I have just been accused of being sexist

[neepsntatties]

Because I am running an arts project for mothers. I am wondering if I get some kind of badge.

Well I have spent the afternoon working on my contribution.
I didnt feel like I was participating in some dreadful sexist conspiracy

Mind you I was purposfully and willfully segrating myself from 5 males in order to get a bit of peace to do my sewing.....

A doorwedge and heavy rock on the iPod works well.

can't wait to see it!!!

Its a bit cross.
Its not fluffy in the slightest.

It makes me look like a loon.

ah well.

Is the childcare aspect relevant, i.e. is childcare provided to allow mothers (mothers being the only parents with childcare responsibilities?) to participate?

I don't think that makes the group sexist per se, but if that is at its heart it's playing straight into the myth of childcare as a 'women's issue' and not a 'parents' issue'. You can use that as my contribution to the theatre piece if you like I hope it goes well.

I can't wait to see it!

The contributions can be done at home. I see what you mean about the childcare issue. I just wanted to do something practical right now that would let mothers participate.

why is it women only
is it public sector funded

Gosh no, not funded at all.

I also was looking at exploring ways of integrating my practice with being a mum. I feel like I alway have to keep them separate but they are both part of who I am.

what is it
participative workshop?

No a short piece of theatre, mothers are being asked to contribute something to the creative process which will also be in the final piece. A workshop would have been nice.

Who accused you?

Odds on it was male.

Yes male. An actor on a theatre forum I posted on.

Tell him to fuck off then. For some people it's the only language they understand.

You told him that a project on fatherhood would be interesting, gives him the chance to do something that only wants fathers to contribute.
That seemed a good reply to me.

There are projects that I would not be able to contribute to. I wouldnt object to a father's project or a lesbian project or a project for Deaf actors.

I wouldnt usually dismiss a concern about exlusion but this does seem a bit daft TBH.

Mothers have something unique to say.
That doesnt mean that father do not or women who are living with infertility.
Both groups could produce powerful work.
I suspect that sounds patronizing but it isnt meant to.

TBH this is the first time I have been asked to contribute to something like this. Women like me dont get asked very often.
I have a lot to say as it happens.
Bit too much probably

It's really offensive of an actor of all people to be complaining about this given how many male parts there are and how many fewer there are for women.

It sounds lovely.

The sexism is just whiny-arsed men having tantrums about not being allowed to do whatever they want whenever they want.

If the project was for youngsters 16 and under, would you be ageist?

The person who called you sexist is an idiot. There is nothing at all sexist in running specific activities for specific groups of people.

dappleton,
My husband says the UK is beyond developed - as opposed to developing or developed - as a nation. This is the very reason he has this opinion - have your art project for mothers and enjoy - anyone who says you are sexist for doing so really has very little to worry about!

thats fascinating, reallly , please expand on that, wheres your husband from, what doesn he/you think?