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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:
NarkedPuffin · 18/03/2012 18:56

Perhaps you should pop back to 'F4J' and ask them about their 'iDad' thing.

thefresheggnoodlePan · 18/03/2012 19:09

just checked on Dadsnet. No mention of you! C'mon..come over to us. We don't bite. We soothe worn out egos very well. Give us a go.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 19:29

Op, you are right. It should be thus:

The forum for parents to chat
With parents to be
And people who are yet to conceive, not forgetting
Those who just want a bit of a laugh.com

After all, we can't miss anyone out...

BeerTricksPott3r · 18/03/2012 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 19:32

Fathers for justice is also known as (and I prefer) the name F4J.. it is all encompassing..

And mumsnet is also known as mn. What's your beef?

SunshineOutdoors · 18/03/2012 19:34

As far as i know, the site is for anyone who wants to join it as long as they abide by the talk guidelines.

No, it is not just mums who are parents.

I hope that answers the two questions in your op even though you said you had a question, which implies only one question . The question in your title isn't a complete question doesn't really seem worth answering tbh, are you suggesting that this may mean the site is sexist? I don't think it is.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 19:36

Beertrix, why thank you. I worked very hard on it, I only have an ickle lady-brain...

HelenMumsnet · 18/03/2012 19:40

Evening all.

To answer the OP, yes, Mumsnet is for parents of all genders and of all ages. And, actually, we do have a fair few members who are not parents at all, either because they are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant soon or because they are interested in our discussions and wish to reflect their own viewpoint.

We chose the name Mumsnet simply because it is a less clumsy, more memorable name than Parentsnet ever could be. Realising that the name might provoke exactly the same reaction as the OP is having, we then very deliberately chose the strapline "By parents, for parents" in order to signal our wish not to exclude fathers - or indeed grandfathers or even fathers-to-be.

We do take gender equality seriously - and we would never refuse membership to anyone on gender grounds. Men are just as welcome on Mumsnet as women, and, as many of you have already posted, we do have many male "regulars", ranging from stay-at-home dads to fathers-to-be to male nannies.

That said, we do think there is space on the web for forums where women tend to make up the majority of members. There is certainly no shortage of male-dominated forums...

But whatever gender our members are, we're very proud, over the years, to have built up a membership who are so willing to support each other so generously through the often tricky journey that is parenthood.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 18/03/2012 21:02

I luff you Helen :)

smthchri · 18/03/2012 21:19

I am new to this.. As I have said before I only joined as I saw it on facebook. Called mumsnet .. By parents for parents.. So where are the dads? the pic shows what looks like 3 women holding small children... I just dont like it realy. It just feels like it is just for mums.. and yet you say it is for everyone.. 2 mums started it.. and yet 3 mums are in the logo. Hufff.. none of this makes sense.

OP posts:
BIWI · 18/03/2012 21:26

There are plenty of men here. Interestingly, we choose not to define ourselves by our genders. Most posting names could be either male or female. What we value is the poster and not whether they possess a penis or a vagina.

BIWI · 18/03/2012 21:27

My advice? Stop thinking about it. Just look around you, enjoy, and post!

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 21:28

there are dads. there are also parents to be, people who are trying to conceive, people who specialise in certain areas, childminders... are you outraged on their behalf too? or is it just the men? as has been said, we have plenty of men on here. and you said that the F4J abbreviation is all-encompassing (I presume thats where you are from) by that token, so is Mn, the abbreviation that most of us use.

d-. must try harder. its not even original!

thefresheggnoodlePan · 18/03/2012 21:29

Dad here. We don't wear our gonads our names. That would be silly. But there's quite a few of us.

Honeydragon · 18/03/2012 21:29

What biwi said. People only know your gender or species if you announce it on here.

thefresheggnoodlePan · 18/03/2012 21:30

on our names. Obv.Hmm

QIelf · 18/03/2012 21:31

Don't let that put you off smthchri.

Most mners are women, however, so if you find that a problem, then maybe this isn't the place for you. But why be put off by the logo and the name? I think this thread has demonstrated that men aren't unwelcome here.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 21:31

I'm a high court judge called Bernard

ok, I'm lying, but I could be

Honeydragon · 18/03/2012 21:34

I am a medium sized European Dragon that likes honey (true)

Beachcomber · 18/03/2012 21:34

PMSL at huffing and it not making sense that could be a site on the internet where there are more female members than male, (and the name reflecting that).

We'll be being described as uppity in a minute.

Hilarious.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 21:37

beachcomber, we arent just uppity. we are uppity feminists

honeydragon, thank god. my core of existence is unshaken! Grin

thefresheggnoodlePan · 18/03/2012 21:38

And I am a might Greek faun with the a sexual proclivity toward goats, and have just started to appreciate the wonders of fresh egg noodles.

Which part of that is true is open to conjecture.

Honeydragon · 18/03/2012 21:39

happy to help. typings a bitch with claws Wink

OracleInaCoracle · 18/03/2012 21:40

pan, I know its all true. Ive seen your whistle. [grfin]

honeydragon, but do you paint them?

CappyHunt · 18/03/2012 21:48
Grin