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Because AM was off-line I spent a little time over in GWS yesterday. I just wanted to show you something. This answer got 12 thumbs up (2 down). Question was posted by Rio : "Do you wear a label of any kind?" (Talking about feminism): My answer: Rio ,

I gave this answer to another question but feel it applies here as well:

I've been doing some serious researching about men's issues, and the reasons behind the emergence of the MRA movement. It hasn't been easy. Came up against a lot of very angry people. And like the feminism movement, there are a few bad apples in the bunch. It took a lot for me to ignore those bad apples (because instinctively I all I wanted to do was defend against their offensiveness.) But thankfully there were many who had the patience to show me what the underlying issues of the men's movement really are. I credit my psychology professor, as well, for giving me a balanced, scholarly approach to these issues. I'm beginning to see just how ignored men's issues really are in today's society. Do I blame feminism? No. But I think it's going to take women AND men understanding the issues (gaining awareness), and uniting with each other to effect changes.

The problem with modern feminism is that it's interests lie only with women, and unfortunately, that leaves about half of the population out in the cold. These aren't the days where we can't vote, can't go to school, can't get access to birth control, can't get jobs. (At least not here in the US ). In this country, feminism has accomplished great things for women. And I for one am grateful to the people that came before me that fought so hard for these rights that we all enjoy. Feminism, however, is not without it's flaws. The biggest flaw being that men have rights, issues, and concerns that need attention, and there's no one out there who's hearing the call. Is this altogether feminism's fault? No. But one cannot deny that the interests of boys and men are not feminists' domain. Until we unite the sexes and fight together for HUMAN rights, there will continue to be conflict about feminism today and into the future. In my psychology and sociology classes I am finding out that white males are new targets of prejudice in the media. Why? Because it's not politically correct to target women or minorities. What's left? Boys are lagging behind now in school. We've worked so hard to give girls a better education and should be proud of our success. But what about the fact that boys are dropping out at record rates, using drugs, going to jail, committing suicide? And what about affirmative action quotas which are taking jobs away from qualified males and causing reverse discrimination, increasing prejudice against women? Feminism isn't flawless. We've achieved much in this century, particularly here in the US . I think it's time to shift the focus to other areas that need it. Is it right that men get heavier jail sentences than women for crimes like murder? Is it right that society views men as dispensable when it comes to child custody hearings? Is it right that men get penalized for being breadwinners (being away from home supporting their families) when it comes to figuring out who gets custody of the kids? Is it right that the courts almost always side with mothers regardless of the situation?
Is it right that people who make false rape allegations are not held accountable in most cases? Is it right that almost zero resources are available to men who are victims of domestic violence? Is it right that there's a harmful myth in our society that men can't be as good at nurturing children as mothers can be? Is it right that men who apply for teaching positions in early childhood education or daycare provider positions are looked at with suspicion and are often not hired? Is it right that more funding goes to women's medical issues (like breast cancer) when men are dying in large numbers from prostate cancer?

Should we continue to ignore the concerns of men?

What we see in this forum are angry men, yes. Some sad men too. And some women who see that feminism in and of itself is not protecting or promoting equal rights for all. If it were, we'd be fighting just as hard for the rights of men and boys as we are for girls and women.

If I'm going to take a label, I'm going to take two labels: feminist and masculist. Never again am I going to see the world through only one perspective. We're all in this together. Human rights are important to me. It's taken me awhile to realize that men have issues, too. And they are no less important than women's issues. So either I will embrace both labels, or no label at all. I can honestly say I am truly an equalist.

• 13 hours ago

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