in objecting to this obvious sexism

[bibiane]

I have been surfing the net in search of fishing trips to Puffin Island,Anglesey when I came across www. starida.co.uk which advertised fishing trips to the island. When I clicked on the Prices link I read this little gem - ' a family trip ideal for even MUM' ? Duh! To whose Mum they are referring I can't imagine. A victorian heroine of a gothic novel who swoons whenever she sets one dainty foot on a sea vessel perhaps?

My 11 yr old daughter took umbridge to this straight away and wanted to contact the company. I think an email to the North Wales Tourist Board is in order.
Is sexism alive and kicking in Wales?

Bruffin - the very fact that your niece is one of very few women in her field should be enough to tell you that feminism still has a long way to go, and as others have said, the battles that feminism have won were not won through women being meek and mild, but by women shouting the inequality they saw from the rooftops so make everyone understand.

I have just come back from fishing in Cardigan Bay (Barmouth), it would surprise many, who don't fish, the number of women that enjoy fishing. We travel around the Welsh coast. A lot of tackle shops are run by the wives of the skippers, i have never, as a female been patronised out and about in the pubs afterwards when discussing fishing/hunting/dogs with 'the locals'. The small trip owners are happy to encourage women into the sport, it is their bread and butter. I have always had a good response and advice, when first moving from course to sea fishing. I would definatly say that Wales is not sexist.

It is worth commenting on because it is a ill thought out clumbsy advert, she will get a free trip out of it. Any actions that encourages change should be supported. The advert helps to carry on a stereotype. It is an image that the industry wants to throw off.

I've always enjoyed fishing, but a big problem with being on a boat for a day charter is that these boats rarely have washrooms, or somewhere to pee except over the side. I had to hold my pee for 6 hours!

to the OP and her DD i am with you. I hate the whole "mum" thing. It is used in such a way that "mums" are women who spend all their time shopping and being a skivy with a smile on their faces. "Mums" don't have careers or are interested outside of anything beyond shopping offers and the latest development by mr muscle. Its just so bloody patronising, esp in the whole "give mum a treat way". I have seen things like that "take mum on a day out" like mums are going to be so excited about leaving the house for a whole day.

DH sorta reading over my shoulder and he hates that ad about mums being the ones in the background with no heads never appreciated etc. He is a proud down and dirty parent no condescending advert for him IYSWIM, because its only the stepford women who do all this and need a nice wee pat on the back every now and again.

bruffin " As i said above it's the women who go about it quietly that are successful."

As long as they are happy with being whats generally referred to as "cannon fodder" in that field. i.e. the the type of employee that works hard but is never promoted or paid that well, particularly compared to the more ballsy types who demand high pay, status and team members who do much of the hard grind for them.

At least this is what they are referred to in my profession, which until relatively recently, was also male dominated (and is still to some extent in the higher echelons).

I very much doubt that any one involved in the tourist industry in Wales male or female would be happy with the advert. Fishing and golf attracts a large number of people, who generally do not cause any trouble, in and out of 'season'. We were in Anglesey at the end of March in a tiny bay and struggled to get a B+B because of a golf competition that was on. Golfing now is becoming a female past time. Many small businesses rely on those who travel for hobbies, to cut off a percentage of those that do, because of gender would make a huge difference.

bibiane good on you and your daughter complaining - it's this sort of nonsense that keeps us in the 70's

And GotArt - you need to get a ShePee - They were handing out disposable ones at Glasto a few years ago so I had a go - brilliant for situations like yours!

Had row with ex yesterday over 'sexism'. It amazes me how many people still don't get it. Including him - he thinks the title ' Mumsnet' is sexist for godsakes!

Also thinks my dd is too aware of it, as if thats a bad thing. No wonder we're divorced.

Email sent to North Wales Tourist Board as they endorsed the Starida website.

Any female anglers out there? Been on anglersnet and there seems to be loads of women fishing.

That was uncalled for GX.

oh lovely comments un-Gorgeous - your point is?

bibiane - I think your DH is slightly right about Mumsnet being a sexist name, and probably a sexist website. We do welcome men once they're here, as long as they're serious about chatting and not shit stirring, but we hardly advertise ourselves to them, do we? But that's a whole different debate.

This is what I regard as sexism - attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles . Isn't Mumsnet a collective noun?

bibiane, does he mean it excludes dads/men because it assumes that mums e.g. only women are interested in being on this site? Along the same lines as having 'mum and baby' rooms rather than 'parents rooms'?

He objected to the name Mumsnet. Can't figure out why but he thinks its exclusive. I said anyone could join in but it was the name that he objected to. No explanation was offered
I did say he was the ex.

Sorry Op but you and your daughter have been reading far too much into this "a family trip ideal for even MUM" it is not sexist at all. Now if you changed the word Mum for Women then yes it could be.

But by the same token then Bibiane's Ex is right when he said Mumsnet' is sexist same as mother & baby romms etc.

I also doubt the Ops daughter picked it up, more like Op was outraged and daughter followed suit.

I think it is very funny Op how you have taken a very light harted comment on a website, where it is trying to promote a very male activity to include women and turned it into an attack on women.
But when your very sane Ex points out the Irony in how Mumsnet, due to its name and the attacks some males get when posting (I havent seen this for a while but did happen to me) and you say it is not sexist.
Pot calling the Kettle black.
He also has a point how your issues about womens rights are rubbing off on your innoccent DD.

You honestly can't see the sexism in "Mumsnet", but you imagine a harmless remark on a website is sexist enough to complain about? Seriously?

Unbelieveable.

If some bloke is offended by the name of this site, he's free to go off and set up his own. If he's prepared to make the effort, I'd be prepared to consider whether he might have a point. Otherwise it's just a cheap shot.

And when he's done that, he could start on the Patients' Association (how dare they not mention carers. Or doctors). And the Women's Institute (what about the men)? And the Institute of Directors - surely that exludes 90% of the workforce? What about the Rotary Club - is it still male-only and sending the wives off to the Ladies' Circle?

Sorry edam you have clearly missed the point. Sexism works both ways. What we are saying is that if Op takes a little point out of contaxt then surly her Ex has a very valid point by her standards.

Really? REALLY? You clearly worry about the little things rather than have to face the harsh reality of real life. Why dont you rather teach your children about people starving, abuse, etc and let her rather channel her energy into something that is actually important! Why dont you let her write a letter to the Goverment of Ethiopia to put in a complaint about the children who are starving. Oh right, you cant do that as a letter of complaint will not help a dot! FGS there are bigger issues.

have you done that NuttyChic?

I live it SybilBeddows

which means?