDenver · 09/09/2014 22:40

Do you believe the posters who've told you they've received rape threats from men identifying as MRAs, then?

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 09/09/2014 22:40

Ah yes, that's me told then. It is not relevant, by your terms of reference and we must all bow to your mighty (male or female) view. Hmm

You know what, you are dull. Why is that people who genuinely want to learn about feminism, or even discuss shortcomings of feminism rarely come on and say:

"I believe X. Now convince me that X isn't right. No, not like that. That's the wrong way of arguing. You are doing your discussion wrong. Convince me that X isn't right. I am the logical one..."

You didn't even care enough to check the insurance thing before using it as one of your feeble examples (it's been all over the bloody news. Really, you care about equality and it had passed you by that that deeply important battle was won).

You really aren't worthy of the time of any of these well educated, well informed (mostly) women. I wouldn't class myself with them, but at least I ask because I genuinely want to learn.

LaVoixDeLaRaison · 09/09/2014 22:39

BuffyBotRebooted
I'm not trying to bring my own lived experiences here. Rather, I've read the experiences of many men who believe they have suffered oppression, just as I've read the experiences of many women who have suffered oppression. I do not disregard any of them unless I believe the poster is trying to be deliberately dishonest. What some of the posters here were saying was contradicting some of the lived experiences (which I believe are genuine) that I've read.

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gincamparidryvermouth · 09/09/2014 22:38

In an adult world, that's how discussion works.

Spoken like a true teenager.

SevenZarkSeven · 09/09/2014 22:37
WowardHolowitz · 09/09/2014 22:37

LAVOIX WHAT ARE YOU PERSONALLY DOING TO HELP RID THE WORLD OF THE OPPRESSION OF MEN AND/OR WOMEN?

I have read this whole arsing thread and you are yet to say anything of substance, back your opinion up with facts or give any robust examples. It is very frustrating to read and I can scarcely believe the patience of those who have been talking to you. Please answer my question clearly and straightforwardly so we can move this argument discussion forward.

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