After re-reading my last comment I would like to modify it a little. Feminism as an ideological basis for analysis of human relations has developed a great deal over the past 50 or so years. The great challenge it faces is much the same as many other social movements have faced, from the days of the "terror" that was perpetrated in the name of egalitarianism by the Jacobins during the French revolution.

That is, how do you use the passion of commitment to justice for voiceless victims of terror without yourself falling into committing terrors?

The same question has been asked of social justice movements ever since and few have managed to answer it convincingly. I can't think of even one, to be honest, including Feminism.

Thank you, Sarah, for your complete ignoring of my comments and for your decision to pander to the twisted rationalising logic of the anti-feminist men on this forum. After all, they have the overwhelming numbers on this thread and you are more than willing to go with the dominant viewpoint.

I'm sure they feel totally vindicated and ever so smug that you have gone with them. And I feel completely vanquished and exhausted by my attempts to put the record straight on the overwhelming dominance of the disaffected-male point of view on this forum regarding the twisted analysis of DV research to favour the male DV viewpoint.

Sadly, that is how women are conditioned to relate to men. Pander to their egos, while ignoring and devaluing women's experience.

I wish you luck. Women are their own worst enemy. You are the resounding proof of that.

Killarney

I have been drawn into a discussion of domestic violence, for which I claim no expertise.

I thought your post on 5 May 2015 6:46 was interesting - I had no disagreement with it, and had nothing further to add to it. Hence my lack of response.

Many of the comments, particularly earlier, support your view about the type of person who engages on OLO.

I am not pandering to anyone. I am merely engaging in a discussion with those who have hung in there.

I am very interested in internalised misogyny, and agree that women can be their worst enemy

R0bert

'Killarney has a very long history of extremely unpleasant behaviour towards those who don't accept her views on gender, also a substantial history of reprimanding female posters who step out of line. She has not in my recollection ever actually debated the facts, rather relied on unfounded and unsubstantiated claims about research that does not back their view of gender.'

That is NOT true and you know it. I have many times challenged the so-called facts. I have especially challenged the methodology of Conflict Tactics Scale (which even its founder has distanced himself from) and memory recall methodology that forms the basis of so-called DV research that tries to prove that women are just as violent as men.

That 'unpleasant behaviour' you capriciously refer to is simply your take on the fact that I disagree with both you and the many 'research' studies you link to use to back up your biased and subjective views on DV, based on your own unresolved bitterness about your divorce history.

Craig Minns

I read the article you posted with interest. It is very sad that men interacting with young children receive such unjust treatment. However, I am not sure that feminism is to blame for this. I wonder about the impact of sexual abuse allegations, both past and present, that flood the media. I am also aware of the impact of social media - in which people seem more likely to shoot off an emotional response (often in anger) rather than think before they post.

You ask an important question: how do you use the passion of commitment to justice for voiceless victims of terror without yourself falling into committing terrors?

I think the answer is - by keeping an open mind, and acknowledging that our behaviour is determined, in part, by our social, economic, cultural environments - including our life experiences. I also think "passion of commitment to justice" requires empathy.

Sarah

'I am very interested in internalised misogyny, and agree that women can be their worst enemy'

Then, for goodness sake, say so! And let women know that YOU know!

Male viewpoints need little validation or addressing, because the male viewpoint is the 'status quo'. What is needed is for women's experience to be acknowledged and understood.

Instead, many feminist-oriented women feel they must try to make men feel less threatened, by reasoning and rationalising and being ever so polite in the face of men's misogynist anger, bitterness and fear.

On the face of it, that seems mature and reasonable. But it's a dead end. Women never gained anything from being polite and reasonable. Their gains have only come about through pushing and forcing change and refusing to listen to all the platitudes men come up with to insist that the status quo will change if they behave the way the status quo wants them to behave.