The Name Mumsnet sexist?

[smthchri]

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

Sorry, Hec

I waffled

OP, if you're still around - it does sound like you're having a rough time and that you really, really love your children.

Maybe do hang around, go to other areas of the site and see what help and support you can get. There have been many many people who've come on here in similar situations, and okay, MNers may not be able to do miracles but you will get a sympathetic ear, impartial advice and you'll learn some pretty disgusting stuff (FYI - if an MNer says "google ... " or "don't google ..." DON'T GOOGLE YOU'LL NEED TO BLEACH YOUR EYES).

Otherwise, it is great. I mean, I've been hanging around here for around 5 years and I'm not even a mother

(I am an aunt many times over, so that's my tenuous excuse)

«makes room behind pitchfork proof barricade for abs»

As it happens, I'm not responsible for the bat. I think it may have been Cod.

@Soup Dragon said "Have you complained to F4J that their name is sexist? All of your arguments apply equally to them and they have women supporters too. Or are you able to see past their name?

I am intrigued by this "Dads can do things mums just cant (or find it less natural) and likewise for mums.". Well, women can give birth and breastfeed and men can provide the Y chromosome but, apart from that, I'm struggling to think of anything."

It is this sort of comment that has upset F4J.. For whom do you speak? My children prefer living with me compared to their mum. As I spend more time with them.

You quoted SoupDragon's question, smthchri, but failed to answer it. Was this intentional?

Did anyone hear a noise?

it sounded more like a statement to me.

"Dads can do things mums just cant (or find it less natural) and likewise for mums.". Well, women can give birth and breastfeed and men can provide the Y chromosome but, apart from that, I'm struggling to think of anything."

smthchri - if this comment has upset you then you are probably reading it wrong. I read it as saying that, apart from the obvious biological differences, both men and women have the same capacity to be nurturing to their children.

No one is saying that fathers are redundant or not needed.

Failure to answer people's posts is getting a tad tedious, smthchri. Anyone would think you were here with just one agenda. No idea why I would think that

Have you had a look at the rest of the site yet?

It's because he can't, BIWI. He can't counter argue logically, and when you have no counter argument that makes any sense - it's best to ignore the question and/or attack the questioner.

I have read the whole thread and I am still giggling at Sperm Downers

My DH went to Mothercare with DD yesterday.

"It is this sort of comment that has upset F4J."

Which statement? I really don't understand why either would upset F4J unless they are frightened by the truth.

The one asking whether you have complained to F4J about their name being just as sexist as you claim Mumsnet to be?

Or the one where I refuted your claim that dads can do things that mothers can't? The fact is that the only thing dads can do that a mother can't is provide the sperm and the only things mothers can do is breastfeed, provide the egg and give birth.

There is nothing wrong with either of those statements/questions. Neither say that a mother is better parent than a father. The latter simply points out that any actual difference ends at conception/birth/breastfeeding. If you disagree with that, please elucidate. I can't think if anything a father can do that a mother can't - clearly you can and I'd like to know what.

Obviously two parents if preferable but, to be honest, what sex they are really doesn't matter.

«adopts David Attenborough type voice»

"Here we are in mothercare, following a lead from local tribes of a sighting of the fabled man within its walls. This is something never before seen in these parts, after all, the region was named after its chief inhabitants, the mother."

Now why haven't I seen that episode of natural amazing jungle planet? Oh yeah, it never got broadcast!

Once again even though OP will ignore my facetious contribution again I am a male poster. I love mothercare. Where else can I get wetsuits for the kids?

Amazon

Curse you predictive text!

And my rant looked so awesome until then... :(

How could soupdragons comment upset anyone .

Maybe smthchri meant to put the word 'some' at the start of 'Dads can do things mums just cant (or find it less natural) and likewise for mums.".
That would make a bit more sense of his subsequent 'My children prefer living with me compared to their mum. As I spend more time with them.'

Some dads can indeed do things some mums can't. Some dads can spend more time - the opposite is more often the case thanks to our unequal society and stereotypes.

Bless, the op appears to have started this thread to make us all go "wow, he's right. I have seen the error of our ways" and thought he could debate intelligently. Realised he's out of his depth and isn't being taken seriously, and so, is lashing out with wild claims. That reminds me of something else... If only I could put my finger on it...

Op, F4J, respond please.