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.

KaseyM I vote he goes on the a r r s e forum and explains to them how they're doing soldiering all wrong

I have read the preceding few pages, and I'm not dissing anyone by ignoring, I just have nothing constructive to add, and if I did I would probably make it worse, but I do have something to say on the original topic.

I do not think the name Mumsnet is sexist. I believe it represents a bias, and that in this case is a very good thing. We all posses bias, even those of us who are desperate to try to be fair and balanced in our views, as such we can take it as read that some of what we each hold to be true is wrong. This is why opposing points of view and bias being expressed in society are essential, and the perspectives that you find represented in Mumsnet have not been traditionally expressed elsewhere in the media at large.

Agree or disagree on individual issues all you wish, and even if you disagree with each and every point ever made here this place is representative of a large enough section of society to warrant its existence. If the name announces that bias, even better as it is simply being upfront and honest about where it is coming from. I wish I saw more of that in this day and age, as for example if "The Daily Mail" titled itself as "The Daily Ill-Informed Bigot" for example, I'd know what to avoid. However Mums are a group I am very interested in hearing from, as what they do is of critical import to the type of society I live in.

My only potential criticism I would have in the name, reminds me of what the Iroquis Indian delegation asked at the first continental congress: "Where are your women?". In this case where are the Dads? However a few very bitter women as an aside, the very general consensus I find in the threads I have read on here are Mums who are champing at the bit to co-operate with the Dads in the raising of their children. So if there is any sexism in the name Mumsnet it is sadly a societal reflection, and not one whose origin you will find here, and who knows if we listen to the Mums we may not find the whole solution, but I suspect we'll find part of it.

I am sure there will be a site called sports fan' .... and I am sure non sports fans' can still go on it - I happen to be a mum it is what females who have children are called, non parents and even those fathers can come on mumsnet but as with those on `sports fan' might talk about sport mumsnet may talk about being a female with a child and other things too.

Mumsnet is an easily accessible space where women aren't forced into a box of someone else's idea of femaleness.

Although you can tell there will be women here, if you come open-minded and look, you see that Mumsnet actually allows its 'mums' to be sah mums, woh mums, dads, grandparents, those in childcare or people with nothing to do with kids at all.

The 'mums' can be representatives for expats, bakers, runners, horse owners, dieters, designer handbag obsessives, baby wearers or baby weaners.

But also the mums are welcome to show themselves as philosophers, debaters, comedians, supporters, campaigners, and THINKERS.

It's a good place. I like the name.

"How funny, a man is being asked to be treated as equal. Poor old men, they are never equal are they?! Life is so hard for the poor men. Glass ceilings at every turn. Can't fill out a form without being asked if they are married or not. Bless."

Do they teach sarcasm and belittling people you disagree with at femschool? This post is so common it could almost be cut and paste.
I we need some new script writers. :~)

Yes, I agree. It is aimed at women and its name suggests that. It has now closed and that’s good news. See, we have two “camps inside the man and women arenas. Those angry women and men that can see equality but don’t want to change because they still have benefits from the very unequal and backwards was parts of society still are. Then , you have modern thinking people like yourself that absolutely can see all the sexism and division and want to change it. However, you have asked a question inn a forum that itself is inherently sexist. This forum should have been changed to “Parents Net” years ago. We will never work together of both “camps” of people want to leverage their gender for personal gain.

Life is very hard for men. We currently have 1 man killing themselves through mostly hanging every 2 hours in the U.K. so yes you are right. Life is very tough for them. If you cost the Office of National Statistics website you will see that the three causes of male suicide are; divorce, unequal child custody rights and social isolation due to the way our society pushed men out of it.

This thread is 7 years old

Why resurrect a 7-year-old thread?

used to be

Probably get a strike for it these days though

Gosh, being called sexist is so delightfully retro.

What's so terrible about mums?

I think we're supposed to be seen and not heard NeurotrashWarrior, smiling and nodding is good, ideas and opinions is bad.

Well that was a fascinating read from so long ago! And still men want to shut Mumsnet down down so must be doing something right.

I'm almost nostalgic for threads like this, isn't it weird to see all those old usernames too!

A men’s rights activist!??? No, someone who is highlighting that men are killing themselves all over the world at a rate when there are people saying that men have it easy. Not really

Nobody mentioned shutting it down. Just making it more inclusive. Problem is people see this as a threat. No worries though. I’m a fan of everyone.

Men on average do have it easier than women
Many men don't do well in a patriarchal society
These facts can both be true at the same time

Men also tend to use more violent , effective methods to kill themselves. This explains much of the difference In suicide rates ..attempted suicide rates are less sex differentiated

Given that it's the patriarchal society, not women per se, that causes problems for many men, you would think that they would want to work with women to effect societal change,

but it seems many want to gain self esteem in a hierarchical fashion, using power over wome, so perpetuating the values of the patriarchal society that gives them so little

Not sure how changing mumsnet to parentsnet will help reduce male suicide tbh?

No one is excluding men from mumsnet.

I'm not sure what male suicide rates have to do with this forum either 🤷‍♀️