a question for the men here

[Mitchy1nge]

what makes you think you have anything of real value to bring to discussions about women's experiences and expectations?

obviously some men can make interesting contributions (although those sorts of men don't often announce themselves here) to some discussions but generally, on the whole, everything everywhere else is already pretty saturated in Male Voice so was just wondering where you got the idea from

[Narked]

Perfect thread Mitchy. Simple and elegant.

[larrygrylls]

Kickass,

Would you apply the same test to other areas of MN?

Only health professionals or sick people on Health? Only teachers or those whose children are victims of the education establishment on Education? Only Dads or women who have specifically read academic discourses on fatherhood on Dadsnet? Only child psychologists on Development?

And in terms of having the level of discourse that you require, how about a general English grammar and comprehension test to participate in MN at all?

[LineRunner]

I've been struggling for months to write a conference paper on my academic discipline and after reading this thread I've just written the whole thing in one morning.

I suddenly had the building blocks on to which to lay examples.

[Hullygully]

line, this thread might interest you

[Hullygully]

yes susan, but this particular section is the FEMINIST section, just as there are special needs' sections, craft sections etc.

[Hullygully]

Why do you want women drowned out?

Do you think the world is fair and great and lovely and women moan too much?

[LineRunner]

I like 'MN is a co-operative'. And I will be forever grateful for the elegant phrase 'Men telling women how to do feminism' to describe what I thought was an indescribable mash-up of internal negative reactions.

[LineRunner]

Susan, be fair, this is a feminism topic. And I have already said I would like to see men discussing raising their sons to be non-sexist, for example.

[LineRunner]

I think feminism wants men to be feminists.

[Susan2kids]

Also above for Linerunner...same answer. Erm Im really sorry can you tag names on this forum i feel like I should if people ask me a direct question.....but i cant find the function? :(

[AbigailAdams]

"You see the thing about feminism is that it doesn't have anything to do with barring men from discourse, quite the opposite, its perfectly possible for men also to be feminists." Oh we are doing it wrong again.

"Feminism was about the quest for equality, this neccesitates the involvement of men in discussion." No and no. feminism is about freedom from oppression, from whence we wish to have equality. And no it does not require discussion with men. It requires men to change their behaviour.

"the openly feminst activist posters here are basically repeating soundbites with little rational thought behind what they say." Pot. Kettle. Black.

[Mitchy1nge]

even if men could be barred from these discussions I'm not sure that they should, am merely curious about some of their motivations

[AbigailAdams]

In fact with regards your last point Susan, I refer you to kickassangel's excellent post at Wed 30-Jan-13 02:30:07.

[LineRunner]

Susan, no, names are not tagged on this forum.

[Susan2kids]

Right. AbigailAdams. despite the iron of you doing exactly what i predicted.... I want you to read what im about to say and think before you post, if you want to deny what i said thats very good and the point of discussion, the thing is you have to at least relate your comments to what i said. Im going to address your rant specifically.

1. No one said we are doing it wrong...apart from you. I merely said that men can be feminists. If you disagree you need to say why they cannot not make up something I didn't say and attack that because you have no actual argument.
   

2.SO freedom form oppression isnt equality? that line doesnt even make sense, so ill just accept your redefinition of feminism an argue from your point of view..... If you want men to change their behaviour how do you suggest that happens if you wont discuss the issue with men? Please explain....dont just make a statement as if its true and undermines what i said. it doesnt.

1. Do tell me where my soundbite came from.... :)

[Susan2kids]

Mitchy1nge as to motivations I would assume that some are actually interested and some are just trolls....the same is true of the female posters here shrug its about ignoring the mad and engaging the sane.

[LineRunner]

Got that Abigail? You are read what she said very carefully and think about it and be a good girl and do what you're told.

[AbigailAdams]

Before you can have equality you have to have freedom from oppression. It isn't "my" definition of feminism. That is what feminism is, a political movement working towards freedom from oppression for women. Telling us what you think feminism is about is rude (and inaccurate).

Men need to listen to us as mentioned a couple of times on this thread. If they listened, really listened and then changed their behaviour e.g. stopped raping for example then the oppression of women could stop. This does not require a discussion.

[AbigailAdams]

Oh I know LineRunner. How dare I contradict? I am just feeling a bit uppity today