Ah Suze, but you don't have government campaigns to affirm these prejudices against women like all the ones against men though do you?

It's obviously governmnet policy to treat domestic violence as exclusively a problem of men beating totally blameless women who have never raised a hand in anger or instigated a violent domestic dispute. Just watch the 'Australia Says No' campaign.

It's also governmnet policy to ask my wife if I beat her, along with every other new mother.

All men are under suspicion.

And just which campaigns like White Ribbon Day are women shamed into joining like men are. If you don't sign up for this, well, we know why. Stern look.

BTW: 'deadbeats' is trademarked and copyrighted for use with dads only. There is no precedent of the use of the term 'deadbeat mother', it doesn't even rhyme for goodness sake.

'Sometimes it's hard to be a woman... :)'

Hahaha. The downtrodden martyrs of society I call you lot. Ah, a woman's work is never done.

Men are obsessed with women, and women are obsessed with women. Just for different reasons ;-) Well, except for the gay guys; The truly free men of this world. I think that's why they get bashed; Jealousy. Guilt free sex, free of the 'objectification' slur, no cuddles afterwards, and a life devoted to junk food, sex, beer and sport. Yet they forgo the beer and sport and junk food just to rub it in:-)

Hahaha. I love non-government-supported prejudice.

Ahhh Houlie, the mainly male politicians haven't forgotten their countrymen!

The current campaigns about male depression, suicide, and prostate cancer etc are testament to the mainly male government still batting for the men of Australia.

Why would the mainly male parliament agree to this 'conspiracy' against men, regarding domestic violence? Could it be that prior to this anti-domestic violence campaign, we had even more of a nasty, unspoken-of culture of bashed families behind closed doors than we do now?

Bringing it all out into the open, rather than keeping it 'all in the family', has helped to save countless women and children from a lifetime of violence in their own home.

It has been well worth any hurt pride of the majority of men who would never contemplate violence against anyone.
These men have daughters, nieces and granddaughters who they want to see kept safe, or at least to be aware of where help is available don't they?

Banjo:”The danger is what you fear. That politicians will progress to providing full day care and making it mandatory. If they think that will gain votes then that is what will be promoted.”

So first convince people that is what they believe and want to vote for?

The baby bonus freaked me out early on – there is family assistance (a bonus in itself). I’m sure it made Sanyo, Phillips etc very happy.

Houel you are truly turning into one of the OLO mens club – just cruise into any old thread and make it about feminists. I don’t think there is thread about children or parenting on OLO that hasn’t turned into a gender slinging match.

Houel:”Well, post pregnancy, at the early childhood centre, my wife was asked (matter of routine you'know) whether I hit her and whether she was scared of me. Sure she laughed, but I think I am justified in being offended. Easy for you chicks walking around without a weight of suspicion over you all the time.”

Yep I got asked by new neighbours not long ago... but it’s the DV champs over the back of my house and it just sounds like it is coming from my home. Hubby felt offended. Dunno why because it wasn’t like they knew him. Maybe a thread on the different pressures men and women feel from the world around them might help clear a few things up and maybe you’ll see the men don’t carry more than their share of suspicion.

Suze:”If a woman works outside the home and her kids are in childcare, she is a neglectful and materialistic mother.
If a woman stays home and cares for her kids, she is considered a rich, lazy, and boring mother.”

Nah if a women has her children in childcare she is a caring mother who is doing the best for her child’s development and socialisation needs. Women at home must be the child abusers. Give that a little while to sink in because it is the way everyone will be thinking soon.

Houel:”...I love non-government-supported prejudice.”

Another thread?

'Houel you are truly turning into one of the OLO mens club – just cruise into any old thread and make it about feminists.'

Haha! Thought you'd like that. What do you mean turning into I've always been a card carrying member. Suze always bring it out in me when she talks about sluts like being a called a slut is some kind of horrific insult. Rather be called a slut than be assumed a kiddie fiddler and wife basher. There's also no law against being a slut, so obviously nobody reckons its such a bad thing.

I'm missing anti, and I don't think even Vanna's been around.

Suze,

'It has been well worth any hurt pride of the majority of men who would never contemplate violence against anyone.'

Sounds like you love a good witch hunt.

'These men have daughters, nieces and granddaughters who they want to see kept safe, or at least to be aware of where help is available don't they?'

Well, I have a cricket bat, and I could wield it to protect my daughters. Maybe they should stay out of secret men's business. We have our ways.

I think the world has turned too much in favour of letting the 'authorities' sort out our problems. I'm happier with a world when the police used to ruff up hooligans in the back of the paddy van and use more phone books (maybe the internet stopped that), and when bouncers at the pub used to make people literally bounce down the stairs.

I don't mind being given a slap in the head every now and then, just don't slyly drape suspicion over me all the time. Imagine if the government put out adverts to watch out for black people rather than men. To violence against white people, Australia Says no. Imagine if all doctors were asked to check with each male patient whether their wife nags them or whether their wife is a good mother and whether the kids are scared of her?

Just a little impromptu survey today.

a) How often does your wife smack the children.
b) How hard does she do it?
c) Does she yell a lot?

All for the kiddies of course Suze. You wouldn't be offended of course. Not upset they didn't ask the guy whether he did any of that.

BTW: Elected representatives don't represent their gender, they represent the voting public.

Houel:”I'm missing anti, and I don't think even Vanna's been around.”

Oh I thought Anti was here just a bit more salty and less septic. Vanna I am sure is merely awaiting the right topic to launch on.

Houel:”I think the world has turned too much in favour of letting the 'authorities' sort out our problems. I'm happier with a world when the police used to ruff up hooligans in the back of the paddy van and use more phone books (maybe the internet stopped that), and when bouncers at the pub used to make people literally bounce down the stairs.”

Move to my hood, it seems old school.

But you got me thinking. We let the authorities change too much and it goes from assisting to controlling pretty damn fast. Subsidised childcare was one thing and probably that step too far and maybe all we ever needed them to do was police childcare for us as they would any business.

Oh hey I found out what happens here when you withdraw consent for scripture classes – they ignore you and keep sending your child anyways. Used to be that parents were the ultimate authority, I can see we no longer have that level of control as all organisations and departments decide they know better. Somewhere we started losing charge of our own children.

Teachers can’t cope with any deviations and I’ve watched some weirdly controlling behaviour because lots of little individuals are actually and shockingly still acting like they are not part of some single organism that only moves and makes noise on command. Parents are considered a distraction to be discouraged from participating in their children’s education. Annoys the crap out of me starting at 5 years but now they want to start with our babies.

"Access to a high quality service means kids get a great start in life, and as they go on to school, clearly their performance, as research shows, is far improved."

What bloody performance?