In light of MNHQ's recent statement that the feminism section is in fact not a feminism section but a section 'about' feminism, perhaps we need to be warning people about this up front?

[Beachcomber]

I'm of the opinion that it needs to made clear that whilst the title may be 'feminism/women's rights', this section is quite different to other boards that deal with feminism/women's rights.

It isn't fair to mislead - lots of posters expect the section to be a place where feminist views can be freely explored without fear of posters' mental health being questioned, and a zone where misogyny is unwelcome. In reality, pretty much anything goes here and whilst it is, of course, MNHQ's prerogative to run their site as they see fit, some sort of disclaimer about the section seems only fair in order to forewarn posters (especially posters looking for support or exploration of sensitive issues).

Perhaps it would be an idea for there to be a header at the top of the section stating MNHQ's position?

All suggestions welcomed .

Actually Edd the majority of your posts are in feminism. Does that not strike you as odd?

Why would you choose to spend the vast majority of your time in the feminism boards? Do you like having the attention of a lot of women?

And I think asking if you have kids is actually very very relevant. This is a parenting site after all and as plenty of posters have public profiles which detail their family (which is open only to members of Mumsnet) I think it is a fair question to ask.

BC, I couldn't agree more. Another solution, and one that is in our control, would be to post a FAQ or "What we would like this board to stand for" thread. We could put Vesuvio's post at the top. Then we could ask MNHQ to make it sticky. I suggest this as I think it may be easier for MNHQ to implement as it has less wide-ranging implications for how the whole of the talk boards operate.

What do others think?

Thank you Rhubarb.

Because Rhubarb, feminism is interesting. I said it before, i'll say it again. I've taken an interest in the past to many writings of a radfem called Biting Beaver (google search her, quite interesting)

I notice that Edd doesn't really get down to motivations. I suspect he thinks of himself as "fighting the good fight" or "telling people how it really is" or something similar. But Edd could tell us more, of course.

Not at all slhilly, if I happen to disagree i'll say so

Ah. Do you ever post where you agree? And not about the meta-stuff, about the core issues? What aspects of feminism do you buy into?

Look at my history, that'll answer some questions

That's a good idea slhilly.

Much better than my header one.

Then may I ask edd why you have chosen to frequent the boards of a parenting site rather than any other site? I think it is quite pertinent of me to repeat the question and ask once again if you are yourself a parent.

Because I am sure that you are not stupid enough to know how it looks if a single, childless man started posting in the feminist topics of a parenting board. 'Interesting' does not make a sufficient motivation.

I'm leaving the thread now, as I can feel myself getting a bit irritated. I am trying to bear in mind Helen's advice:

"We do warn/ban posters for making posts we believe to be inflammatory but it is more difficult to follow this through when regular posters are breaking our Guidelines by attacking them in return.

Above all, we'd urge you to remember the age-old adage not to "feed the troll". An audience who won't be played is pretty dull, after all.

If you're suspicions are aroused, then please report it and move on. We promise to look into each and every report."

Rhubarb. MN has many sub-forums that I also have a keen interest in. It being interesting is reason enough for me. If you can suggest a better place to post I may heed your advice

Who said that?

Sorry, I'm going now really. I'm like that Bob bloke who had more encores than Ken Dodd...

Um can I politely remind everyone that this was thread posted with a view to discussing the feminist section as a whole.

Individual posters who wish to discuss how they see themselves fitting into the section may get on better if they start threads of their own? Just a friendly suggestion .

It seems a shame to digress just as slhilly and vesuvia have come up with good ideas. I can't think that anyone would want that!

Right edd, I have just spent the last 15mins going through some of your posts.

From what I can see, edd offers an alternative opinion. For instance in the rape thread he has been quoted out of context, what he was actually saying was that as outsiders, no-one knows whether the woman is right or wrong but that false rape accusions have been made that that is was not within the realms of possibility that it may be the case with that particular woman.

I can find nothing overtly offensive in his posts - and I cannot read the deleted ones but to be fair there are not that many.

I believe that because he is a man, because he has a different view (perhaps a view more leaning towards men rather than women whereas these threads lean more towards women rather than men) and because he seems to post mainly on feminism he has been wrongly accused of being a troll and his posts have been seen as contraversial, but in reality I've seen more contraversial posts from women.

However edd, do you accept that because these threads are feminists, you therefore know that your opposing views will gauge a reaction and you often enjoy the debate and arguments that follow?
Do you also accept that there are women on here who have had extremely bad experiences and may find your, sometimes, strong views upsetting?

I think that out of consideration to the other posters you either need to spread yourself out a bit or be more considerate in your posts. If a thread is debating rape, by all means contribute but be aware that some women have personally experienced rape and it would be like a woman going onto a thread full of men who have been raped by other men and telling them that sometimes men make up rape claims. What response do you think you would get with that one?

CONSIDERATION man is the key here. I believe you are genuine, but you've gotta tone it down. Because the essence of Mumsnet is support and a sense of community for parents who may find life tough going at times. We don't always want to debate, sometimes we just want sympathy. All you seem to use the boards for is debate, pure and simple.

Does that sound fair?

BC: Let's do it, then! It won't take much. I suggest the OP comes from you as you have greater name recognition ;^)

Starter-for-ten. I suggest just a few rounds of edits and then we post:
Heading: "What we'd like this board to stand for"
Text:
"When this board works well, it is jaw-droppingly good: profound insights, great courage, fantastic empathy and support, and excellent explanations and links to resources. When it doesn't work well...it can be a much less rewarding place. This post sets out what a few of us would like this board to stand for, as an attempt to make sure it can be as good as possible. We know ours is but a small selection from a much wider pool of voices, and it would be great if you added what you would like this board to stand for in the thread.

We'd like this board to take as core beliefs that:

1. females do not yet have equality with males
2. the need for equal rights for females
3. the right of feminism to exist
4. the right of feminists to express their liberal or radical opinions
5. feminism has been a force for good in society, improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

We want our discussions to be:

1. Both courteous and vigorous. This is easy to describe, difficult to do, especially when we are dealing with subjects close to our hearts.
2. Welcoming of everyone who, by the evidence of their posts, subscribes to these core beliefs
3. Stony ground for those people who: oppose the need for equal rights for women and girls; oppose the right of feminism to exist; oppose the right of feminists, be they liberal or radical, to express their opinions

This is the type of section that appeals to us."

All yours for edits!

Ok, that's fair. I imagine anything said that is a bit far will be reported anyway. I'll do my best though

That's a great start slhilly.

What vesuvia posted was very sensible and your additions are too.

Rhubarb, you say I quoted edd out of context. I quoted the entirety of his first post on the topic! How is that quoting him out of context?? His subsequent posts may have attempted to soften what he said, but I think it's an unfair insinuation to imply that I quoted him trying to make him look bad.

How can you find nothing overtly offensive in his saying "calling me "darling" on a feminist board? Darling is a pejorative term in this context.

I think you are not reading him carefully enough.

Oh really SGM? Because they were deleted it doesn't mean they were offensive or anti-woman

Would others like to quickly edit? Then BC, are you OK to post as a new thread?