Daniel,

I have strong views about fairness and democracy and non-biased reporting in the media. I don’t care who writes a media article as long as it is fair to all concerned.

In the case of this article, the writer wants the reader to believe that working mothers are in need of some type of extra attention or resources, but resources are not infinite. Is an average mother in greater need than a father, or an elderly person, or a person who is physically or mentally handicapped, or a child? Many of these people would not be capable of writing articles in support of themselves, and so their voice is not heard.

In the case of fathers, their voice has not been heard in social science issues for many years, as most social science research has not taken them into much consideration when carrying out its research. This was finally acknowledged last year by the AIFS in a staff paper titled “ “Researching Fathers :- Back to Basics”

Quote
“Fathers are overlooked in many areas of research. In the divorce literature, for instance, much of what we know about fathers comes from talking with mothers. The same is true of fertility research, and of research about caring for children. Yet we know that men and women often have quite different views and experiences.”

“In recent years, increasing research attention is being paid to fathers. In Australia, small pockets of research exist but the gaps in our knowledge remain large and fundamental.”
End of Quote

The AIFS and various other research organisations are only just starting to properly research fathers, but who knows if the voice of other groups in society (such as the elderly etc )have not been adequately heard either.

Writters such as Tracey Crisp could easily have done more research, and if she had journalistic integrity, then she should have made much more of an attempt at writing a non-biased article. If writers don’t want to do this, then they should only post their articles onto web-sites that advertise themselves as being blatantly biased in some way, or they should make quite unequivocally clear to the reader, that their article is going to be biased, and not try and hide that bias.

If you want more honesty in the world, then having more honesty in the media would be a very good place to start.

Timkins, ****GENERALLY**** speaking women are the primary care givers to children. *****GENERALLY**** speaking it's women who stay at home to look after the baby, for the first few months at least (preferably so, as men can't breast feed, no ****GENERALLY**** required).

I've never had a conversation with a man angsting over whether he should stay home with the child or continue working or how his future career prospects have been affected now he has children. ****GENERALLY**** speaking it is the woman who is faced with these issues. If you are a man in this position then I would have thought you would have been sympathetic with the article, instead of worrying about symantics. The problem most men face in this situation is more emotional than practical. I know in my own situation (We have 2 children)I felt that I had no say in a matter that would have a direct effect upon my children. (Mind you it never entered my mind for me to stay home and mind the kids).

It's a bit much to have a chop at the female author speaking from a female perspective about a subject that affects relatively few men, but the vast majority of women.

Having said that I'm glad to see you've finally found some common ground with the feminists. You both seem to share a distinct hatred of "gender bias".

Dear Timkins -

Again. You make very relevant points in regards to the lack of research around men as fathers and their role in families. I agree with much of what you say.

My personal view is the continual men vs women approach to such issues is usless and believe a 'partnership movement' is a much more productive social model.

But, you still missed my point.

Tracy's piece is not an article. It is an opinion piece. It is supposed to argue a point, not present all the arguments and issues. Opinions are biased. Read other pieces on this site, you'll find few that do not have bias in them.

You can disagree with Tracy's argument - but you can not ask her to be less biased? She is arguing her point, not reporting on an issue.

Yes, some are more informative than others. But, if it is news and facts you desire - continue reading the AIFS website and similar publications.

cheers,

Tracey Crisp's article is great BECAUSE it is honest. And it reflects the choices of this generation. How anyone can malign this author (ie Timkins) for presenting an relevant issue from a first person perspective is beyond me. But Timkins of all your rants, I believe you have made an important point and incredibly, I agree with you on one aspect ... Germaine Greer talked at length of the nature of domesticity or the myth of 'women's work' and what a con it was. Used as a reference point was the story of the bloke who challenged the claim that all housework was women's work back in the 60s because of his disbelief that it could expand to fill the available day and be considered unpaid labour. So he spent a week at home and cleaned. In half the average time. So I challenge you Timkins and all the other men who staunchly disagree that child-rearing is only women's work, to spend a week, a month, a year! at home whilst forgoing your career, and take the place of the primary carer, and then write to women and tell them how much you easier you have found it. Debunk the myth first hand.

On your point about there not being enough male-related research on this issue, well, as a researcher, I can vouch that it's more a matter of not being able to find a big enough sample of men who stay at home as primary or part-time carers. They're all working on their careers.

Tracy, you say, "I’ll always know it wasn’t my decision to have children which stopped me from becoming leader of the ALP."

Your life is not over yet, although with the craft box and the gingerbread, it might sometimes be hard to imagine a future without the responsibilities of children. But that time will arrive, and when it does, I hope that you reconsider your mother's dream that one day you will be leader of the ALP. Don't only strive to be the first woman leader, Tracey, be the first grandmother to lead this country!

Take a good look at some of the younger party hacks who are currently occupying seats in parliament, and tell me that you could not do better, as an older and more experienced woman who has done the hard yakka both in the domestic sphere and at the coalface.

Women live longer than men, so you have more time to work at winning a seat, and climbing to the top. Start now, Tracey, so are ready at the birth of your first grandchild to make your run.

Daniel,

I am fully aware of the spin of the article, and there are literally hundreds of similar articles being churned out right now for various publications or media sites. When so many similar articles are being produced that show a narrow and biased view-point, it is called propaganda, and it becomes a form of public brain-washing.

Should it be allowed?. With journalist integrity, no.

Cranky and Audrey,
Feminism is based almost entirely on gender bias and propaganda. The greatest opponents of feminism in the US are now women. There are very large women’s groups that are strongly opposed to the feminist movement because they have seen the damage it has done to families, to society and to women themselves. For just one example see
http://www.beverlylahayeinstitute.org/articledisplay.asp?id=5435&department=BLI&categoryid=commentary

I will be asking for you to thoroughly read this example article in the provided link,(that was written by a well qualified woman), to get a full understanding of feminism and what it has done to societies. I also will be asking you to not be making any further insinuations regards myself, or be purposely misinterpreting what I have said.

Audrey
You have been given the opportunity of giving suggested solutions to problems such as the problems of IVF and adoption in another forum. Nothing was given, but you have taken the time to make a long series of insinuations regards myself, and attempt to misinterpret what I have said. This only highlights a common aspect of feminism, which is to vilify someone while at the same time expecting that person to provide solutions to problems