Antiseptic,
And so say all of us.

Pynchme, "You seem to be itching for an argument - take it up with your mate Antiseptic."

How so? Almost invariably your posts are belligerent and personal and I was simply answering one such that made a snide personal attack on me.

In answering you and realising that you have to date demonstrated no interest in the subject of the thread except to sneer I nonetheless still endeavoured to contribute comment relevant to the thread for others, which you obviously had no intention of doing.

Now would you like to read the first post and address that because like others I would much prefer to further the discussion in the hope of sharing opinion and learning something.

Dear Antiseptic,

Most women that I know don't see themselves
as "victims." On the contrary - they work
full-time, alongside their husbands/partners,
they share family responsibilities, and along
with their partners they lead
happy meaningful lives. I don't believe that
my experience is unique.

Today's society is individualistic and highly
open to change and experimentation, and today,
men and women explore a wide variety of roles,
and choose what suits them. It's a person's
individual human qualities, rather than his or
hers biological sex that should be the primary
measure of that person's worth and achievment.

I actually don't know of anyone who believes
that one sex is inferior to another and that
unequal treatment is therefore justified.

However, I do realize that some men and women
tend to incorporate prevailing stereotypes
about femininity and masculinity into their
self-concepts, and these understandings shape
their personalities and the way they relate to
one another. Hopefully though with education,
and better experiences in their daily contacts,
these things will change for these people, with
time.

It is for that reason that the UN's election of
Iran to its Commission on the Status of Women
is such a good move. The members of a
subordinate stratum tend to accept the ideology
that justifies their low statuses, because they
see the existing arrangements as "natural" and
proper, and don't question them. Marx called this
kind of attitude "false consciousness", a
subjective understanding of one's situation that
doesn't accord with objective facts. As long as
the members of the subordinate stratum (women
in Iran) continue to take the status quo for
granted, it will persist. But if they receive
exposure to other ideas and influences, they may
come to see their situation as socially created -
and unjust besides, they are likely to demand change.

This is precisely what happened in the US in the
early 1960s, when a women's movement arose and
challenged traditional gender roles. The results
were profound, and still reverberate through American
society today.

Cornflower: <"I was simply answering one such that made a snide personal attack on me.">

Here is my post:

<"Antiseptic: <"Oh dear, feeling a bit post-menopausal hon?">

You disagree with Proxy and Cornflower's opinions on this matter yourself - are you post-menopausal?

Which leads me to note that it isn't feminists who are objecting here is it; but Cornflower and Proxy">

What in that do you perceive as a "personal attack" on you Cornflower?
You posted that you are opposed to inclusion of Iran; Antiseptic posted that he was in favour of inclusion.

Suzie posted that she favoured inclusion.

I'm a feminist and I favour inclusion.

If my post was directed at anyone specifically it was at Antiseptic for inconsistency in attacking Suzie when their viewpoints seemed to be in agreement.

If you feel attacked I can't help it; I didn't intend it and apologize if it's caused you grief.

<<It is for that reason that the UN's election of
Iran to its Commission on the Status of Women
is such a good move.>>...Foxy

It's interesting to note that the latest US Watch List For Violating Religious Freedoms includes member countries of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Rated by the 2010 Watch List as "Countries of Particular Concern":
China, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Pakistan
Also making it into the top 25 of the latest Watch List:
Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia

By the same logic, the inclusion of these countries in the UNHRC must also be a very astute move which would be welcomed by all supporters of religious freedom.
It seems a shame that more UNHRC members didn't make it onto the Watch List.
Imagine the progress that could be made.

Foxy:"It's a person's
individual human qualities, rather than his or
hers biological sex that should be the primary
measure of that person's worth and achievment."

So why then, do we have a Sex discrimination Commissioner who can't hear discrimination cases brought by men except in extremely limited situations, such as dismissal for wanting to work part-time? Why do we get a constant barrage of media telling us how badly off women are in australia, despite the evidence to the contrary? why do we have an Office fir the Status of Women in every state and Federally, but not even a single clerk to advocate on behalf of men? Why do we tolerate the 2:1 ration of women to men at university? Why do we allow our boys to be treated as future labourers while our girls are told they can do anything?

I agree with the sentiment you expressed, but I note that every time there is a criticism of the massive redistribution of both financial and social wealth that is being carried out by our nation in favour of women that you are quick to jump to defend it. It seems that you want equality, but not if it means giving up the handouts and the preferment.

The real problem with this whole subject of gender equity is that it is based on a series of lies. Western women are not badly off and have not been for a long time. Western women are not in need of more and more government regulation to make their lives easier. Western women are the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Western men and they ahve ruthlessly milked that goodwill for all they can get. The current policy paradigm is that women are generally disadvantag and in need of greater assistance than men at all aspects of life. It should be embarrassing for competent women.