Hey SJF I read one of your links!

I needn't have. It's what I expected.

MYTH: WOMEN ARE AS VIOLENT AS ARE MEN, AND WOMEN INITIATE VIOLENCE AS OFTEN AS DO MEN.

response;

'no matter what the rate of violence or who initiates the violence, women are 7 to 10 times more likely to be injured in acts of intimate violence than are men'

ie. We concede this, but it doesn't matter. That's not exploding any myth at all. Women are as violent as men, just not as strong.

The supposedly exploded (though accepted) 'myth' here is usually used on OLO to give women some responsibility in the escalation of violence in a relationship. ie If a woman initiates violence and it leads to her being injured in retaliation, it's fair to say that a campaign to educate her not to do so is sensible in a campaign to reduce domestic violence.

But the clincher in SJF's link...

'A battered man is one who is physically injured by a wife or partner and has not physically struck or psychologically provoked her.'

Hahahahahahaha. So, it doesn't matter what a woman might have done 'psychologically', or how many plates she's thrown, to violence against women, Australia says no. If you talk about what a woman might have done first, you're BLAMING THE VICTIM.

BUT, in violence against men, 'A battered man is one who is physically injured by a wife or partner and has not physically struck or psychologically provoked her.'

So, there you have it!

With the lack of enthusiasm from politicians and media regarding Fathers Day perhaps International Men's Day can be utilized to highlight the contributions, experiences and health needs of males (including non-fathers, teenagers and boys)?

http://www.internationalmensday.com/

Our boys in particular need to draw hope and inspiration from somewhere

International Men's Day in Australia: http://www.internationalmensday.com/international/australia

Formersnag- "When will these femanazis, acknowledge the steady increase in gay, lesbian, and transgender lifestyle over the last 40 years?"

You don't think this "increase" in people being open about their sexuality has anything to do with the fact that we no longer send gay people to jail or allow them to be legally expelled, sacked, and denied housing, do you?

If homosexuality was a cultural phenomenon, why is it that there are less gay venues operating in Australian cities today than there have ever been (the peak was about 15-20 years ago in Sydney), when more people are being open about their sexuality than ever before? The answer is that homosexuality isn't a lifestyle choice and more and more of us are living the same sorts of lives with the same sorts of values as our heterosexual siblings, neighbours and friends because we're not being rejected by them, and have no desire to live inside a monolithic gay ghetto.

I do hope you're not one of those people who think homosexuality is a choice, because my logic, for someone to rationally believe that they'd have to either be bisexual or asexual.

Instep:”Does this heightened risk of violence against children apply to homosexuals as well as heterosexuals? This seems like a logical question which should be considered in the debate about child adoption.”

From another google search: “What is really gay domestic violence is often recorded in police logs as "mutual combat." If society refuses to acknowledge the relationship, it is impossible to acknowledge the domestic violence.”

But then a child witnessing that is abuse anyway.

It would have to be individual couples that matter in any adoption process (which is the same as me admitting I have no idea what I am talking about). Why are we talking about gay adoption – I just went and read the article… in future I will try and do that before saying anything.

My thoughts about the author’s story of redemption are the same as Houels but probably a tad less scathing. Daydreaming about crashing in to a tree is very different from knowing for sure you would have done it. Looking back and deciding it was a measure of your love for your child is a little odd but what the hell the guy sounds like a nice man.

Corn:”BTW, what sort of a life do you live that you can only find two men to say something kind about on Father's Day...”

Someone has their cranky pants on, S’okay Fractelle I don’t have a list in my head either. Cornflower I want to understand more about the political agenda thing and sexual abuse but maybe not in this thread? I thought it was bit stricter over here with topics?

Suzy:”Instead of this feud between men and women, blaming each other for all the woes of the world, shouldn't we all be in this together to try to fix the problems in families today?”

Yes. And it’s the men’s fault we’re not.

Anti you’re funny; I saw lots of ads for Father’s Day and signs up outside of shops. Huge ones, everywhere. It is a disgrace there is not a Non-Parent Day for those sensible people who chose to flag procreation

Oh oh Anti, you should have watched Better Homes and Gardens on Friday.

My missus and I played a drinking game where whenever they said the word Dad, we had to take a drink. We got Smmaaaaasssshed. Really Trolleyed. You shoulda been there. Although not afterwards, that'd be just weird. Maybe if you were a chick.

Piper,

'Suzy:”Instead of this feud between men and women, blaming each other for all the woes of the world, shouldn't we all be in this together to try to fix the problems in families today?”

Yes. And it’s the men’s fault we’re not.'

I'm jealous I didn't come up with that. Just a nod of respect. Hey is that a secret message to AS?

Ron M,

'It would appear that although this is called on-line opinion, some opinions are more welcome than others'
You're a quick learner.