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AIBU?

to think Race for Life is sexist?

82 replies

FoofFighter · 05/06/2013 19:07

Why can only women take part? I find it very strange to cut out 50% of the population from taking part. Do only women get cancer?

OP posts:

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 21:05

Debduck. Just because there are something's in life you don't what to get involved with doesn't mean it is right to exclude men.

If I said I was starting something for men only, because I didn't want to hear talk about shoes or shopping I, quite rightly, would be shot down in flames.

Unless it is a physical impossibility, why should there be segregation

lborolass · 05/06/2013 21:09

I really don't get the sexist angle, it's a (mainly) 5k run which even if you walk doesn't last more than an hour, once a year for a good cause. I can't see how even the most professionally offended could get their knickers/underpants in a twist about it.

I'm surprised by the poster above who said it would be horrible to do it without her DP, I've done RFL a few times and can't imagine how anyone could find it horrid unless you have a pink aversion

marjproops · 05/06/2013 21:09

agree, lovemyself (and assuming you're a man)?

IS IT THhe feminists saying the 'women only' stuff? -genuine question

WineNot · 05/06/2013 21:10

Can someone explain to me how men are being discriminated against in RFL?

How they are genuinely worse off by not being able to take part?

I get that some blokes might want to take part and be a bit miffed that they can't. But I can't see how they're victims of sexism.

I'm genuinely interested.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 05/06/2013 21:11

I guess RFL started because women, and particularly older women or those who have had cancer would like to raise funds in a 'safer' less competitive or intimidating than traditional marathons and if men racers were admitted it would change the dynamic.

Some women - particularly older ones, particularly women who may have been carers and not had any time to spend on their own hobbies or sports - are fearful of performing competitive sport or exercise in front of men, some have body issues, some want an environment they perceive as more supportive and less about goals.

That is the reason I think RFL exists.

If men want their own men only race for testicular / prostate cancer then I don't see why they can't organise it?

latebreakfast · 05/06/2013 21:27

"I can't see how they're victims of sexism."

So if only white people could take part - or only non-disabled people - or some other arbitrary discriminator - would that be ok too as long as it raised money for good causes and made the included group feel more comfortable?

Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 21:28

It's not about men wanting something for themselves (like for prostate or testicular cancer).

A man whose wife or mother has died from cervical or ovarian cancer wanted to do it he couldn't.

And if you don't want the competitive element why call it Race for Life - that implies a competitive element.

Marjproops - I was a man the last time I looked lol. I will refrain from commenting on the feminism issue is I fear I would be opening a can of kickass for myself - I always seem to offend someone without meaning to!

WineNot · 05/06/2013 21:31

Latebreakfast so, by that reckoning, the MOBO awards are racist and should be banned?

latebreakfast · 05/06/2013 21:34

from wikipedia:

The Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, established in 1996 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.

So no, they aren't racist

Portofino · 05/06/2013 21:35

If men wanted to do one then they could organise one surely? It's not a new thing.

WineNot · 05/06/2013 21:38

But they're only performing black music??

Starting to see my point yet? You can take this to the nth degree.

But if no one is worse off because of it, is it actually racist or sexist?

Shouldn't people be focused on the bigger battles?

Portofino · 05/06/2013 21:38

Complaining about the wonderful women who take part just seems like sour grapes to me. How very fecking dare they raise money for charity when the Menz aren't involved.....

MrsS1980 · 05/06/2013 21:42

If anyone is interested I am involved in a charity which is organising exactly this. I am happy to give more details but don't want to associate the charity name with a post that may get reported.

There will be 3 races this year in Liverpool, Hartlepool and Newcastle.
If anyone could let me know if this is breaking talk guidelines or not I could give more info? Or, I can PM people who would like more information.

marjproops · 05/06/2013 21:42

Oh dear. Flaming from the feminists all over the place?

And no, Im not feminist at all and Im rooting for the men. men have wives/partners/other female relatives who get cancer too and im sure would love to do something for them.

If men were running for testicular cancer and it said men only then the women would be out in force to protest why cant they run?

LittleBearPad · 05/06/2013 21:45

There are LOADS of charity fundraising runs that are open to men. Yes men can't do the race for life, but there is nothing to stop them raising money for cancer research either by joining an organised race or doom something off their own bat.

Lazyjaney · 05/06/2013 21:46

Easy test. If the sexes were reversed would theta be a hoo- ha about sexism?

There is your answer.

LittleBearPad · 05/06/2013 21:48

For example.

www.bigfunrun.com/?victoria-park

Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 21:51

Lazyjane and marjproops. Thanks for saying what I can't.

And actually are people worse off? The charity may be. Yes I am sure some women wouldn't do it but if the number of men increased the total taken for the charity then yes people are worse off.

Portofino · 05/06/2013 21:51

If the men were that bothered they would organise their own. What is stopping them?

LessMissAbs · 05/06/2013 21:54

No, because a defence against sex discrimination is where the discrimination is based on reasons of physical necessity - I assume the connection between women and breast cancer is the main one. However there is nothing sexist about organising a race for one gender the Olympics are full of them and there are also mass participation races for men only, or for a particular sexual orientation (yes, there actually is a 10k for gay people).

Justfornowitwilldo · 05/06/2013 21:55

The tried doing men only events. They petered out due to lack of interest.

Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 21:55

Er I hate to say this but there are a few cases of men getting breast cancer!

marjproops · 05/06/2013 21:56

you're welcome llovemyself.

StrangeGlue · 05/06/2013 21:56

Yabu! It's not sexist to have things for only one gender and its their usp. If it wasn't just women and massively pink it'd just be like every other marathon.

It'd be sexist if the race for life got loads of coverage and men's races didn't say like... Hmmm the coverage of men's and women's football in the uk ( and massive pay differences which mean most professional female footballers work another job too)

Justfornowitwilldo · 05/06/2013 21:57

Enough women run/walk it because it's women only to make it financially viable. Enough women would not do it if there were men there.

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