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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

The Name Mumsnet sexist?

238 replies

smthchri · 18/03/2012 13:42

I have a question. Is this site for Parenets or mums? are only mums parents?

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 18/03/2012 13:44

It's for everyone. It happens to be called Mumsnet. Confused There is a Dad's section and a Gransnet. HTH

Giyadas · 18/03/2012 13:50

He knows this already Sparkling, he's already been told on another thread.
Weak and tedious attempt at a Gotcha.

JustHecate · 18/03/2012 14:01

Yes, it's a site for parents. The clue is in the tag line "by parents for parents"

It's called mumsnet because when the two mums set it up from their kitchen, they were reaching out to other mums and that's what they decided to call it. They didn't think it would turn out to be this huge thing!

So now it's grown, changed and it's so much more.

But it's a bit late (and daft) to change a well known brand name. It really knocks the brand. People don't like it.

jif - cif
marathon - snickers
opal fruits - starburst

A brand takes a while to recover from a namechange!

But - is it even for parents any more? There's nannies, childminders, teachers, and other people whose careers are children.

Then there's the people who want to have children.

Then there's the people who don't have children and don't want children but like the site.

What's in a name?

PeopleNet and NetPeople, we'd end up with.

and they're just stupid names.

smthchri · 18/03/2012 14:03

I am a new user. I have 2 boys. I have looked up parents net on google and it is a sperm bank.. does this mean all dads are sperm downers? I thnk not.
what is a Gotcha? I think it is very sexist.. I would not have joined unless I saw it on facebook.

OP posts:
jinsei · 18/03/2012 14:05

If you don't like the site, I suggest you don't come here.

ABatInBunkFive · 18/03/2012 14:06

Good for you you can think what you like, if you object so much you don't have to stay.

smthchri · 18/03/2012 14:07

What is wrong with having it called parentsnet.com and have a forward URL from the original name of mumsnet.com.

OP posts:
curiositykitten · 18/03/2012 14:08

"I am a new user. I have 2 boys. I have looked up parents net on google and it is a sperm bank.. does this mean all dads are sperm downers? I thnk not. "

Nope, that's co-parents.net

If you're going to have a bee in your bonnet, at least make it factual!

remote · 18/03/2012 14:08

yawn

RatDesPaquerettes · 18/03/2012 14:10

Sorry but Grin at sperm downers!

smthchri · 18/03/2012 14:11

that is not a very good attitude .. this site says "For parents by parents" and yet you want fathers to leave or not join

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 18/03/2012 14:13

Nope. Just some of them...

ExitPursuedByABear · 18/03/2012 14:14

Er no. If you like it, stay and enjoy. If you don't like it, don't stay.

HTH

curiositykitten · 18/03/2012 14:14

"that is not a very good attitude .. this site says "For parents by parents" and yet you want fathers to leave or not join"

Yes, yes, that's exactly what everyone said!

jinsei · 18/03/2012 14:15

Fathers are very welcome. Twats are not welcome.

HTH

ThisWeekonFancyPuffin · 18/03/2012 14:15

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

HTH

Maryz · 18/03/2012 14:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SophieNeveu · 18/03/2012 14:15

Have you thought of setting up Parentsnet yourself?

NormaStanleyFletcher · 18/03/2012 14:16

Is fathers 4 justice a sexist name?

JustHecate · 18/03/2012 14:16

But what about the many users who are not parents?

To call it parentsnet is excluding them. By your argument, that is.

So it would have to be PeopleNet in order to reflect the users. Or MumDadGrandparentAuntieUncleFriendTTCTeacherCMAnyoneNet.

Do you think that by calling it 'parentsnet' - it will change anything?

Do you think that anybody with half a brain thinks oh, it's called Mumsnet - clearly if you're not a mum you don't go there. Oh, now it's called ParentNet, I'll join now.

I mean, you can think what you like, obviously. That's your view and you're entitled to it.

Reality is - the name is mumsnet, the users are people who are mums, or dads, or grandparents, or uncles, or aunts, or childminders, or nannies, or teachers, or business people... and anyone who wants to use it does so.

And the name isn't going to change. The owners of the site would have to be bonkers to spend ten years building up a brand and then change the name because a few people think that the word 'mum' should be removed.

thefresheggnoodlePan · 18/03/2012 14:18

smthchri - you are hardly being original. come and post with us over in Dadsnet. Real testosterone-driven stuff there. I'm sure you'll like it rather than being a bit of an embarassing nuisance over here.

ABatInBunkFive · 18/03/2012 14:18

I think we should just do away with mums full stop.

LtEveDallas · 18/03/2012 14:18

MN has plenty of fathers who are members here. They don't seem to have an issue with the name - how strange that you do?

MN also has men working for them, they don't find it sexist either.

It's a great site - maybe you should look past the name. Don't judge a book by its cover and all that.

Sparklingbrook · 18/03/2012 14:19

Don't know about 'sperm downers' but this thread is a real downer, and for that reason I'm out. Grin

SophieNeveu · 18/03/2012 14:19

Have you asked NetMums the same question?