Son not welcome at sewing workshop

[Cheryl39]

Just tried to sign up for me, my 16 year old daughter and 18 year old son to join a one day sewing workshop and the tutor was very unwelcoming about my son joining. She said the workshops are mainly attended by women and the group as a whole might be uncomfortable talking about women's issues with a young man present. I feel really sad about this and so have not signed up.....is the tutor being discriminatory......what are your thoughts?

Position that against a day course that may not be suitable for an 18 year old male (an adult

Why would it not be suitable?

If there's no need for single sex anything then why aren't male feminists out there getting this sorted? Come on men. Just do it!

Who here, think Eton is great, Elendon? I personally Public Schools like this are some of the most socially divisive institutions in this country. Their only saving grace, is that from a libertarian perspective, people can choose to provide this type of education for their male children, who pass the entrance exam, if they can afford to do so.

Why isn't Eton admitting girls then? Why isn't that suitable? NotSexy

What ? If you go to Eton a sewing workshop may not be suitable for you?

On what basis is a one day sewing workshop, not advertised as intended to meet any special needs, beyond probably a lack of basic sewing skills, not suitable?

This is just going round in circles and going nowhere.

Sorry TooSexy

No one is saying Eton is great. All one is saying is that Eton is exclusive to males only. Where's the outrage?

If there's no need for single sex anything then why aren't male feminists out there getting this sorted?

Because they are comfortable in their privileged position?

Can you not concentrate on the discussion at hand? Eton has no bearing on the question of the thread at all.

This is a common problem in the feminist chat topic, everyone has to take every single question to ludicrous theoretical extremes. Practical and simple queries get lost in the pontificating and the trying to look clever.

Single sex public schools couldn't be less relevant.

I've said it before, no outrage, Elendon. Just explaining my perspective.

There is nothing ludicrous, theoretical or extreme about Eton.

What is ludicrous is a discussion about one male adult (18) who was not allowed into a one day sewing event which was attended by females.

How can one differentiate between the men who aren't abusers and those who are, or are potential abusers?

You can't. All women can do is to seek to overcome their vulnerability to them. It is risky but without doing this women will remain victims.

There is nothing ludicrous, theoretical or extreme about Eton

Well actually there is a lot ludicrous about Eton, but the problem is you shoehorning it into this thread for no good reason.

What is ludicrous is a discussion about one male adult (18) who was not allowed into a one day sewing event which was attended by females

Why is that ludicrous? Why shouldnt' we talk about illegal sex discrimination?

What is ludicrous is a discussion about one male adult (18) who was not allowed into a one day sewing event which was attended by females

Why ludicrous, Elendon? Any group perpetuating gender stereotypes has further reaching consequences than the OP's son.

And if you think it's such a ludicrous thread, why take part in it? Or more accurately, why trample all over it and try and make it into something else?

You clearly want to talk about Eton, so start a thread about that. Don't hijack someone elses thread.

Eton is permitted to exist under UK legislation for the same reason single sex girls' school exist. Personally I disagree with the provision of single sex and religious based education.

It is not however generally permitted to discriminate on the basis of sex in the provision of goods and services unless a need exists.

There is nothing to suggest a need exists in this particular case.

You can't. All women can do is to seek to overcome their vulnerability to them. It is risky but without doing this women will remain victims

And if this vulnerability extends to not being capable of attending this particular course where the 18 year old is there with his mother and sister the logical extreme is we might as well adopt principles applied in Saudi or Afghanistan.

Goods and services but not education?

I would suggest that this was an educational service open to females only and was not suitable for an 18 year old male adult to attend. It was an educational service.

All women can do is to seek to overcome their vulnerability to them.

How can one do this?

And if this vulnerability extends to not being capable of attending this particular course where the 18 year old is there with his mother and sister the logical extreme is we might as well adopt principles applied in Saudi or Afghanistan.

And now we introduce ludicrous to the extreme.

Other than by fighting misogyny and a culture which views women as primarily existing for sexual gratification that is.

Lass, yeah, I see the existence of single 'safe' sex spaces, as indicative of a lack of the general safety for women, not as something which provides safety.

An equal, unsegregated, society, which values men and women equally, is the best provides the best safety IMO.

I would suggest that this was an educational service open to females only and was not suitable for an 18 year old male adult to attend. It was an educational service

Again, that is ILLEGAL, and was not advertised as women only. Do you not understand the illegal bit?

I see the existence of single 'safe' sex spaces, as indicative of a lack of the general safety for women, not as something which provides safety

If you see they exist due to the lack of safety for women how can you not see them as providing safety? It's also not for anyone else to dictate to women and girls who feel the need for such a space, such as refuges or rape crisis centres.

How can one do this?

NoLove by overcoming fear and using our strength. Being able and prepared to report abuses. By being strong enough to speak out. Supporting each other in this. Seeking support unilaterally, from men and women, who can add their number to condemn abuse.