Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Men on Mumsnet!

331 replies

AnnieSnap · 14/10/2021 18:42

AIBU to wonder why some men are on Mumsnet? I don’t have strong feelings about it, I’m not anti-men and the posts from men I have come across on here have all been fine, but it just strikes me as odd that these reasonable men would become a part of an obviously women’s forum. Sleazy men, it would make sense, but decent blokes?

OP posts:
MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 00:47

@TheReluctantPhoenix

Mumsnet is, according to their own strap line, ‘by parents for parents’.

I find it stranger to see non parents on a parenting forum.

The strap line is completely outdated and Mumsnet hasn’t been solely a parenting forum for years. I’m not a parent so you won’t find me on any threads about breastfeeding, childminders, or what to give your kids for tea, but I am interested in current affairs, medical topics, property renovation, books, hedgehogs, prepping - I could go on….

I find it stranger to see intolerant people on a general forum @TheReluctantPhoenix

ErrolTheDragon · 15/10/2021 00:53

I used MN about a decade ago, probably more, and it was a very different place. A man being on then presumably was allowed, but did not happen, ever.

I've been around longer than that and there have definitely been men here for ages.

As with women posters, there's a variety and always has been. Nice blokes, often dads or granddads. Tedious men who announce their arrival 'Man here', to tell women why feminism is wrong or 'Just asking questions...'. Etc

MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 00:53

@PeriChristmas

I find it very odd when women, who don't have any kids, come onto a parenting forum & bang on about not wanting or liking kids.
I’ve never seen this, unless the thread has specifically requested people’s opinions on the topic (but still have never witnessed anyone “banging on” about it) Confused
ErrolTheDragon · 15/10/2021 00:58

I've not noticed your name on the current hedgehog thread, @MrsFezziwig - not one you'll want to miss!Grin

How do you catch a hedgehog? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4374246-How-do-you-catch-a-hedgehog

Kinneddar · 15/10/2021 01:03

I find it stranger to see non parents on a parenting forum

Oh not this again 🙄 Must be what 3 days since we last heard that one

BasicDad · 15/10/2021 01:03

@PurpleDaisies

I'm a champion of diversity in the workplace of a largely man dominated industry. Women's (or any minority) values are not more valued.

It's about the balance of everyone's views, and it makes everything better. A better workplace for our people, better service for our clients, and better for our bottom line.

Well, lovely but this isn’t a workplace. It’s a predominantly female discussion forum. I’m not sure corporate guff is relevant. I’m not sure why I’d need a balance of men’s and women’s views here.

Well, lovely but this is Mumsnet and it's not exclusively for women.

Irrespective of gender, the contributors here have helped me through a myriad of life events, some major and some more trivial.

MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 01:06

@MissCruellaDeVil

They're allowed, stranger to see non parents on here IMO.
Yes, because obviously a parent’s views on Brexit, kitchen cabinets or caring for your elderly parents are so different to those of a non parent.
Mymapuddlington · 15/10/2021 01:09

I find it weird that there are lots of non-parents on here

Redglitter · 15/10/2021 01:11

I find it weird that there are lots of non-parents on here

Why? Non parents can offer lots on all the non parent boards. The actual parenting aspect is now a very small part of this site. All the other areas benefit from input from posters regardless of whether or not they have children

MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 01:12

[quote ErrolTheDragon]I've not noticed your name on the current hedgehog thread, @MrsFezziwig - not one you'll want to miss!Grin

How do you catch a hedgehog? [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4374246-How-do-you-catch-a-hedgehog]][/quote]
I’ve not commented, but have definitely been following! Ace thread! Not least because it reminded me of how I remember “the old Mumsnet” to be (though that may well be through rose-tinted glasses)

Pythonista · 15/10/2021 01:12

@Mymapuddlington

I find it weird that there are lots of non-parents on here
Please see above for reasons.

Although that's a nasty way to exclude those who are TTC or struggling with infertility.

I have learnt a lot about the other side of life from here, perhaps I could suggest you do the same.

Pythonista · 15/10/2021 01:13

I suppose non-parents have nothing to contribute to any of the millions of threads who have fuck a to do with parenting?

Classica · 15/10/2021 01:14

The most popular threads, the ones that rip up to 1000 posts in a day, rarely have anything to do with parenting or children.

scorpio32 · 15/10/2021 01:16

I very grateful for Mumsnet. Without MN I wouldn't know about Magdelen Berns, or Kiera Bell, or Maya Forstater or even JKRs brave stance against an incredibly hostile trans community, and plenty of other strong, intelligent, rational women.

I know what a woman is because of MN.

I hope my presence here helps me to be a better dad to my children, especially my daughter.

MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 01:19

@Mymapuddlington

I find it weird that there are lots of non-parents on here
Do explain. Are parents’ opinions on best buys from Aldi or whether it’s ok to park outside your neighbour’s house somehow more valid than those of a non parent?
TooBigForMyBoots · 15/10/2021 01:21

I used MN about a decade ago, probably more, and it was a very different place. A man being on then presumably was allowed, but did not happen, ever.

I've been here more than 10years. I was propositioned by PM within weeks of joining. There have always been men here.

JesusIsAnyNameFree · 15/10/2021 01:21

@DoYouLikeOwls

I just couldn't imagine my DH saying "I'm just having an hour on Mumsnet". As much as you Woke people are getting yourself all bothered. We are an old fashioned male & female couple.
Can't tell if sarcasm or not... No, it has to be. No one can be like this, surely.
TheBlackArt · 15/10/2021 01:22

@Mymapuddlington

I find it weird that there are lots of non-parents on here
Nobody cares
TheBlackArt · 15/10/2021 01:24

Do explain. Are parents’ opinions on best buys from Aldi or whether it’s ok to park outside your neighbour’s house somehow more valid than those of a non parent?

Exactly 🤣

Would you be unhappy to take legal/financial advice from a non-parent on here? Or is it only parents who can help others on here?

TheBlackArt · 15/10/2021 01:24

Meant happy*

XenoBitch · 15/10/2021 01:25

@Mymapuddlington

I find it weird that there are lots of non-parents on here
I am a "non-parent". There are a ton of boards to post and comment on that have fuck all to do with parenting.
Mymapuddlington · 15/10/2021 01:27

Maybe it’s because I’m on the spectrum but if I wasn’t a mum or trying to be a mum why would I go on mumsnet? I only found this site because I was pregnant and googled.

CherryBlossomWinter · 15/10/2021 01:28

Loads of men on here. My friends’ husbands love a good old look over their wive’s shoulder and then get sucked in.

It’s good, the more the merrier.

CherryBlossomWinter · 15/10/2021 01:29

@scorpio32

I very grateful for Mumsnet. Without MN I wouldn't know about Magdelen Berns, or Kiera Bell, or Maya Forstater or even JKRs brave stance against an incredibly hostile trans community, and plenty of other strong, intelligent, rational women.

I know what a woman is because of MN.

I hope my presence here helps me to be a better dad to my children, especially my daughter.

Love this. Very heart warming!
Pythonista · 15/10/2021 01:31

@Mymapuddlington

Maybe it’s because I’m on the spectrum but if I wasn’t a mum or trying to be a mum why would I go on mumsnet? I only found this site because I was pregnant and googled.
I am also on the spectrum. Not sure what that has to do with it.

Several people have explained both upthread and directly to your comment.

I googled something about Frankie Boyle and found it many years ago.

Swipe left for the next trending thread