So I started the thread in AIBU about why don't more women come on FWR yesterday. WAs shocked at the responses so started the other thread on FWR to see how we could counter this ( as people were saying it was aggressive, patronising, elitist etc). Felt a bit overwhelmed at the vitriol directed at myself personally and also FWR so I withdrew from the discussion party because I couldn't cope with the personal attacks and also because I didn't want to inflame things further ( and cos I'm a bit of a coward) Although I wasn't posting, I was reading both threads with a mounting sense of horror, especially when I was accused of having brought the FWR board into disrepute and how it would put more women off posting there.
However, it seems like some incredibly useful discussions have resulted as a consequence as well as some great threads on FWR both for newbies and also what's great about FWR ( thanks both to Cailin and Buffy). Seems like it was a discussion waiting to be had as it has ignited great passion on both sides. I'm so relieved about this as I was mortified that something that had started with a genuine curiosity and desire to help seem to have been so badly misconstrued.
So I wanted to apologise to anyone here who was annoyed at me, I still don't understand why it all went so badly wrong, was I 'patronising'? ( certainly wasn't my intention). Any feedback about how I came across would be gratefully received but mainly I'm just hugely relieved that the ensuing debate has brought people over her and that some good has come out of it ( no credit to me, I know).
So thanks to all who have invested their time and energy in defending this board, it's something that's hugely important tome, there are a lot of brilliant, impassioned women here that I learn from every day and am proud to be part of.