About 'International Men's Day'

[ZoeTurtle]

I've just been informed by a colleague that it's International Men's Day. According to their website:

It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them.

AIBU to think this is MRA bollocks or is there a big problem of "discrimination against men" that we should be highlighting?

[BeyondThirty]

Men are more likely to suceed at suicide because of the (more violent) methods they choose, suicide attempts are actually equal.

[BeyondThirty]

*succeed

[weeblueberry]

Makes me think of this...

twitter.com/manwhohasitall

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

I'm still wondering about any cat getting ideas above it's station.

No station is above a cat's. They may, in some situations, appear to take a lesser position in a household but that is purely for the cat's benefit. It'll soon fuck off if it's not happy with the situation!

[HaydeeofMonteCristo]

I think it's ridiculous. Just like the "why don't we have white history month" argument.

Men still have massive privilege in society and that is what needs highlighting not some supposed "discrimination".

What about straight pride? Shall we have that too?/

People need to realise that not everything has to work both ways. It's counterproductive in any effort to promote equality if the currently privileged group gets the same attention/ promotion as those suffering discrimination.

[SeparatedByMotorways]

"Surely if we have international womens day its only fair to have international mens day?"

Not necessarily, it really depends on what you think is the purpose of International Women's Day, and international Men's Day for that reason. I had always thought that International Women's Day existed to help provide an outlet to discuss the achievements and needs of women in a world where they have been historically, systemically and structurally oppressed. As this is not the case with men, it seems minimising to women for men tot have their own day.

However, if it is being used to raise awareness of issues such as men's mental health then that seems completely positive. And it does provide a quick and easy comeback to arseholes derailing and asking "Why no international Men's day" on the 8th of March every year...

[howtorebuild]

Their station is to have us clean their litter tray, stroke them, share our bed and feed them. If we are lucky they will give us a bit of attention, strokes are required in payment for the cats attention.

[Unreasonablebetty]

The discrimination they face? Just for being male?
Hahaha... I don't think any of them are discriminated against because they are male.
Going to call my husband and see how he intends to mark this special day... What does he fancy cooking for dinner.

[SoupDragon]

yep evil ex wife blocking contact for no reason. -> yawn

There are regularly threads onMn where the mother asks if she should withhold contact because of X H or Z. So yes, there are women who do so and its despicable, not yawnworthy.

[SeparatedByMotorways]

X posted with HaydeeofMonteCristo I think. That post summed up my reservations far better than mine did...

[ottothedog]

The patriarchy oppresses us all. I am not opposed to men organising around issues they feel affect them disproportionately or that they want to highlight. It's still true though that in many many ways men do better under the system than women.

[SoupDragon]

Erm.... Soupdragon, sorry to point out the obvious, but men's physical and mental health would improve if they were do accomplish what Scream suggested!

I look forward to you explaining how those things help a male who is single. I'm also intrigued as to how those things make any difference whatsoever to male specific health problems.

But I won't hold my breath because this thread is rapidly filing up with the usual bollocks so I have hidden it.

[LilacSpunkMonkey]

To paraphrase Ross Geller: every day is International Mens Day.

If it raises awareness of mental health and suicide in young men, which I'm aware is a huge issue, then great.

If it turns out to be anot her stick to beat women with, not great.

[Screaminlikeabanshee]

Soupdragon I'm all for men having a day to discuss physical and mental health BUT according to the OP,

It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them.

and that is what i have responded to, if they want to discuss mental health fine, no need to dress it up as anything else.

[StillDrSethHazlittMD]

Scream said "are they debating why men abuse women and ways of dealing with such men through policy change? are they pulling each other up on extra marital affairs, pledging to be faithful to their wives and building happy homes for their children? are they discussing why men abandon their children so often and what they should do about it..."

Because no women do any of these things either, do they?

[MorrisZapp]

Thanks for the Richard Herring link! Brilliant.

[howtorebuild]

What about cat spreading, they take up more than their fair share of the bed, that is above their station.

[DamnBamboo]

This site has so much bile-filled hatred towards men. It's pathetic.

Young males have astoundingly high rates of depression and the single biggest cause of death for men aged between 18-40 is suicide.

Suicide in males across the board is the highest it's been since the early 80s and is nearly 4 times higher than that for females.

There is nothing wrong with highlighting this.

I am a woman and I have 3DS by the way in case anybody decides to send some hate my way!

[Screaminlikeabanshee]

Still Yes of course women do these things as well, but evidence shows it is overwhelmingly men! and we are discussing a day designated for men and their contributions to the specific areas such as family, marriage, child care etc which is quite ironic!

[HaydeeofMonteCristo]

I wouldn't say that, separated!

I think having a prostate cancer awareness day is completely valid, or having days or events for suicide/ mental health awareness and domestic violence prevention that include both sexes.

[DamnBamboo]

It's still true though that in many many ways men do better under the system than women

So what? Just become some groups have it harder it doesn't mean that people shouldn't try to make things better for specific subsets does it.

Nothing wrong with celebrating achievements of anyone who is deserving of acknowledgement.

[TriJo]

The patriarchy hurts men too - International Men's Day is an excellent time to highlight this.

[Slutbucket]

Well I am mother of a son and I want equality for him. Can't believe the vitriol about men. There are some horrible men but my husband and son are not one of them. However they do have issues that they face and mainly on their own as that is the "male" way. I am a feminist and do not have any issues with an international mens day. Most of the men in my life are lovely upstanding people who encourage their wives and daughters to be who they want to be. Obviously society has a long way to go to balance equality but it's not my son's fault that historically this has been a patriarchal society. If we want true equality surely we need to discuss issues both sexes face.

[Drew64]

I didn't know and I'm a man!
Google it


The Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation is an Australian Harm Prevention Charity. Formed in 2002, we aim to help turn the tide of fatherlessness as well as resource and encourage fathers. The mission of the Fatherhood Foundation is to improve the well-being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, committed and loving fathers.

Manhood is the foundation for fatherhood. Good men make good fathers. Children and families are the benefactors. The Fatherhood Foundation has networked with other fatherhood and men's organisations to promote a positive view of masculinity and encourage family-friendly policies to support men.

Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation is honoured to work with the founder of International Men's Day, Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, as well as family-friendly men and fatherhood groups all over the world. Together, we promote a unified celebration of manhood and the positive contribution that men make to society.

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

howto - Spreadimg is not above a cat's station. Spreading is a cat's right. If your cat allows you to share the bed - lucky you. If your cat is unhappy with sharing a bed they will go and find a household where they don't have to.