Very interesting ideas about what it is to be a man. The most abhorrent misconception seems to be the one about our limitless ability to take it in the balls, followed closely by the almost ritualistic emptying of our wallets.

Taking it like a man, regardless of what is offered, apparently makes one a man. It does seem we are incognisant to our plight, and yearn to be gentlemen while forever prepared to reward skank.

The point was accepted about biology, Yabby. However, while biology does influence behaviour, it should not become a source of descrimination in any areas.

The example I like to use is in sport, as it is such a highly ingrained element of our culture. In mosts sports males are getting a higher rate of pay, recognition and support, for doing what is essentially the same activity.

Now, you might say that men are physically more powerful and therefore they create a more exciting game and attract more sponsors. But to take your words, it is a "spectrum". I have observed women's sport for a very long time and I see no difference in the overall quality of their game than that of the men. Quite simply it is unfair.

As for your comment about 50/50 - I am aware of the diversity of differences among us all. I manage a women's AFL team while my paid work involves teaching grade 1 students - on both occasions I have copped plenty of 'blokey' flack off my warehouse-dwelling male counterparts.

So yes, people vary considerably in their interests/abilities etc, and to an extent this is biologically based. Of course it is.

But my main argument is that people should get equal recognition for what they acheive and equal support for what they want to achieve.

PS - thankyou for your advice on the reading material. May I suggest the following for you:

"The Frailty Myth - Redefining the Physical Potential of Women and Girls" by Colette Dowling

A great read.

tubley, to take one example of your sports issue. How many sports are based on equality... The only sport which truly tests your contention (that women are as good at sport as men) is golf, where women can join the pro tour, not many can make it though (one in all time is it?). What about tennis, would any female be able to get into the top 100, maybe, the top 10 no way, and maybe not ever. How about the AFL (the mastabator sport (can't really play anyone but yourself (australia only))), you think your women's team could beat the local under 16 boys, maybe, the under 18s, doubt it, a seniors team, get real.

This issue shows that the only equality that should be discussed is that which is before the law. That is after all what equality meant for those originally fighting for it, equality before the law. Not some nazi feminist idea of full equality when difference is so pronounced.

(for those who disaprove of the term 'nazi feminist'
I don't see a problem in comparing nazi's who undertook the holocaust and the similar killing of unborn children, both are for convenience. And both tell us to trust them, it is not large in number, but won't let us gather statistics. Nazi feminists are often quite open about their biological superiority to the inferior male. Many nazi feminists have called for the elimination of all men, one has told us how happy this would make her on this very forum!

Girls and bullying behaviour - Why women in power are just as abusive as men?

The notion that women would make better leaders is utter nonsense. In the field of POWER, human nature always rules and behaviours honed in the stone age days are never far away.

In this article, http://www.aare.edu.au/97pap/leckb284.htm, the topic of female bullying is discussed. There are numerous such links on the web.

The chief means of female bullying , not excluding overt physical violence, are:

Spreading Rumours:
Writing denigrating Notes and circulating SMSs.:
Telling False Stories:
Saying Things Behind people's Backs:
Gossiping
Shutting Out
Deliberately Not Invite: Using parties as a tool to highlight/exclude victims
Revealing Others' Secrets
Deliberately Ignoring victims
Threatening victims to Not Be With certain special individuals (Excluding)

Typically these tactics are used on weaker victims. Bullies never attack those of equal of greater strength

As for male bashing, women are being led to believe a certain class of men, who are unemployed for example, are exposed or weak. This belief is espoused by a sensation seeking and often trouble making media looking to boost ratings. It is initiated and reinforced by government policies or omissions, which CURRENTLY favour women in the workplace. Under these conditions, men WILL be bullied by any or all of the above tactics. Its the nature of the beast (women).

You will never stop women bullying. So the answer is to first address government policies that discriminate against men (family law, workplace discrimination etc) in a way that will remove media attention to the issue and thus the perception that a weakness exists.

More broadly, all Australians are at risk of falling foul of government policies geared to immigration and immigrants as THE source of economic power. This is why a demand for HECS fee removal and a moratorium on immigration are so vital.

Kaep, if you are worried about immigration, then perhaps you should look at the fact that we have an ageing population, and therefore less people of working age each year. This explains the skills shortage and the need for immigration. If you would prefer current Australians to be taking these jobs (which I assume is your concern with immigration?) then you should try and influence the abortion debate so we could start having some australian kids, instead of offing them for economic (short term, it is always economical to have children in the long term) reasons or inconvenience reasons such as embarrasment.

KAEP your symptoms of female bullying could have easily been listed under one heading BITCHINESS, and trust me working in offices with predominantly females you see a lot of it. Quite entertaining in a way especially if you are on the sidelines and privy to both sides of the bitch duel.

Speaking of sidelines - Tubley, you have no idea about sport if you think that men get paid more because of some sexist conspiracy.

I, like you, have coached women's football, as well as coaching teenager boys and very young boys. Phyisically, on average men are better at football. Most women would not be able to cop a proper hit in a game of football.

As for other sports - the elite men run faster, jump higher, leap further, swim quicker, hit golf balls further, bowl cricket balls faster. (BTW, I have watchede soccer matches where representative women's teams who have been absolutely flogged by 15-year-old club sides.

And have you been watching the Australian Open tennis? There, the men have to play best of five sets and the women just three.

Men and women are different and sport is probably the most obvious example of this. Which probably explains your hatred for blokey, boofheads who partake in this Australian culture. It sums up the self-loathing you have for your gender rather well.

t.u.s.