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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?

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WineNot · 05/06/2013 21:57

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.

That's not a valid argument for two reasons... Firstly, is there data out there to say takings would go up if men could take part (or would it stop some women taking part?

Secondly... Nothing is stopping men donating!

Good luck to all the 'men only' races out there.

Personally knowing 3 people who have had cancer (including my husband - 3 times), I say the more events, the better. Whatever form they come in.

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madamginger · 05/06/2013 21:59

raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/why-is-race-a-women-only-event/index.html
Says here they trialled a men only event and had to cancel it due to lack of interest

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 22:00

I don't want to get flamed but serious question. Do the feminists here have a problem with the stereotypical pink colour that is used for Rfl?

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 22:03

They trialled a man only event but it failed due to lack of interest. Perhaps it's because they would rather take part in an inclusive event.

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WMittens · 05/06/2013 22:04

WineNot

Definition of Sexism.... "Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex"

How on earth does RFL qualify?

What a silly comment, didn't you read what you typed? (Or was it copy and paste?)

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marjproops · 05/06/2013 22:06

lovemyself im surprised someone hasn't flamed you yet for being a MAN on a womans site !!!!

you cant win either way can you? damned if you do, damned if you don't.

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 22:07

Madamginger. Isn't the fact that the link refers to the "sisterhood" a bit off? There would be complaints if we started a men only club for the " brotherhood".

I just don't see why the event shouldn't be inclusive and let men raise money as well.

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WineNot · 05/06/2013 22:07

WM

Bangs head on table.

How are men being discriminated against by not being able to take part in RFL? How are they worse off? They can go for a 5k run if they want

No one's answered that yet?

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 22:08

Marj. It has happen when I was a bit bull in a china shop on my first day on here. I have learned.........

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marjproops · 05/06/2013 22:08

and btw yy Id have a prob with the stereotype pink.

lets not take away the great thing that charity runs and things are, and the money that's raised, but as some say MORE could be raised if more people could take part.

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 22:12

You could say they are worse off by not being able to contribute in the way a woman can in this event. And isn't anything that is non inclusive discriminatory?

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WineNot · 05/06/2013 22:18

You could say that Ilovemyself. But if non inclusive = discriminatory, could the same not be said for Movember/MOBO/Gay Pride/Disability Rocks, and many, many more?

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marjproops · 05/06/2013 22:23

with Movember, women could maybe not shave their legs for a month .

MOBO- Michael Jackson was virtually white in the end!!

Gay pride- erm....lesbians?

disability- Olympics/Paralympics?

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LittleBearPad · 05/06/2013 22:30

Movember and leg shaving... Hmmm. I wear opaque tights as soon as it gets a bit chilly. I could make thousands.

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WineNot · 05/06/2013 22:32

marj and littlebear

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Ilovemyself · 05/06/2013 22:46

Many of what you describe ( gay pride, disability rocks etc) are about raising awareness. Would I actually be banned from walking in the gay pride march? My wife is bisexual and my Brother in law is gay so I support them even though I am not.

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Justfornowitwilldo · 05/06/2013 23:18

As is Race For Life. It also encourages exercise. Lots of woman don't exercise in public because they feel too self conscious. This is a 'safe' place, just like all women gyms. Maybe you should go and picket one of those.

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musicmadness · 05/06/2013 23:30

I won't run in race for life because the only people I would want to do it with are male. I don't mind it existing, but personally I don't have many female friends, and even less in this country, so I would not take part in an event that was not open to both sexes.

I don't think it is discriminatory, and In wouldn't mind a male only event, but as someone who is mostly friends with the opposite gender it completely puts me off taking part.

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ladymariner · 05/06/2013 23:38

What a lot of fuss about nothing. R4L is a brilliant fun day out, raising loads of money. If you don't like it for whatever reason then fine, do something else but don't expect it to change just to suit you.

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WMittens · 06/06/2013 12:28

WineNot

FFS, do you even know what the words you are using mean?! Look up 'discrimination'.

"They can go for a 5K run if they want" - yeah, and? What has that got to do with anything? Are women unable of 'going for a 5K run'?

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WineNot · 06/06/2013 19:59

^Discrimination.

Noun.

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, esp. on the grounds of race, age, or sex.^

Yup, I copied and pasted that one too. I'm not a walking dictionary, you see.

I simply don't agree that men not being able to run race for life is 'unjust' or 'predjudicial'.

It's ok for people to disagree with you sometimes, you know....

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Mugofteaforme · 09/06/2013 18:18

Race for Life excludes half the population on the grounds of sex, so yes of course it's sexist.

Whatever your view this is a product and like every other product it has a life cycle. The most successful products are almost always being developed to extend their life cycle. I'm afraid Race for Life radically needs a shake up in this respect. I think the dwindling revenues in recent years speaks volumes.

Maybe it's time Men were included to shake up the paradigm somewhat.

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bridgetsmum · 09/06/2013 18:24

We have a women's mini marathon here in Dublin every year, it's supposed to be women only, but every year we get men in dresses running it

Does that happen in RFL?

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MNBlackpoolandFylde · 09/06/2013 18:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mugofteaforme · 09/06/2013 18:30

It's strictly Women only (although boys under 12 are allowed I think). I heard of one guy who recently "gatecrashed" the event dressed as a Woman, I believe he wanted to celebrate the mum he lost. I heard he was tutted throughout.

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