Mark

An observation or two:

1. The complete absence of women posting here who hold feminism to blame for not finding the right mate with whom to have children in time for the deadline of their biological clocks.

and conversely,

2. The barrage of (the usual) bitter men who regularly pour forth their bile on anything "tainted" by the feminist cause.

Johnny Rotten,

'The complete absence of women posting here who hold feminism to blame for not finding the right mate with whom to have children in time for the deadline of their biological clocks.'

True, though I would say feminism is a sacred cow. And I wouldn't think this forum would be representative of the community. I suppose if you believed something freed you from oppression, but gave you some bad side effects you would think it unfair to whinge about it. That's why it's rare for any woman to see anything at all negative about feminism. I agree it has created great good, but am not blind to the side effects. Anyway I wouldn' think people are 'blaming' feminism, just accepting limitations in certain areas of women's lives.

'The barrage of (the usual) bitter men who regularly pour forth their bile on anything "tainted" by the feminist cause'

Yeah, well, just because someone doesn't agree... I think that's a bit harsh really. As above, pity those who attempt to critisise the sacred cow. I don't subscribe to the commonly held belief that the antonym of feminism is misogyny.

"I don't subscribe to the commonly held belief that the antonym of feminism is misogyny."

Neither do I whitty, believe it or not, and I wholeheartedly agree with everything in your last post.

After the many posts I directed toward HRS, it was only in the last one I called him a misogynist, and I think the reasoning I put forth in that particular post as to why, is sound.

And it's not because he's just critical of feminists.
I accept that there are issues with feminism, I really do.
What bothers me, is this absolute refusal to countenance anything that feminists have to say.
When it's combined with tactics like blowing things out of proportion and equating an insult to a particular individual as representative of a 'feminist attitude toward men' it really looks very weak.

Regrettably, those criticising feminism who actually are misogynists make it hard for the more reasonable people to be taken seriously.

The problem I have, is that there are many disgruntled men, who instead of genuinely addressing the sections of feminism that are at fault, prefer to pretend the entire philosophy is to be attacked. Because pretty much all sensible women believe in equal rights for their gender, it's only a quick jump from this attitude, to a hatred of women in general.

But yes, I concur that there are plenty of problems with feminism, though I don't think any of the articles I've seen on OLO are representative of this alleged misandry that lurks in the feminist psyche.

Whitty,

”.... though I would say feminism is a sacred cow.”

Disagree, plenty of women disagree with each other on these forums, EG abortion, religion, politics, economics. And many women would not describe themselves as feminists, however, majority of reasonable women believe in equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities - which is the foundation for feminism.

“ And I wouldn't think this forum would be representative of the community.”

I agree, however, as I noted above plenty of women on these forums do disagree with each other. And the fact is not a single woman has posted agreeing with Mark.

“I suppose if you believed something freed you from oppression, but gave you some bad side effects you would think it unfair to whinge about it. That's why it's rare for any woman to see anything at all negative about feminism.”

As Fractelle has stated many women don’t like to describe themselves as feminists (because of the negative connotations) but still believe in equal rights.

You have attacked feminism in a general sense, rather than on Mark's claim. In addition, the author appears to resent higher education for women – says that is why women aren’t having families – do you agree with him? Guess I am asking you to make a post about the topic. This is the issue I have with the more hostile posts, they’re just attacking feminism and not considering the implications of Mark’s claims.

'The barrage of (the usual) bitter men who regularly pour forth their bile on anything "tainted" by the feminist cause'

”Yeah, well, just because someone doesn't agree... I think that's a bit harsh really.”

You think? With the exception of Mark Richardson most of the “criticism” of feminisn has been very hostile – as if there are no redeeming features of it whatsoever.

At least my post got you to put down something that I can respond to in an intelligent way. Thanks, mate.

And thanks TRTL, always well thought, although I don’t agree with you completely about Whitty’s post.

Everyone believes in equal rights – the rest of us struggle with equal responsibility.

Johnny Rotten,

Just to clarify, I don't see the problem as higher education for women. I do regret that so many uni educated women fail to partner and have children (something like one in three last time I checked the stats), but I don't conclude from this that higher education itself is at fault.