Isn't the name of Mumsnet itself sexist?

[MissPeach]

The Mumsnet slogan is 'By parents for parents', suggesting that it is of course, for mothers and fathers. Yet the name Mumsnet would suggest otherwise. It suggests that the forum is only for women, which in turn conveys the idea that women do more parenting than men.

To be honest, it doesn't irk me that much, but it was just a thought I randomly had, and was wondering other opinions on it.

"Would you ask for advice on the feminist part though?
I dont think there is much advice sought on that part of MN, by men or women."

I think many women ask for advice on there, some even asking about feminism when they have never thought about it.

Feminism, like any other fight for equality is unfortunately highjacked by those who fight not for equality but want to take things too far. It also has the problem that "outraged from Tunbridge Wells" will always over react to issues or make issues where there are none.

Feminism, like any other fight for equality is unfortunately highjacked by those who fight not for equality but want to take things too far.

That sounds ominous. What are those women planning to do? Please tell us more.

Feminism going too far ?

What, like wanting men and women to operate on a level playing field ?

Damn feminists ruining Mumsnet for men.

dadinthehat, why would you have to be a SAHD to be on here?

Ilovemyself, agree that they ask about feminism on there. Not sure what else. Though I dont post regularly on there myself.

Blistory you have just shown what I was on about. If you had read what I had written properly you wad have seen that I said that equality is fine. It is those that want to rule the world rather than being equal that are the problem.

And isn't your final comment sexist. I am getting some fantastic help from others on here on an issue I need help with. But you hate the fact we feel put off by some of the feminist comments. If you want Mumsnet just for women's that is just sexism in the other direction

You clearly misunderstand what feminism is.

And should I point out the part of your post where you stated that you would prefer not to have a feminist section as it makes you feel uncomfortable asking for advice on this website.

So you're happy to make use of us when you want as long as we don't have feminist discussions.

That ^^ would be the very reason why feminism is still needed.

Please explain then.

Sorry but no. I've had a shitty day on here reading all sorts of crap about women being treated in humanely. About the rights of men coming first and on and on.

I'm really not in the mood to guide you through Feminism 101. Another time perhaps if you really are genuinely interested. Alternatively if you ask on the FWR boards then there is always someone willing to take the time for reasoned debate.

So there are people here whose plan is to rule the world - and they're starting this by creating a site for mums named mumsnet which has a feminist board? Did I get that right?

The reason I feel uneasy is because I hate getting flamed by feminists who hate men because they are men.

As I said, I have no problem with equality. My wife and I share the parenting. I have worked for male and female bosses. But if Feminist agenda makes a site uneasy for men then surely it is a step too far. This is, after all, a parenting website

Yonitime. What I mean by that is that rather than equality they want to make men feel bad about themselves or bad about coming into a female dominated area.

So much for equality

Ha, I could point you to three threads today alone where the only people defending men are feminists. And that's not an unusual occurrence. Feminists hold good men in high esteem.

To be fair, I think most feminists, at least on the MN feminist boards are after equality, not domination of men.
That is how I read it anyway.
I think there maybe were a group that wanted domination, but not sure they are still on there. Dont know for sure.
But if you dont click on the feminism section, you wont really see it.
More then enough other categories to ask for advice on.
If in doubt about which section, just post on chat.

I wouldnt try to stop the feminist section existing, if that is what you have been trying to do.

And am I a good man or. Bad man? Basing this on the fact that all you know about me is that I feel uneasy about feminists.

I would never try and stop any form of comment, and encourage debate. All I was saying is that with every form of fight for equality, there is always the group that want to go further than equality.

And I think that if you can't question people's motives for their feminists views without them getting defensive and reactionary it is poor. Especially when you have already stated that you are all for equality.

Blistory - sorry if I got you on a bad day. I certainly don't want to offend anyone but equally don't want to take people's views on board without understanding them

Blistery, where is this
humanely that men are being treated in?

And perhaps my " rule the world" was wrong. What I meant was the "every man is a bastard and out to get me type" when we quite clearly are not!

Feminism is a topic which affects all women, whether or not they agree with the name or what they think of the agenda. It also affects parents, as it impacts on the kind of wold our children will grow up in. It is right that a site which aimed primarily at parents, particularly women, should have a feminism section.

If that puts off some men, because it makes them uncomfortable, then that's a price worth paying.

I agree that there may be some women who dislike men on principle. Most feminists do not agree with that point of view, but it is better that they express it and have a debate even so.

Is it possible for a decent man NOT to be a feminist?
NOT to believe in equality?

FFS! Why oh why do we always get this crap about some feminists wanting to "rule the world" and "take things too far"? What the fuck have we done exactly?

Hitler wanted to rule the world. Genghis Khan, Stalin & countless power hungry dictators in history who set up concentration camps, invaded other countries and lobbed off the heads of people they didn't like, now they could be accused of taking things a tad "too far". Not a single fucking feminist amongst them.

Yet somehow it's always fems that get accused of this heinous crime of wanting to take things "too far"?

I've never known a single sodding feminist who ever wanted anything other than fair share. As for hating men, jog on! It's those pessimistic non-feminists who come out with the "what do you expect from a man?" and "boys will be boys" crap, not us!

The fact that people are so ready to buy into this idea that feminists want to rule the world is PART OF THE PROBLEM FFS!!

So that makes me a feminist then as I agree in equality. Jeez, it is easy for people to get upset!

Hey KaseyM. Have I started with the FFS? No. I am entitled to am opinion and yes, I do feel like I have to tread on egg shells around some women, especially when I have had the attitude thrown at me that I should have to pay penance because of what has happened in the past. Is it my fault. No it is not.

What the f@:k have you done? I don't know, but I hate the tone that gets thrown just because I have questioned what the feminism is about on his site.

Yes, there are women out there that hate men just as there are men that hate women. But the fact I have questioned something on her and have receive a load of vitriolic replies rather than someone politely telling me what it is all about says a lot about some of the contributors.

I only joined today so I am bound to have questions. The parenting question I have asked has given some fantastic replies. Shame my questions here haven't.