37 year old man here

[BlueStahli]

Hello,

I'm a 37 year old male, married, with two children--a boy and a girl.

I've always had an issue with sexism. But only recently have I been delving headlong into it. I've been researching facts and studies, talking to people, getting opinions, and voicing my own views. In the process, I stumbled across this site. So I joined. I hope to learn much here. Needless to say, I'll be spending most of my time hanging out in the feminism forum.

My reasons for being here are three-fold:

1. I want facts! I want to know how sexism and discrimination have been measured/studied scientifically and what results have been found. I want to know what kinds of government policies and human rights have been instated (or removed) and where in the world this has happened. I'm tired of anecdotal stories and questioning how biased people's claims are and I feel I'm ready to take a position on more secure grounds--but I need to build those grounds first.

2. I feel I can contribute much to feminism by offering a man's perspective. I wear my heart of my sleeve and I'm not afraid to reveal personal information. But I also feel that if I'm going to give my perspective on certain issues, I'm going to have to earn the right to do it first (so you won't get it in my first post :)). I'm confident that I can do this in a constructive/non-offensive way, and if I ever do step out of line (never advertently), I'm open to being corrected. Ultimately, I feel that if two groups are trying to settle their differences, there's no better way than to hear the perspectives on both sides.

3. I've got issues! :) I really do! Like I said, I've always had issues with sexism, and lately I've been on a self-induced "therapy kick". I've been forcing myself to "get over it". Diving into the issue with other peopleother womenis how I'm doing it. I don't think I'll ever be "cured" of my issues, but if I'm going to be stuck with them, I figure I might as well have them for the right reasons (i.e. educating myself--as in #1 above).

So that's my spiel.

So first order of business: I'd like to ask if there are any males on this forum--particularly ones that frequent the feminism forum. I'd like to ask their advice on how a man conducts himself on a forum devote to moms and feminism.

Thanks :)

Oh dear.

Aww. I love it when a man turns up to tell us how to do feminism... Sorry, I meant to say give us his manly perspective, because that is something we don't get ALL THE TIME.

falafel please stick around. I like you.

Mornin' Blue, another man with issues here. Similar age, similar home set up.

Can't add anything to Falafel's post, it's quite a good idea to just observe the FWR board before posting. Most of the regulars here know far more and will delve far deeper into the subject than I ever have and it's all a learning curve so just reading is enough for me to learn stuff.

Also, there's a lot of injustice, painful, uncomfortable and difficult stuff discussed . It's not fun. But it is worthwhile. I hope I'm a better person for coming here, but I'm not in a position to judge.

I don't think I can muster more than a

OP people here have been generous with their time in explaining to you why you are getting the response you are. I hope you listen. Personally I stopped reading your post at "I want facts".

I think it's time for the behold, a privileged, entitled, sexist twat man has arrived image!

So you "want facts". Go and find them and stop being such a lazy entitled arsepiece. Your education is entirely up to you.

Then, when you've done that, don't come here and tell everyone that you're a convert and a feminist. Go and talk to other men about it. Bend their ears. It is the behaviour of men that needs to change, and it is men that need to make those huge changes

As others have said, This. falafel, how about joining us in the pub? We're friendly in there, honest. :)

3) I've got issues! I really do! Like I said, I've always had issues with sexism, and lately I've been on a self-induced "therapy kick". I've been forcing myself to "get over it". Diving into the issue with other peopleother womenis how I'm doing it. I don't think I'll ever be "cured" of my issues, but if I'm going to be stuck with them, I figure I might as well have them for the right reasons (i.e. educating myself--as in #1 above).

I think this means he's a sexist, he knows he is and he wants us to teach him not to be?

In that case, he would end up being sexist! but for the right reasons? An educated sexist?

No - if he remained sexist, it would be our fault. Genius!

"so ladies, here i am, now's your chance to convince me about this feminist stuff"

i expect the OP is on reddit somewhere complaining about the response he's had here

ha ha ha ha ha this is the very best bit

"I'd like to ask if there are any males on this forum--particularly ones that frequent the feminism forum. I'd like to ask their advice on how a man conducts himself on a forum devote to moms and feminism."

yes, good idea. The men will know best! Ask them.

"I want facts! I want to know how sexism and discrimination have been measured/studied scientifically and what results have been found. I want to know what kinds of government policies and human rights have been instated (or removed) and where in the world this has happened."

Sorry OP, but this really makes no sense to me. I've studied Archaeology and History back till early prehistory and there is only a few shreds of evidence concerning matriarchal societies and usually in very small and defined locations all over the world. The rest of societies has always been patriarchal. So... how would you explain that sexism/gender discrimination have decreased or increased if there's never been a starting point or a change we can even date before thousands of years ago?
I'm totally wondering if your question had any logic to it....

Falafel please stick around! It is nice to have men in feminists chat :)

Well said Falafel.

Anyone else wonder if OP was a set-up so falafel could turn up to be admired?

This thread has all gone a bit Meta

It is a bit embarrassing that OP's bid to impress the laydeez with his feminist mission failed, but falafel's kind of worked :o

ooo, Abbie, conspiracy theories

I like it