Is Mumsnet racist, sexist, ableist, homophones, islamophobic, transphobic, misogynist, anti-semitic, ageist, childish?

[ShowerMusings]

I see people constantly complaining on different corners of mn how terrible it is and I can't figure out why they can't make threads upon threads making their cases known. I also wonder why people stay where they hate. Makes me wonder if complaining just feels good?

I know I've left mumsnet many times once I couldn't handle it and after a few months or years, I've come back with fresh eyes and peace of mind till the next time it gets too much again.

So my questions are:
● If you're having an awful time on mumsnet, what's stopping you from taking a break?

● Is mumsnet really that bad? Is it really more racist, sexist, anti-semitic, ableist, ageist, childist, misogynist, homophobic, islamophobic, transphobic, etc than it was a year or more ago or have they improved?

● Are mumsnet moderators really not trying? If not, what more can they do to improve?

These are genuine questions and I'd like to know the problems and solutions from anyone who wishes to contribute. We all could benefit from it.
Thanks.

(And no, I'm not permanently on anyone's side. I simply say what I see).

I find mumsnet to be, on the whole, refreshingly pro-women.

Compared much on the internet it’s better for being pro women I reckon, thanks to various posters

Surprisingly?! Mumsnet is notorious for the transphobia.

I'm not a homophone and I hope you know/no that.

I think there is a lot of interesting debate and that is always a good thing. Some people are really harsh and clearly just looking for an argument or to put someone else down so they can feel superior but you'd get that anywhere.

Personally I think threads are taken down far too often and too easily, people take offense and rather than argue their side they just report the thread and get it taken down. Even in the case of offensive attitudes it's better that they are aired and challenged IMO - although obviously there are limits. I don't think things are worse now then they were a year or 5 years ago though. Things were probably different when the site was much smaller - but that's no surprise.

These people saying they are Homophones are so childish.

My partner is a transman and at times I find it really sad on here. I am pro women only spaces, and biological women only in sports. Some of the stuff though here is just cruel. I've had my sexuality mocked on here.

MN is definitely ableist.
And it’s so entrenched that pointing it out usually result in a pile on the person who points out the issue or on the disabled person.

But then it’s also a reflection of society at large. Which is quite sad tbh. And hard to live with when you are the disabled person.

Mumsnet isn't anything.
It's not a hive mind. It's an internet forum with many different contributors. Many have differing political, social and economic viewpoints.
So. You are very unreasonable to say "is Mumsnet....?"

Mumsnet as an entity?
No

Individuals who post on a massive and busy site? Yes. Of course there will be some who are one of more of those things.

I quite liked MN when it was more left leaning. Now it seems full of Daily Mail type posters.

Mumsnet as an entity? No

You are very unreasonable to say "is Mumsnet....?"

I'm using the words posters use all over mumsnet but I'm sure you know that.

Mumsnet is woke

Mumsnet is racist

Mumsnet is so right wing

Mumsnet is transphobic

Mumsnet is shit

Mumsnet hates freedom of speech...etc

Don't shoot the messenger.

Mumsnet as an entity? No

Sorry didn't mean to quote this.

It doesn't matter that other people say it.
It's still meaningless.

Mumsnet used to be quite woke. Now it uses "woke" in inverted commas as an insult.

Thanks for sharing.

It's a forum. I think that's the idea.

Yes, and that's the reason I often wonder why I still post here. I am 'woke' and can't see what's wrong with it.

Indeed. I think sometimes people don't really understand this.

It’s the only place for real advice. It’s amazing. Sometimes no one else knows what you’re going through, except another mum. You can post awful thoughts that you don’t dare to air in RL on here, and someone will come along and honestly share experiences and handhold and offer another perspective.

I’ve been on here for about 16 years, under different names. (Since I had my DS) It’s been a blessing! It’s changed a lot since the early days and I’m so glad there is a pro-woman pro-child place. I’ve read threads for no reason just because it’s better than reading a book some nights. The wisdom and experience is better than talking to your mum and big sis.

Beats Twitter and Instagram and Facebook and other pretentious virtue seeking places that puts ideologies, clicks and ratings and the need for validation above real people.

That's horrible and I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. Did you complain to MNHQ? Did you get a response?

@Princessconsuelabananahammock9 sending you support💐 because I found I never received any for my ftm DD.
I am a huge feminist and agree like you with women only spaces and sports. Ftm go about their business quietly in my experience unlike mtf. However not everyone is out to attack natal women.
I am also fat and disabled and that goes down like a tonne of bricks.

Yup.

I'm wary of admitting in real life that I use it these days.

Mumsnet is very transphobic, but I hide that board.
Otherwise, threads have an interesting range of views. Most right wing than my social circle ( I dont really know any Tories, while a mumsnet political thread will have voters from all parties).

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't realise.

Not at all. It's fine to agree or disagree.
Or be kind. Or even sarcastic.

'Please be kind after I've been unkind because I'm the only one allowed to say what i want'.