Hello all, man here! am i welcome to talk and learn a bit about stuff ?

[PleaseCustomizeCharacter]

Ive done a little browsing in the feminism section and i admit its intriguing, please forgive my ignorance as i dont know alot about this all.

I just want to start by saying i was raised to respect everyone and i truly do, my view on equality is simply if some one, man or woman is good enough to do the specific job they aspire for then they have every right to get said job/goal, again if this is slight ignorance forgive me, i post this topic because i would like to learn and be less ignorant, love me some knowledge.. :)

So i suppose my question is broad and depends on the individual person's view, but what is the over reaching/ultimate goal of feminism ? or what does it mean to you personally ? and please, dont think im trolling or anything i genuinely want to learn a thing or two, thanks :)

You might want to ask yourself why you thought that women would simpy answer all your question. Also, why you felt the need to announce yourself.

Would you announce yourself in the same way on a fooball thread on reddit? What would you think if a woman did it?

When I first came across the feminist threads, I read them for a very long time before I posted, because I wanted to understand the issues. I might not agree with all the feminists (it is impossible to do so) but in my thinking, a decent understanding of the issues (on any subject) is surely required before you debate.

Answer these questions and you may have had your first lesson in male and female socialisation and how it affects how we approach the world and the different sexes.

Enjoy the board. There are some exceptionally clever women here, it's a joy to read.

AssignedPuuurfectAtBirth clearly it was wrong and i apologise, i just meant it as a friendly intro being my first post on the board.

had i the gift of hindsight id introduce differently now, i honestly didnt mean offence by it

@PleaseCustomizeCharacter stop wasting women's valuable time. We have no obligation to teach you anything.

I don't think I want to be part of this thread after this post or part of a group of such uptight, unkind people. Why would I ask a doctor or lawyer to explain things? Learning about them wouldn't make any difference in the way I speak or behave or impact someone's life.
I have no expectation that people would give up their time but in RL people have conversations, people generally don't mind speaking to people about issues that are important to them especially when it can raise awareness or change a person's perspective and subsequent behaviour. Its normal human interaction. How did I educate myself about the issues facing the homeless? I spent time with them. I learnt that a lot of ways people thought they were helping were actually not. I changed my actions - I got knowledge I would never get from reading. As for empathy? How on earth is wanting to know about an issue in order to change my behaviour to impact Subtone life more positively not showing empathy?

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see how this thread is cruelly un-nice for a budding student of feminism. In all honesty I can't think of anything more inviting than offering a starting place for learning about a new interest, especially considering the subject is so close to my heart. If a reading list is not hand-holding enough I'm not sure what's considered 'the right thing' in this instance - ?

Jesus, if this is what giving someone a hard time looks like I suggest we all click over to the latest AIBU roasting and get some perspective.

EDUCATE ME, WOMEN, FOR I AM MAN.

I properly laughed.

alexkate - anyone who's been on the FWR boards for a while is liable to be somewhat 'once bitten, twice shy' when a thread is started by a man purporting to be seeking education on feminism. I'm inclined to give this OP the benefit of the doubt, but mostly such threads are not started in good faith. If the reception here is frosty, blame those men.

@Alexkate2468 ah I see, do you ask for casual professional advice at cocktail parties as well? 'Oh so you're a doctor! Would you mind taking a look at this for me? Hold my glass while I undo this button.'

This is the feminism board and the op has come here to ask about feminism. A discussion is taking place. It is educational and constructive. I'm not sure what you're objecting to - ?

Is it that we're... not nice enough?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3234504-What-made-you-a-feminist

This is a thread written by Mumsnetters - all personal stories. I'm on there under a different name - I've changed my name (my entire mumsnet account actually) because this forum - where women gather to talk - is under attack from activists.

People have been doxxed, threatened - and they are posting screenshots of our names and posts on Twitter. A couple of weeks ago, an ex-employee of Mumsnet doxxed some women here, by putting their IP addressed on twitter.

I no longer felt safe under my old posting name - I am one whose posts have been put up on twitter.

That's why women need feminism.

The links numerous people have sent are kind and i thank them all for them, I honestly wanted to know more after hearing majority bad things of feminism, i didnt mention this as i didnt want to annoy or offend i honestly wanted to know more about the subject.

Oh, and the reason people can be hostile to OPs like this, is that those of us who have been posting here for years, have seen 17,643 men come onto the forum and ask questions like the OP - only to then go full men's right's activist/misogynist on us - and talk about feminists sending men to war and shooting Erin Pizzey's dog - after a few pages, when we've engaged in good faith.

Don't do that.

Most women know the difference between starting a conversation and a demand for service.
The fact that OP has not availed themselves of the service offered to them and instead ignored those who gave him what he claimed to have come for should have clarified the situation for anyone paying attention.

ToeToToe i had absolutely no intention of doing that say what you will about this but i came with honest respect.

I don't think I want to be part of this thread after this post or part of a group of such uptight, unkind people.

Oh no, women for God's sake BE NICE. How bloody often do you need to be told.

Op @PleaseCustomizeCharacter it is a very broad topic, I'd advise some background reading - I think there is a good book list somewhere then when you have some more specific questions ask then and I'm sure we'll try and help - just maybe not on the whole feminist school of thought in one broad stroke, you kind of have to do your own background research.

Men do this so often both in person and on the interwebs that it has a name. JAQing off. (Just Asking Questions)

Your best bet now, is to go away and read some of the links you've been sent. Read the current conversations on here. You won't understand all of it, but it will start to make sense over time.

You may be taken aback at the very forthright exchanges on here. We don't feel obliged to be socially accommodating.

"Cellophane, Mr Cellophane, should have been my name..."

KittyKlaws thanks, this brief exchamge has already shown how broad and varied it is and thats part of what i wanted to know and once i get through some of the links and old topics im sure ill know more. although i may of started wrongly, i meant my post in good faith.

Or you could ask specific questions? I'd be happy to have a stab at answering them- "tell me all about feminism" is a bit tricky.....

@BesmirchingMotherhood

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!

'I honestly wanted to know more after hearing majority bad things of feminism' - what I believe is known on mn as a 'drip feed'.

But hey op, feel free to ask any question you like. I don't think you're really being given a hard time here. Generally this is a gentle corner of the internet where you are unlikely to receive the threats of rape, murder or more creative violence which are so readily offered elsewhere to women. A bit of eye-rolling really shouldn't deter you.

Or you could ask specific questions?

Maybe after doing some of the recommended reading though?

MillicentF Fair comment, not knowing much about the subject, i dont really know what to specifically ask about at this moment which is why i just sort of asked about personal opinions.

"I honestly wanted to know more after hearing majority bad things of feminism"

Where have you heard the majority bad things?

Good. Then welcome. Read lots. Change your username, we don't need to know what sex you are. Ask questions in the same way you would ask a man.

There are plenty of male lurkers here and some regular posters. No problem. Stick around long enough and you will see the trolling that happens here, usually at weekends about 0030hrs+ and then you will better understand women's experiences.