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AIBU?

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Original poster

No British - No Women

415 replies

MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:13

I have just come across this article:

www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Huntingdon-St-Ives-St-Neots/Playgroup...

am i being unreasonable to be disgusted at how this can be legal.

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 20/01/2011 15:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnnieLobeseder · 20/01/2011 15:19

article here

Not sure why you say 'no women' in your thread title.

I'm slightly appalled by this. Surely the best way to make links between cultures in Britian is to mix with British people?

Hardly helping the cause against racism.

mayorquimby · 20/01/2011 15:22

No problem with it myself.

Karia · 20/01/2011 15:22

How on earth can it not be racist? If I opened a playgroup in the USA and didn't let American women in there's be absolute murder!

Agree with Annie, how are they supposed to intergrate if British women aren't allowed in? Hmm

Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:23

I put no women only because that is what the title was when i read it.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:24

Apprantly its ok casue they also dont let men in also lol

OP posts:
giyadas · 20/01/2011 15:24

I find it hard to get angry over this. I agree with what Mr Owen says in the article - there are plenty of groups for british mothers, why begrudge this one group helping mothers who may be otherwise excluded?

Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:25

sorry meant to say becasue

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 20/01/2011 15:28

"If I opened a playgroup in the USA and didn't let American women in there's be absolute murder!"

sorry but just to clarify, is this a group of women meeting up as a club or is it a commercial enterprise? Because my opinion would hinge completely on this issue.

FranSanDisco · 20/01/2011 15:28

I sort of understand that this group caters for women who may otherwise not attend a group BUT this mother should have been allowed to stay as her Malaysian/Indian heritage British born friend was allowed to stay so basically colour of skin was the deciding factor there. The guy who runs the place sounds a complete knob - I'm not racist cos I'm a sexist Confused.

Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:29

Giyadas - then why call the group making links then not wanting to make links with the British?

You could understand a group designed for people new to the country so that they can meet like minded people, but this group as far as I can see, is for all women who are not British, who are new to the country or have been here years as a meeting for them and thier kids.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:30

it is part funded by the local authority.

OP posts:
camdancer · 20/01/2011 15:30

Is it just a toddler group where the kids basically run around playing, or is it more of a forum with speakers talking about life in Britain, problems of being in a new country, English classes and things like that?

mayorquimby · 20/01/2011 15:32

yes but funding isn't relative to it's legality. That's a matter for the council to decide then, if they disagree with the groups policy then by all means pull the funding on that basis.
If it's a group/club then they are entitled to freedom of association and can admit members on whatever criteria they decide to. If they have any commercial aspect then I'd be more inclined to disagree with what they are doing.

giyadas · 20/01/2011 15:32

Maybe because they're making links between non-british mothers?

TheEvilDead2 · 20/01/2011 15:34

That's stupid this is why you have communities of expats who refuse to make friends and can't make friends and can't learn the language of the coutries they live in.

I don't have one friend from my country here, nor have I tried to find any. I live in the UK, so my friends tend to be British..

And I couldn't imagine saying I wouldn't have someone to my group for being from the country I was hosting it in. That is beyond rude.

purepurple · 20/01/2011 15:34

It is not very inclusive though is it? I rreally don't think that anyone should be excluded because of their nationality, whatever nationality that is.
I personally think Mr Owen is wrong. The other groups are not for British mothers, they are for all parents. Why segregate yourselves like this?
I work in the early years and the big thing at the moment is inclusion. Which is about removing barriers. Hardly seems fair that we do all this work but people are encouraged to put the barriers in place themselves.

mincenmash · 20/01/2011 15:35

Regardless of what the Equality Act 2010 says, if someone opened a playgroup in UK specifically for British people only, I am sure there would be big trouble.

Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:35

It is just a toddler play group.

It is funded by the following:

Making Links is funded by five different organisations including St Neots Town Council, which gives it a grant of £1,000, the Co-operative community development fund and the Open Door Church in St Neots.

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 20/01/2011 15:37

"It is not very inclusive though is it? I rreally don't think that anyone should be excluded because of their nationality, whatever nationality that is.
I personally think Mr Owen is wrong. The other groups are not for British mothers, they are for all parents. Why segregate yourselves like this?"

I'd agree. I don't think it's very wise or helpful, but I was disagreeing with any posters who said it should be illegal. Otherwise where does it end?
Would they outlaw groups that apply a sex/racial/religious criteria for membership?

scurryfunge · 20/01/2011 15:38

It sounds like it is a support group for people who are not represented particularly well in that community. I don't have a huge issue with it and it should be seen as a positive thing.

Original poster
MrSpoc · 20/01/2011 15:39

As far as i can see, it is not a support group by any means. it is a toddler play group.

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 20/01/2011 15:39

"Regardless of what the Equality Act 2010 says, if someone opened a playgroup in UK specifically for British people only, I am sure there would be big trouble."

If it was a non-commercial group I severely doubt that there would. There might be criticism and if they were in receipt of council funding the media backlash may lead to them pulling the funding but there would be nothing anyone could do to stop them from continuing their policy.
if however it was a creche/nursery for commercial means then it would be in trouble very quickly i'd imagine

giyadas · 20/01/2011 15:40

Attending a group like this one doesn't mean that the mothers attending don't socialise with british people, it just means that there is one group for them to attend where they aren't in the minority, and have others to share similar experiences with.

scurryfunge · 20/01/2011 15:42

It sounds like it is a support group based around a toddler play group.