Suska
“women can 'enliven discussions' and 'make a difference to debates'. I could not agree more. “

I am rather perplexed at this statement, particularly when the Centre for Independent Studies is now a “nearly all-female team”.

Would you agree also that “men can 'enliven discussions' and 'make a difference to debates'.”.

Again it is difficult to define if an group is a “think tank” or not, but there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of women groups throughout Australia.

Eg
http://www.nwjc.org.au/womensorgs.html
http://www.abn.org.au/
http://www.nwjc.org.au/avcwl/lists/info/index.html

Then there are the women’s organisations attached directly to the government
http://www.women.gov.au/channel/channel.asp?ctid=1&cid=908&pid=828

and then there are the international women’ groups
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/organisations.asp

Hardly any of these groups or organisations allow males to be members at all, and many of them are subsidised by government.

Perhaps the CIS should do a study on why it is necessary to have so many (women only) subsidised women’s groups, and then have government as well

Stephanie, they are called "Think Wanks",and we all know men are the best at that that particular past time.Case dismissed!!

Arjay,

Would you like to elaborate on what you have said, or do you want to try and stereotype the male gender, exactly as the author has done.

If someone investigates the number of organisations in Australia that exclude men, and also considers the amount of literature written by women, then the idea that women are “perhaps being silenced”, does not equate to reality.

STEPHANIE

women subscribe less readily than men to the myth of the efficiency of violence; women tend to expose the "underbelly of war" by focusing on basic needs such as food and health security; they tend to be preoccupied with the bigger picture - the consequences - while some men maintain personal agendas of power.

You're RIGHT about one thing, women and men have different priorities in regard to conflict. One of my suppliers informed me of a little anecdotal survey she did among the staff asking "What does this mean"?
"Mr right, or Mr 'right now'". 90% of the males thought it referred to the guy u want to marry and the one u want to just 'bonk'. but the females thought it meant 'Ok as a friend/partner for now, but not a life time thing'

Now, back to conflict. Men are interested in power ...sure, but in conflict they are interested in ONE main thing "VICTORY" because girls, without it, you will all be raped and your possesions pillaged.
.. and we would all be either dead or slaves. The thing is, after a battle, its mostly the men who have spilled their guts all over the place to PROTECT the women who are thinking about the 'big piccy' as you say.

Its just a plain fact of life, undeniable, irresistable irrefutable, that without men to protect them, women are just 'meat' to the victorious side. Vulgar you say ?

How about 'realistic' in todays world, not yesterdays, nor tomorrows, but todays. Sure, not in Melbourne, but in Darfur, Bosnia, Congo ... and countless other places.

So, instead of ripping into we men about how we are 'partiarchal' (as if this is an evil thing, which it is not, it is culture) how about thanking us that you have the freedom to actually SAY these things.

I should add though, that behind every good soldier is a team of others, including many women who make his role more bearable.

The point being, 'horses for courses'

Do what you are good at, made for, shaped for, strengthened or unstrengthened for.
:)

Stephanie Fahey attacks males and adds fuel to the fire or inter-gender hostility. What would she think if a male writer made similar attacks on women? Like much of the politically correct, she preaches anti-discrimination but doesn't practice it. Her affirmative action dogma clearly knows nothing about social justice, because true justice is blind to gender. True justice does not paint-by-numbers (i.e. 50:50 male/female participation does not denote justice). True justice rewards superior ability and hard work.

By the way, the women from the Centre for Independent Studies have no need to seek recognition for the fact that they are females in a male dominated field. The quality of their work speaks for itself, commanding our respect.