to think that not every man on mumsnet must be "dodgy"

[OpinionSeeker]

A thread on mums net to settle an argument about mumsnet...
DH thinks that if a man is on mumsnet then he must have an ulterior motive, to chat up 'mums' - he wants me to add that he thinks they must be devious. I think, perhaps naively that there are probably some genuine male parents, aka dads, wishing to discuss parenting issues. DH believes men should be on dadsnet.
Genuinely looking for opinions.

Exactly. Just how do you determine if a person is male or female on a public internet forum?

How do you know right now if I am a bloke or a female who just fancies pretending she's a bloke on the forum. (Or vice versa)

As for ulterior motive, me personally I like MN because as an ex-single dad for a decade, I share more in common with many mum's than blokes.

ImJustABloke but ... as a Dad, Mumsnet is better because you're more likely to get a useful response to posts here, as opposed to the "man up" or "wow you're seriously whipped" or "dump her and find another girl to shag" you get on Dadsnet.

I think it sounds more like your hubby is worried that you're talking to other men. Kind of sweet, kind of sad. It's all about perspective.

MrGin, fair comment. I feel for dads at school gates looking like lemons with nobody to talk to. BUT I'm a woman and I've also felt that way on occassion, also at toddler groups. Parenting in general can be isolating and I don't think you can compare it to the struggles women have faced in terms of equality in the workplace.
Nobody's saying 'no men here'

Once in a while you get a thread like this and a few women will admit they would prefer it to be exclusively female.

Dab when I said 'free for all' I meant really if it was re-branded as 'parentsnet' or 'familynet' as some have suggested. You accept that the majority of posters will be women because it is what it is...

I have chatted to several of our gentlemen posters and I can confirm they are all well dodgy

Nah, they are ok. Just about as dodgy as some of the women, really. I like having men here. Honestly, I think nothing of it. They are just like people

OpinionSeeker with all due respect there are a few voices here saying they'd prefer it here without men. Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I'm not saying that male parents face the same uphill struggle as women face in getting equality in the workplace, I'm just saying if we want to build a world where there is equality it has to work both ways. And this being a site about parenting should not exclude men simply because some women see it and therefore parenting as a female activity.

Oh very sorry SDD - how dare a few women have an opinion.

< leers at Psammead's covered ankles >

I am about to read, so I am not sure if it's been mentioned, but if a bloke wanted to chat up some women on the internet, there are sites for that sorta ting. Why would he target MN?

Ps I like the ieeda of calling it family net.

I'm not entirely sure I'd actually want to post here if I was a man, due to the double standards.

It winds me up no end when people say things like "I sent my DH to the shop" or "I told him to take the rubbish out"

Yet, if a man came on here 'sending' his wife anywhere or 'telling' her what to do, they'd be shot down in flames

I've seen men flamed just for using the expression 'the wife'.

How very dare you!
I am dodgy and I reserve my right to be dodgy.
There?s nothing wrong with dodgy men.
Remember, dodgy men have the vote and there are things that only dodgy men know.

Yes, there are the occasional laments that MN should be women-only. Or that all the male posters should be forced to have either a gender-identifying name and/or a cock'n'balls special icon. I'm unconvinced as to the need.

I'm on mumsnet because, on the whole, I like it here. I like the fairly wide-ranging topics of conversation and I like the humour. I also happen to be a lone parent so I've got all the crap that comes along with trying to co-parent with an unreliable ex, plus the general concerns and need for advice that comes with being a parent. But I'll be honest, the majority of the stuff I post on here is a lot less to do with being a parent than it is with being a person.

Welcome one, welcome all say I.

I think it's great to have a mix of opinions from both sexes.

DanFM I'm sure that's a Per Una top circa 2001 the last bloke is wearing

IME you aren't accepted as a man on MN until you've been on Style & Beauty.

If you are not aware of the fact that anyone on MN might not be who or what they say they are then you need a refresher lesson in internet safety/awareness.

You're a man & you post on style & beauty?

I'm a women and i do not post on style and beauty

Give me grung jeans, biker boots and denim jacket anyday

< goes off to post in style and beauty >

No Mr.Gin dont do it, there is no turning back once you post on S&B

well I posted in Feminism once can't be anymore dangerous than that surely ?

Its worse.

Its all cashmare, glitter/gloss lipstick and Handbags.

But Gin, you only just got out alive...

Thing is, I don't really give a damn if a poster is male, female, male pretending to be female or female pretending to be male, so long as they have no nefarious intentions towards others. People can pretend all they like - what's going to happen?

I have never in my life before used the word 'nefarious'. I am not entirely sure what it means. I think I meant 'dubious'. Apologies for any confusion caused!