Tag: feminism

Less than 50/50 representation does not automatically imply ‘gender bias’

Although forcing 50/50 representation within organisations via quotas or similar discriminatory measures does …

There is no disputing the fact that relatively few women occupy places in the upper echelons of the corporate world. Feminist ‘wisdom’ would have us believe that this is wrong, and this it is a wrong that must be righted – for example via affirmative action measures such as quotas. Feminists tell us that this wrong is indicative of an unfair workplace environment constructed by men for men, which is holding women back from assuming their rightful places at the boardroom table.

Like many others, I have a problem with this simplistic construct. There are many factors, and more significant factors, contributing to gender imbalance in the workplace other than deliberate bias on the part on males at the apex of the hierarchy. Thus questions such as the following, readily spring to mind:

  • Is it necessarily wrong that women are not represented 50/50 on boards and amongst the ranks of CEO’s? (That is, assuming feminists would even settle for 50/50)
  • Exactly what costs and benefits would be associated with achieving 50/50 representation? and who would incur these costs and receive these benefits?
  • To what extent are the low numbers of women in senior ranks simply reflective of what real women actually want (or don’t want), rather it being a situation that has been forced upon them?
  • To the extent that women are being held back in their chosen career paths, for example because of inflexible workplaces, and to what extent do the very same factors also act as constraints on the careers of men?
  • Are women who achieve positions of high standing in the corporate hierarchy more or less likely than men to help women in the lower ranks of their organisations (i.e. champion/mentor versus Queen Bee)
  • Why are concerns *never* raised about the need for diversity in relation to organisations, boards, etc that are overwhelmingly female in composition?

Is it not wrong, and indicative of sexist bias, that all of the emphasis in this debate is about women achieving leadership positions, with no concern expressed in relation to the small numbers of men working in roles like nursing or teaching. And what about roles that are heavily male-dominated, but are dirty and/or dangerous, like collecting garbage, janitorial roles, mining, the military, etc. How come no mention of quotas being imposed there?

Clearly the feminist lobby and their allies in the media are advancing a very imbalanced position. Yet again and again I see articles advancing this position appearing unchallenged – articles like this one – and I know more people need to speak up about feminist hypocrisy and double standards.

This latest article is entitled ‘YWCA conference addresses gender bias in leadership‘. The main point being made is that because only a minority of business or political leadership roles are held by women, then there is clearly pervasive ‘gender bias’.

Before dissecting the article, let’s first look at the definition of the word ‘bias’:

“An inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair.”

I would propose that there are many reasons why there might be more men (or more women) in a particular career, or company, or industry, and that gender bias is but one of these. I would propose that in Australia, in most cases gender bias is a relatively minor factor – or does not apply at all. I would further propose that to the extent that gender bias is a significant factor then there would be (and in fact, are) situations where men, as well as women, are disadvantaged.

The article begins with “There is a silence in our society when it comes to the continued gender biases that exist in our workplaces.”

Well if you want to hear real silence then consider the issues I raised a few moments ago:

  • the lack of men working in roles like nursing or teaching, and
  • the lack of women in roles that are poorly paid, dirty and/or dangerous, like collecting garbage, janitorial roles, mining, the military, etc.

Who is speaking up about gender bias in these situations? Certainly not the feminist lobby, an ideology that is purportedly all about equality. I’m not seeing any suggestions of quotas being applied to address these imbalances. But maybe I missed that memo.

The article goes on to state:

“Perhaps most alarming is the continuing gender wage gap – women still earn 17.5 per cent less than our male counterparts for the same work, and female graduates can expect to earn $5,000 less per annum than male graduates.

These statistics are real. They demonstrate an attitude and an unconscious gender bias that form a significant barrier to women participating in the workforce.”

Firstly Francis, no, these statistics are not “real”. The kindest descriptor I would offer is ‘misleading’. See my separate posts about the wage gap and about women in the workforce, both of which identify the many contributing variables (other than sex discrimination against women) that lead to the outcomes being considered here.

Secondly, neither the number of women in leadership roles, nor any wage differential that might exist, “demonstrate” bias or a “significant barrier to women participating in the workforce“. Nor do they necessarily even indicate an inequality of opportunity for women.

Take for example, political leadership, where more than 50% of voters are women. Is the author, and others of her ideological inclination, suggesting that women are biased against other women to the extent that election outcomes are heavily influenced.

And then the article asserts that “Workplaces in Australia are not responsive to the needs of women when it comes to balancing both motherhood and their careers.”

Well Francis, don’t you think that one could also say the same thing about men and fatherhood? But then, feminists do have this habit of conveniently overlooking the fact that many of the issues they rail about also negatively impact on men. That being the case, why continue to represent these issues as ammunition in an ‘us versus them’ gender war?

“In Australia, we don’t yet know what a sustained, gender-equal playing field looks like.” but then just a few lines later “The YWCA of Canberra is a supporter of quotas, as they have proven to be successful mechanisms to create a pipeline of young women into leadership roles. Until young women feel empowered to pursue leadership opportunities and have role models to look to, we will continue to be under-represented at the decision-making tables, be they in business, politics, education, or any other sector.”

Aha, so a “level playing field” looks like a place where a group of candidates with superior qualifications and experience are potentially frozen out whilst members of another group are placed in leadership roles … by virtue of having a vagina? It looks like a place where women can only feel “empowered” when assisted by way of privileged intervention (dare I say, bias?). Not infantilising much.

No-one is standing at the head of the queue handing out leadership roles to men. The reality is that anyone who strives for a position of leadership faces significant barriers. It’s not an easy path to take. And then of course there are many men and women who have no interest in taking on a leadership role, or who are simply not prepared to make the necessary compromises in other areas of their lives.

Do some of these hurdles affect proportionately more women more than men? Sure, just as some factors affect proportionately more men than women. Do some women face a proportionately greater barrier in relation to their role as parents than men? Yes, of course. But then there are, for example, women who don’t have children or who have a stay-at-home partner. Just as there are men who are single parents, or married but with a wife who has her own career.

Some of these hurdles to achieving leadership roles are fair and unavoidable, others perhaps less so. Where a hurdle is grossly unfair then by all means address it in an appropriate and targeted manner, but reacting via introducing another unfair barrier (in this case, a gender-based quota) is certainly not my idea of a “level playing-field”.

I would also recommend looking at a web site created by Mike Buchanan called the  ‘Campaign for Merit in Business‘. One of the articles to be found there is http://c4mb.wordpress.com/improving-gender-diversity-on-boards-leads-to-a-decline-in-corporate-performance-the-evidence/

Elsewhere Mike states:
“The government continues to bully FTSE100 companies into achieving 25% female representation on their boards by 2015, through the threat of legislated gender quotas. We know from recent reports that the government is planning to threaten the FTSE350 with 50% gender quotas. Because when you’re paddling downstream in a canoe on the Niagara river, and you start to hear the roar of the waterfalls, you should paddle faster towards them, right?

Good luck with trying to find evidence of a causal link between GDITB (Gender diversity in the boardroom) and enhanced financial performance – the oft-cited ‘business case’. I’ve challenged the government, dozens of organisations pressing for this ‘direction of travel’, and hundreds of individual proponents across the developed world – many of them employed in lucrative jobs allied to this insane ‘direction of travel’ – to provide evidence for a causal link.

None has ever done so. The best they can do is misrepresent a number of studies and reports, all of which make it perfectly that there’s no evidence of causal links, nor can causal links even be implied from the statistics. The following are just a few of the prominent / influential proponents of GDITB who’ve failed to meet our public challenges. They include Vince Cable MP. who leads the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills:

http://c4mb.wordpress.com/our-public-challenges-of-high-profile-proponents-of-improved-gender-diversity-in-boardrooms”

PS: Readers who might be interested in more of a ‘big picture’ perspective on this issue might like to look at these papers dealing with affirmative action, and the concept of ‘gynocentrism‘.

Other related papers that may be of interest include:

Image

Men need not apply – a video by Janice Fiamengo (3 November 2016)

Is BHP discriminating against men? by Bettina Arndt (15 August 2023)

Paris city hall fined for putting too many women in senior roles (16 December 2020)

Men’s leniency towards women at work is fueling the decline of the West (16 November 2020) From the proceedings of ICMI20

Formula One is 88% male and 91% white – that’s not acceptable in 2020 (16 August 2020)

Why Some Women Aren’t Excited About Leadership Positions (17 May 2017)

Jordan Peterson – why few women are in positions of power (3 March 2017) Video

Maybe It’s Time To Redefine What It Means For Women To ‘Have It All’ (21 December 2016)

Richard Marx slams ‘chaotic’ event on flight (21 December 2016) Maybe Korean Air should enforce 50/50 rule for their flight attendants, but of course quotas only ever seem to get applied in relation to under-representation by women.

We need to rethink recruitment for men in primary schools (17 October 2016) Australia. Hold onto your hat! Is this the first ever article in The Conversation providing a positive perspective in relation to supporting men/boys?

Social Work’s Gender Problem (15 September 2016) USA

More men need to be recruited to female-dominated industries, by Libby Lyons, WGEA (14 August 2016)

The Flawed Arguments About Female Discrimination in the Film Industry (3 August 2016)

Melbourne University advertises female-only jobs in bid to remedy gender imbalance in maths (18 May 2016) Related Reddit discussion thread here, and critical response from Janet Bloomfield below:

Positive discrimination will have exactly the opposite effect you hope for, Melbourne University. Smarten up (18 May 2016)

Do women really want equality? by Nikita Coulombe (12 May 2016) USA

Do They Stay or Do They Go? The Switching Decisions of Individuals Who Enter Gender Atypical College Majors (May 2016)

“Men who enter a female-dominated major are significantly more likely to switch majors than their male peers in other majors. By contrast, women in male-dominated fields are not more likely to switch fields compared to their female peers in other fields.”

Study Shows Gender Inequality Not Responsible for Girls Not Choosing STEM Field (26 April 2016) USA

Where are all the women? Senior APS ranks maintain male majority (11 April 2016) Not content that “The vast majority of rank-and-file public servants are women”, the author presumably wants to see the same imbalance reflected in the most senior (and well-remunerated) level of the public service.

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate: Men (March 2016) USA statistics showing decline in male employment 1950-2016

In the Name of Diversity, You Must Conform! (21 March 2016)

Novak Djokovic questions equal prize money in tennis (21 March 2016) Men also play more sets than women. Plus different climate standards apply to men, who must continue playing in higher temperatures.

Laura Perrins: Feminists have lowered the status of women (14 March 2016) UK

I’m so bored of women having to be on board (11 March 2016) Australia

The Great Diversity Scam (10 March 2016)

Nearly 300 women apply for MFB firefighter jobs (4 March 2016) Australia

The two articles that follow highlight the ‘one-way street’ nature of feminist demands and expectations in relation to diversity and representation. Mostly men = a big problem … mostly women = sound of crickets chirping

Juliet Bourke on the secret of harnessing diverse teams and More women on boards helps to narrow gender pay gap (2 March 2016)

Tasmania’s top public servant targets gender parity (17 February 2016) With 70% of the state’s public service being female, will Greg Johannes also be writing to heads of agencies with >50% female staff to ask them to recruit more male staff? Gee, I really, really doubt it.

Now that women potentially face the draft – it appears everyone is against women in combat roles (17 December 2015) USA and related reddit discussion thread

The ten deadliest jobs in America. Oh look, it’s all men (7 December 2015) Reddit discussion thread and linked article

Gender equality vital to securing our digital future (1 December 2015)

Why this year has been all about women speaking out on gender equality (27 November 2015)

FF candidate to challenge gender quota law (7 November 2015) Ireland

Men will have to lose jobs to make way for gender equality: Transfield’s Diane Smith-Gander (13 October 2015)

Gallup: Majority of Women with Kids ‘Prefer Homemaking Role’ (8 October 2015)

US women fall behind in jobs market (11 October 2015) and related reddit discussion thread here

100 Years Before Women Reach Equality in Top Jobs, Study Claims (2 October 2015) See the reader’s comments – most are heartily sick of the feminist perspective on this subject

Don’t panic: A male midwife’s guide for dads-to-be (23 September 2015)

Compared to Men, Women View Professional Advancement as Equally Attainable, but Less Desirable (12 August 2015)

Women-in-tech events are anti-male, say men’s rights activists (12 August 2015)

The problem with merit-based appointments? They’re not free from gender bias either (30 July 2015) Amongst other omissions this paper conveniently ignores the fact that men aren’t always the beneficiaries of bias, nor women always the victims.

The case for quotas in politics: the absence of women isn’t merit-based (30 July 2015) Argues the case for the introduction/expansion of gender quotas

New study into lack of women in Tech: It’s NOT the men’s fault. It’s just simple mathematics, apparently (27 July 2015) and related reddit discussion thread

14 Facts the Tanking ‘Women in Tech’ Movement Doesn’t Want You to Know (19 July 2015)

More Men Than Women Watch Women’s Soccer, While Women Prefer Male Sports (9 July 2015)

Women stop trying to get to the top after just TWO years because they are turned off by having to sacrifice it all (28 May 2015)

The Myth about Women in Science (13 April 2015)

Sexist Canadian “Feminists” Call Others Sexist (8 April 2015)

Women guaranteed at least 50% of jobs on Victorian government boards (28 March 2015) and related reddit mensrights discussion thread

Gender quotas key to curbing pay inequality: Queensland Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman (9 March 2015) Here is some related discussion in the ABC’s Facebook page

More US women not in paid employment now than ever before (6 March 2015) and related reddit mensrights discussion thread

We need women on boards for many reasons: ethics isn’t one (20 February 2015)

Gender Quotas in Hiring Drive Away Both Women and Men (16 October 2014)

Want to pretend you’re a feminist but do nothing? Talk about women on boards (13 February 2015)

Ginsburg: Will Be Enough Women on SCOTUS When They’re All Women (5 February 2015)

Where are the female tradies? (28 January 2015) A feminist perspective on the issue

Quotas on the nose: that’s the view from male Australian CEOs (7 January 2015)

The problem with “We need more women in -“ (20 December 2014)

Former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit slams Government for helping women ‘leave their children at home and go out to work’ (27 November 2014)

“Lord Tebbit asked her: ‘Do you not think it is strange that when these gender gap questions come up there is always a call for more women ambassadors, or generals or air marshals or something? ‘There is never a call for more women to be plumbers or electricians or jobs like that.'”

Gail Kelly’s Margaret Thatcher-style executive team (25 November 2014) The bank with the least number of women directly reporting to the chief executive is the only bank with a woman at the top

Interstellar patriarchy: Protecting women everywhere from shirts! (13 November 2014)

This discussion thread in an Australian web site called ‘The Conversation‘ concerns a suggestion that men are being preferentially treated due to their alleged greater self-confidence. Both myself and others contributed comments that questioned the feminist perspective being put forward, and our posts were later removed.  The moderators also closed the thread to further comments. As is usually the case, there was absolutely nothing offensive or threatening about the material removed. Ideological censorship pure and simple.

Feminist myths and magic medicine by Catherine Hakim

Where feminism went wrong by Janet Bloomfield

How feminist propaganda is destroying men’s lives (2 January 2015)

When the best person for the job has nothing to do with gender (20 October 2014) Australia

How to get more women into STEM fields: One college’s approach (August 2014 reddit discussion thread)

Why are there so many women in public relations? (8 August 2014)

Verizon’s ‘Inspire her Mind’ ad and the facts they didn’t tell you (21 July 2014)

British Labour Party enforces women-only candidate short-lists (4 July 2014)

The real reason there are not more female scientists (Youtube video)

Get women on the board (3 June 2014)

Percentage of bachelor’s degrees conferred on women, by major (Discussion thread on reddit)

Workplace inequality: When one side has an escape hatch (16 June 2014)

http://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_sandberg_why_we_have_too_few_women_leaders.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/us/sheryl-sandberg-lean-in-author-hopes-to-spur-movement.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/why-so-few-women-reach-the-executive-rank/

http://blogs.hbr.org/2009/12/women-ceo-why-so-few/

http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/03/bystanders-to-the-sandberg-mayer-mommy-wars.html

http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/28/women-in-tech-stop-blaming-me/

http://www.smh.com.au/business/some-men-fear-competing-with-women-20131025-2w5i8.html#ixzz2iuvoQgpS

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2014/03/hierarchical-differences/

‘Why women are leaving the workforce in record numbers‘ (17 April 2013)

http://www.ceda.com.au/media/310731/cedawiljune%202013final.pdf (A fairly comprehensive coverage of the topic albeit purely from the perspective of a feminist idealogue)

Women in STEM sole focus of gender imbalance debate‘ (24 April 2014)

Businessmen love to talk women in leadership, until you mention the Q word (15 April 2014) Feminist journo talking up gender quotas

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-nature-nurture-nietzsche-blog/201310/where-are-all-the-women

http://themattwalshblog.com/2014/01/26/stay-at-home-moms-you-dont-owe-the-world-an-explanation/

Standing tough: Maureen Joanne Sabia on achieving success (4 June 2014)

What can men do? (25 April 2014) An article written by a White Knight about the gender imbalance in the IT (coding) sector, that also has some interesting readers comments.

Only two of 3100 women army soldiers join infantry in military frontline (4 June 2014)

By the way, men want more flexibility in the workplace too

Report cites bias against women in drug rackets

Is ‘Opting Out’ the new American dream for working women? (12 September 2012) Related reddit mensrights discussion thread here

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26828726 (Hand wringing over the fact that >90% of editors on Wikipedia are male, with some interesting comments contributed by readers)

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2014/04/22/neil-degrasse-tyson-has-a-point-but-larry-summers-is-still-right/?WT.mc_id=SA_sharetool_Twitter

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/women-dont-want-to-have-it-all-anymore/story-fnet085v-1226848285611

Do Any Women Work at the Dirty, Difficult and Dangerous Jobs that Men Do? Any Women At All? (7 August 2012)

http://phys.org/news/2011-11-men-honest-overconfidence-male-domination.html (as cited in http://priceonomics.com/the-babysitting-gender-gap/)

http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/where-oh-where-are-all-female-guests

Other related posts within this blog include:

We’ve set a target of having 10% of our senior management team female by 2017

On affirmative action and the imposition of gender quotas

Companies with women at the helm perform better (so they say)

diversity

Finessing definitions to preserve the image of female victimhood

(NB: The following post is intended as a companion piece to Fudging the figures to support the feminist narrative)

Consider this scenario:

1. Feminist ideologues use either patently false statistical ‘information’ or misrepresent genuine statistical sources to make a case is support of one or more aspects of the feminist narrative. Alternatively, feminists resist efforts to correct outdated and/or unrepresentative methods of data collection in the knowledge that enhancements to data collection would work against their inbuilt bias.

2. Feminists get ‘called out’ enough times – in public and by suitably authoritative sources – to feel the need to manipulate data collection and/or presentation in order to continue to present a version of reality which reinforces rather than undermines the feminist narrative. Because remember, a lessening incidence of rape (or domestic violence/online harassment/workplace harassment/etc) not only undermines the credibility of the feminist narrative, but also weakens the case for feminist groups to receive additional government funding.

Question: What do you do when available statistics don’t support the image of men as empowered aggressors and women as powerless victims, that is carefully cultivated by the feminist movement?

Answer: You change the rules and/or move the goal posts.

And so a favored strategy is to raise the bar as to what constitutes victimization of men, whilst lowering the bar in relation to women. Thus the position that men cannot be raped, or (begrudgingly) they can but only if penetrated by an object. For women however, a sideways glance or accidentally brushing past someone in a crowded bus equals sexual assault.

The case of domestic violence: Early domestic violence definitions focussed on physical violence, and feminists run hard up against two problems here. The first problem is that the incidence of violent crime in western countries has, overall, been decreasing in recent decades. (Though paradoxically, violence by females is actually increasing). This makes it potentially awkward for feminists to continuing using terms like “a growing epidemic of violence against women“). The second problem for feminists is the increasing availability of independent unbiased research which has consistently found that there are as many female as male aggressors using the physical violence criteria. Gender parity in domestic violence undermines the feminist perspective. Whatever can we do?

  • Broaden the discussion of DV to include sexual violence, including sexual violence towards children (but being careful to exclude non-sexual abuse and neglect of children, because oops, that’s mostly perpetrated by women), and
  • place greater emphasis on criteria other than physical violence, such as psychological abuse, threats to withhold affection or sexual activity, or perceived motivations for aggressing.

A ‘good’ example of this is the section of IPV within the ‘Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health’:

“Forty-five percent of women aged 18 to 23 reported some form of IPV, with 12% reporting one form of abuse, 8% reporting two different forms of abuse and 25% reporting three or more forms of abuse. The most common forms of IPV were being told they were ugly, stupid or crazy (28%), being harassed over the telephone, email, Facebook or internet (25%), and their partner trying to keep them from seeing or talking to friends or relatives (18%).” (Source) Clearly casting the net very wide to capture more ‘victims’, with this effect being accentuated through the use of very subjective criteria.

In another example, I was reading this article and noticed for the first time the use of the term “implied domestic violence“. I then googled on the term seeking background and/or a definition, and came across this:

“Credible threat, according to this new law, means a verbal or written threat, or a threat implied by a pattern of conduct made with the intent and the apparent ability to carry out the threat, so as to cause the person who is the target of the threat to reasonably fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her family.” (Source)

The muddier the water the better, for intangible and subjective criteria makes future correction/undermining of data more difficult. We’ll have those silly MRA running around in circles for years trying to prove we are wrong.

Voila! Data adjusted on the basis of newly revised definitions of domestic violence magically skews the role of aggressors very firmly back towards men. Yay feminism!

See also:

Multiple research studies have shown that women are more likely than men to want to censor data that show certain sex differences (21 October 2025) Twitter discussion thread by James L Nuzzo

More than 1 in 5 Australians have perpetrated an act of sexual violence, survey reveals (10 July 2024) Refer for example to “The most common form of this was pressuring someone for a date or sex (3.8 per cent)”

Lies, damned lies, and STEM statistics (2 March 2019)

Trump administration ‘rolling back women’s rights by 50 years’ by changing definitions of domestic violence and sexual assault (24 January 2019). See related tweet here.

‘Understanding domestic abusers’ (undated) from the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. See “responsive violence”. Sure women are violent but only in order to “attempt to forestall attack, defend self and others, or control the situation”

Feminists are the new mafia (24 January 2017) Video

“many of he crimes [women] fall victim to are the result of broadened definitions of things like rape & DV”

More than one in three victims of domestic abuse are now men (10 December 2016) UK. Refer comments by Polly Neate

The Future of Domestic Violence Prevention (1 November 2016)

Vera Baird has now posted a second sexist hate poster on her police force’s Facebook page (26 December 2015) UK

Domestic Violence is not on the rise (16 December 2015)

New domestic abuse law on controlling behaviour unveiled (18 December 2014)

A flood of DV insanity and doublespeak (4 December 2014)

Bullying husbands who shout at their wives could be found guilty of domestic abuse under new crackdown (24 November 2014)

http://reason.com/blog/2014/03/27/domestic-violence-defined-supreme-court

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/14vymr/disabusing_the_definition_of_domestic_abuse_how/

The case of sexual assault: Feminists are active on at least two fronts here to build on, or at least to maintain, the current status quo:

1. With regards to the sexual assault of women they are continually seeking to stretch the boundaries of what constitutes sexual assault in order to artificially ramp up the perceived incidence of this crime in the face of declining perpetration. Google on “stare rape” as an example of how ridiculous their assertions can be.

rapes_down

rape_stats

2. With regards to the sexual assault of men, feminists are resisting the efforts of men’s rights activists to ensure that official statistics include the many men/boys raped in jail (by both men and women) and to ensure that male rape statistics include incidents of acts currently designated as ‘forced envelopment’ or ‘made to penetrate’ rather than as rape. They do so, at least in part, because they know that if rape was defined as all ‘forced/unwanted intimate sexual activity’, then there would be gender parity. Again, to preserve the image of female victimhood, feminists must ensure that the definition of rape remains limited to sexual activity involving ‘forced penetration’ (i.e. excluding ‘forced envelopment’ or ‘made to penetrate’).

Another relevant aspect of this debate is that many feminists simply don’t recognise that men can be raped, it being their view that ‘men always want it’. Some women also incorrectly believe that the very fact that a man has an erection (necessary for vaginal penetration) is proof of his consent.

Scroll down to see the definition of ‘sexual violence’ on this page. It includes  “withholding sex and affection” yet how many times have I read in feminist web sites that men are never “entitled” to sex from their partner? Double-standard much?

Mary P. Koss considers it “inappropriate” to consider men who have been raped by women as rape victims, and prefers to call it “unwanted contact” instead. See related reddit discussion thread here (27 December 2015) USA

marykoss

FBI: Violent crime drops, reaches 1970’s level (10 November 2014)

Erasing male rape victims (15 September 2014)

More at University of Michigan: Withholding sex, Discounting feelings are ‘Sexual Violence’ (25 September 2014)

Do the math: rape stats don’t add up (26 September 2014)

The CDC’s rape numbers are misleading (17 September 2014)

The CDC updated its sexual violence figures – still does not include “made to penetrate” in its definition (5 September 2014)

NISVS 2011 released – Increased male victimisation (9 September 2014)

40% of rapists are women (19 October 2013)

How official rape statistics are distorted and inflated, by Angry Harry (August 2014)

See http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/search?q=cdc+definition+rape&restrict_sr=on which includes threads such as:

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/225npz/cdc_is_caught_in_a_lie/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1l11h4/this_constitutes_for_feminist_logic whichal_refutation/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1xcrov/attempted_rape_rape_but_only_if_a_girl_is_the/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/271wqo/in_2010_half_of_all_sexual_violence_victims_were/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1btu0n/cdcs_response_to_whether_they_will_categorize/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/27ubzy/upon_closer_examination_strange_data_emerges_from/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/29s2ki/in_uk_law_female_rape_does_not_exist_its_a/

http://www.avoiceformen.com/sexual-politics/evo-psych/manufacturing-female-victimhood-and-marginalizing-vulnerable-men/

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/legitimate-rape-advocacy-and-censorship/ (24 March 2013)

Child custody: “As detailed in John Hirst’s groundbreaking 2005 Quarterly Essay, Kangaroo Court: Family Law in Australia, the legal tactic employed was to make false accusations of child sexual assault against the father. Based on unproven allegations of abuse, the Family Court would decide that a child could be at risk of harm and withdraw the father’s limited access visits.”

The situation for fathers subsequently improved due to family law reforms introduced by the Howard Government. Women’s groups, with the help of sympathetic lawyers and academics, then began lobbying the subsequent (labor) government to water down the earlier reforms. They complained that women and children were being forced to have contact with violent and abusive fathers. At least six reviews were commissioned to prove this “fact”, yet none of the subsequent reports contained evidence that shared parenting was exposing women and children to harm.

“The Gillard government has got around this by deciding to redefine family violence. The Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011 has expanded the definition to include psychological harm, financial abuse and other threatening behaviour that controls, coerces or causes fear. Significantly, the government has ruled out requiring that fear of family violence be “reasonable”.

Based on past experience in the Family Court, the expanded definition will create a new and open-ended legal means by which good fathers are banished from the lives of their children. There also no longer will be any penalty (no cost orders) for knowingly making false allegations, and the friendly parent provisions, requiring parents to be supportive of each other’s role in their children’s lives, will be substantially diminished.” (Source)

The case of workplace harassment

See ‘A Man Is Out Of A Job (And Much More) Over This Innocuous Crap‘ by Amy Alkon (16 February 2015)

References that further demonstrate the above points can also be found in the my blog posts on the relevant topics (links provided below), and when I get a moment I will extract them and add them into this post.

Domestic violence is not a gendered issue – Why the pervasive sexist bias against men?

On sexual assault and unwanted sex and On the feminist myth of ‘rape culture’

Feminist efforts to shut down, disrupt and/or denigrate the 2014 Conference on Mens Issues

I was initially going to address this issue within my existing post on feminist censorship of non-feminist viewpoints, but the first International conference on Men’s Issues grew in significance such that it well and truly warranted its own blog post. The conference concluded, happily without incident, on 28 June 2014. Here is an overview of the conference which contains links to several presentations, and here are further links to other papers presented at the conference.

Feminist activism designed to stop the conference being held was clearly unsuccessful – this included street marches, online petitions and direct approaches to relevant authorities, and even anonymous threats of violence. These threats ultimately led to the conference being relocated to another venue under unusual circumstances as is described in this article.

Here is a Youtube video that was made to support a fund-raising drive needed to cover additional costs resulting from threats made to the venue hotel.

Protest Saturday: Misogynistic conference in Detroit (6 June 2014) Remarkably inaccurate and biased article by feminist blogger and here is the comment contributed by an MRA which will never be published (as is common practice with feminist web pages)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/a-voice-for-men/threats-of-violence-and-death-against-doubletree-hilton-in-detroit-over-mens-conference/

http://judgybitch.com/2014/05/29/oh-look-trigger-happy-protesters-are-planning-to-shut-down-the-detroit-conference-promising-things-could-get-ugly/

Controversial mens rights conference sparks backlash (29 May 2014)

http://www.avoiceformalestudents.com/letter-to-emma-howland-bolton-regarding-threats-of-violence-and-death-by-protesters-under-her-organization-mason-elementary/

Feminist blog post outlining her reasons for wanting the conference cancelled

Mens rights misrepresented – A letter to the Editor (10 June 2014)

Controversial men’s rights conference canceled at Double Tree in downtown Detroit (11 June 2014) There were 658 comments when I read the article – and some good ones amongst them too.

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/28u8v3/just_lol_among_their_efforts_to_shut_down_avfm/ (reddit discussion thread with link to a pro-feminist web site discussing the conference)

Reddit discussion about feminist change in tactics in relation to the conference … Giving the threat of violence as a reason to stay away is absurd – ALL of the intimidation that has occurred at prior MRA events has been carried out by feminists.

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/feminist-censorship/what-those-who-oppose-our-conference-look-like/ (refer in particular to readers comments)

Well, as it transpired, thankfully there were no feminist protesters present at the Conference and it was by all accounts a peaceful and productive event.

Media coverage of the conference

Media coverage of the conference covered a spectrum from supportive and thoughtful to shallow, dismissive and side-tracking. Many of the articles attracted many hundreds of readers comments, hence even the articles with a strong anti-MRA bias provided a useful function of encouraging debate.

Here are some of the more negative articles:

http://blogs.metrotimes.com/news-blawg/molested-mens-rights-conference/

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/29/sparsely-attended-mens-rights-soiree-arrives-at-source-of-their-problems-hint-its-women/

http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2014/06/28/the-first-international-conference-on-mens-issues-day-1/ and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arthur-goldwag/mens-issues-conference_b_5543418.html by feminist bigot Arthur Goldwag … but the comments by readers are worthy of review. A rebuttal of Goldwag’s Huffington Post article can be seen here

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mens-rights-conference-feminism

http://www.msnbc.com/now-with-alex-wagner/watch/an-international-conference-on-men-s-rights–296068675959

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/29w5tq/should_i_be_concerned_some_recent_media_attention/

Men’s rights activists, gathering to discuss all the ways society has done them wrong by Monica Hesse (30 June 2014) With more than 1300 comments as of 3 July 2014

http://www.refinery29.com/2014/07/70393/mra-mens-rights-conference?unique_id=entry_70393#comment-1464508103 by Kelsey Miller (1 July 2014) This blog post has already attracted 900 comments as of 3 July – and I would recommend having a look at these as many good points are being raised therein.

What I learned as a woman at a Men’s Rights Conference by Jessica Roy (2 July 2014) *You can read a rebuttal of Roy’s article here*

As you will see, in each of the above cases, large numbers of men and women have posted comments pointing out the negativity, bias and hypocrisy shown by the authors. Indeed there are some very thoughtful and insightful comments amongst these – recommended reading!

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/11/mens_rights_groups_sad_reality_behind_the_doors_of_a_depressing_confab/

http://fusion.net/culture/story/mens-rights-activists-fight-feminist-oppressors-831312 (1 July 2014)

https://www.tytnetwork.com/2014/07/04/the-insane-things-said-at-the-1st-annual-mens-rights-conference/ (4 July 2014)

Why ‘Men’s Rights Activists’ Are the Worst People to Advocate for Men’s Rights (10 July 2014)

Here are some of the more positive articles:

‘A kinder, gentler turn to the gender wars‘ (29 June 2014)

‘What’s next for the gender wars‘ (3 July 2014)

The Secret Agenda of the Men’s Rights Movement Exposed (6 July 2014)

NCFM Vice President responds to criticism about MRA’s and the AVfM conference in Detroit (25 July 2014) See http://www.avoiceformen.com/mens-rights/ncfm-vice-president-responds-to-criticism-about-mras-and-the-avfm-conference-in-detroit/

… plus a positive blog post at http://blog.studiobrule.com/2014/06/international-conference-on-mens-issues.html

And some further observations from an MHRA about the nature of media coverage the event attracted

‘Conference reflections: A young woman becomes an MRA‘ (23 July 2014)

Finally, ‘Is this the best they can do?” (25 February 2015)

The Elliot Rodger tragedy co-opted as a feminist bandwagon

Hard on the heels of the media coverage of the “#bringbackourgirls” issue, a young maniac called Elliot Rodger runs amok in southern California.

Feminists pounced on this terrible tragedy with unseemly haste and used it as a vehicle to further their narrative, despite the fact that more males than females were killed and injured. Here is an example of what was written, an article by hard-line feminist Laurie Penny that began with:

“For some time now, misogynist extremism has been excused, as all acts of terrorism committed by white men are excused, as an aberration, as the work of random loons, not real men at all. Why are we denying the existence of a pattern?”

The Isla Vista shooting rampage spurred the #yesallwomen hashtag on Twitter, and with it a further substantial outpouring of anti-male sentiment.

Many media articles incorrectly linked Elliot Rodger and/or his actions, either directly or at least indirectly with the Mens Rights movement – see here and here for example.

The issue has been comprehensively addressed in a number of articles and discussion threads on reddit/mensrights:

SYABM blog post about mental illness (10 August 2014)

Feminists upset after #yesallwomen wiki page edited for accuracy (16 June 2014)

http://blog.honeybadgerbrigade.com/uncategorized/feminist-media-bias-or-how-man-boobz-caused-a-media-circus/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/26mcqm/why_am_i_being_compared_to_a_mentally_ill/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/26n1fp/feminists_highjack_what_should_be_a_mental_health/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/26lzij/barbara_kay_elliot_rodgers_horrible_acts_coopted/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/26p62w/dear_god_did_this_actually_happen_i_may_weep_with/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/26ozoh/proof_that_elliot_rodger_hates_men/

http://twitchy.com/2014/05/25/perfect-example-of-male-entitlement-pro-feminist-supporters-of-yesallwomen-angry-about-yesallpeople/?utm_source=autotweet&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=twitter

http://disneyvillainsforjustice.tumblr.com/post/86899989015/to-tragedy-exploiting-feminists

I think we should stop giving these mass-murderers exactly what they want (25 May 2014)

The ten most asinine things about #YesAllWomen (28 May 2014)

The USCB solipsists (1 June 2014)

Having a penis doesn’t equal misogyny (5 June 2014)

#YesAllWomen reveals the constant barrage of sexism that all women face (29 May 2014)

Elliot Rodger, the MRM and the Detroit conference A Youtube video by Karen Straughan (4 June 2014)

#YesAllWomen: Facts the media didn’t tell you (The ‘Factual Feminist’ on You Tube)

Postscript 5 December 2021: The grotesque politicization of the Montreal massacre (Youtube video)

Postscript August 2019: Refer ‘To learn about the Far Right, start with the ‘Manosphere’. The sexist world has become a recruiting ground for potential mass shooters’ (7 August 2019)

Postscript March 2015: Since the Elliot Rodger rampage there have been several more instances of feminists blaming tragedies on men and/or men’s rights activists. The latest example is the Germanwings mass-murder/suicide. Here is the response of men’s rights advocates to two subsequent feminist offerings to the media:

David Futrelle redefines the word ‘sick motherfxxxxxx’

German radical feminist Ines Pohl hijacks discussion about crashed flight Germanwings 4U9525, cries misogony as “victims are mostly women, perpetrators are men”, calls for women’s quota for the cockpit

Postscript July 2016: The same theme is still being promoted via several oddly similar articles: ‘What mass killers really have in common’, by Rebecca Traister (17 July 2016), ‘One group is responsible for America’s culture of violence, and it isn’t cops, black Americans, Muslims or rednecks. It’s men‘, by Melissa Batchelor Warnke, and ‘It’s not Muslims or people with mental health problems who are most likely to kill you in a terrorist attack – it’s men‘, by Janey Stephenson (28 July 2016)

Postscript January 2017: Elliot wasn’t an MRA but this nutter WAS a feminist. And here’s another let’s-demonise-the-young-white-man (whilst ignoring all other elements of the problem) article:

From Quebec to Melbourne, we need to stop ignoring the radicalisation of white men (2 February 2017)

Opinion: The lesson of Parkland? Fatherhood matters, by Warren Farrell (14 February 2019)

elliotrodger

Regarding gender reversal and sexist double-standards

The Men’s Rights forum on reddit.com makes for great reading if you want to get a quick handle on gender issues from a non-feminist perspective. The forum often features discussion threads that exemplify the frequently outrageous double-standards disseminated by the feminist movement and mainstream media alike.

Here’s a selection of alternative scenarios wherein which one might do well to flip genders and re-assess the situation …

It’s our right as women to ogle Olympic hunks: We’ve been reduced to sex symbols for decades, men can’t complain now: Sally Jones (7 August 2024) But it’s different for feminists. Yeah, right

Australian men have the 43rd biggest penises in the world, new survey suggests (19 April 2022) And no, I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for an equivalent article aimed at female readers. Another pathetic effort from news.com.au 

Before you laugh, imagine it happened to a woman (4 October 2020)

Calling Brett Sutton a ‘CHOttie’ is not objectification – but it’s not feminism either (11 August 2020)

Man arrested while trying to avoid having sex with girlfriend (19 July 2019) USA

Feminist MP Layla Moran admits to being the latest female perpetrator of domestic violence in Parliament (24 March 2019) UK. And now I’d recommend scanning a relevant Twitter feed, after looking at these comments by Ally Fogg.

So when is an advert NOT sexist? When there’s a man in it. Watchdog clears TV commercial of man stripping despite 120 complaints… but poster of female tennis player’s thigh – which sparked one objection – is banned (7 February 2018) UK. And here’s a link to a related tweet by Peter Lloyd

BBC berates male domestic violence victim for speaking out – names sexist bursary scheme in honour of his abuser (28 November 2017)

MMA fighter outright refuses to pose with ring girl following harassment claim (26 November 2018)

Racy ad campaign featuring naked men called out for being ‘sexist’ (15 October 2017)

New Data Reveals Fat Women Don’t Like Fat Men And They Demand You Be OK With It (9 October 2017)

5 Proven Reasons There’s Merit In Sticking It To Your Ex (11 August 2017)

Rape juries to hear more about men’s sexual history to increase chance of conviction (8 August 2017)

Jack Wilson’s budgie smugglers almost eclipsed the Ninja Warrior finale (26 July 2017)

Cristiano Ronaldo in underwear goes viral faster: #RonaldoFaster Commercial (11 July 2017) Imagine if this was a female athlete?

New low for UK national newspaper ‘The Independent’, as headline explains away a BBC paedophile abusing a CHILD as her “performing a sex act on a young MAN because it was EMPOWERING to her”. Feminist bias and hypocrisy over abuse reporting is worst I’ve ever seen (3 June 2017) Reddit discussion thread here.

‘Body shaming’ Playboy model Dani Mathers says her privacy was invaded along with her victim’s (1 June 2017) Now reverse the genders. Imagine the howls if a male perpetrator got slap on the wrist punishment and then complained about the invasion of his privacy!

Barbara Kay: No consequences for women who “stealth” men (12 May 2017)

Can you imagine the furore if genders were switched with this news.com.au story about female sex-tourists enjoying the skills of male Balinese prostitutes?

Facebook investigating Bad Girls Advice following claims its breaches Community Standards (27 April 2017)

It’s OK to fat-shame as long as the target is male (10 March 2017) UK

Basketball team blasted for ‘sexist’ poster showing close up of woman’s exposed breasts (7 March 2017)

“The club also released a picture of a topless male model, complete with sixpack, for the big match — but it was the women’s poster which did not escape the wrath of social media.” Because … and despite …

Emma Watson on Vanity Fair cover: ‘Feminism is about giving women choice’ (6 March 2017)

The following is “Proudly supported by the Australian Government” through “The Australian Council for the Arts” (21 February 2017) Reddit discussion thread and linked resources. Can you imagine the uproar if this was written about white women? How quickly the relevant gov’t agency would distance themselves from the author?

All-male singing group subject to protests whilst all-female singing group at same Uni, not so much (14 February 2017)

‘Elephant donger’: I’m A Celeb girl talk turns filthy over Kris Smith (31 January 2017) Care for some casual objectification of men?

Women kicking balls? I’d like to see that (22 January 2017) a new TV ad campaign to support women’s sport. Good goal, poorly executed … let’s continue making light of female violence. And in terms of gender-reversal … ‘Men grabbing pussy? I’d like to see that‘ saw unending scorn being poured forth upon Donald Trump … and switching genders doesn’t make it suddenly funny.

Comment about female sports reporters in male changing rooms (21 December 2016)

Nova 100 radio & Chrissie Swan celebrates the severing of a man’s penis (26 November 2016)

Wilderness School girls under fire for ‘hook-up wall’ of boys, who claim a double standard of sexual objectification (11 November 2016) with related Reddit discussion thread here.

The Acceptable Bigotry of Michelle Obama (October 2016)

Perth man says he won’t date women who are ‘over 30 and overweight’ (5 October 2016) Article neglects to mention that women cut off men as abruptly as this (due to some perceived deficiency re: money/career/height/car/etc) every  single day. The difference is man complains about getting rebuffed = loser/creep, whereas woman complains about getting rebuffed = victim/hero. Related Reddit discussion thread here.

Domestic violence double standards – male MP was forced to stand down when cautioned for assaulting partner yet Sarah Champion receives support for same crime (26 September 2016) UK. More on that issue here and here.

‘I’m tired of being ashamed of my micro-penis‘ (25 September 2016) And no, I don’t anticipate a companion piece about a woman with an extremely loose vagina because it’s only OK to objectify/demean men with click-bait rubbish like this.

10 years jail versus no jail: Guess which sex-offender was female?

There’s nothing shameful about this body (9 September 2016) Goodlooking guys have no right to feel objectified (only women can do that)

Feminist MP who sought suspension of Philip Davies for “sexism” attended gender segregated rally & was elected via all-women shortlist (16 August 2016)

Journalists have used the 2016 Olympics in Rio as as opportunity to yet again demonstrate how objectification of men is OK, whilst simultaneously ranting about alleged objectification of female athletes:

Apparently NBC allows its female hosts to fondle topless athletes on live TV (8 August 2016) Again, anyone remember the Chris Gayle incident in Australia? I’m surprised this incident didn’t make it into Cosmopolitan‘s ‘Most Sexist Moments of the 2016 Olympics‘. No, I’m not, because you can’t be sexist towards men, right?

36 of the Greatest Summer Olympic Bulges (3 August 2016) Cosmopolitan provides this classic display of sexist double-standards, after previously publishing an article entitled ‘Confirmed: Why men who objectify women are effing horrible‘. In a subsequent article the author makes a weak attempt at justifying publication of the earlier article. And here’s Cosmo at it again a couple of weeks later.

Reader’s comment: “It’s all very simple. Admiring female beauty is wrong. Admiring male physiques is right. When you replace ‘objectification’ with ‘admire’, you illustrate how moronic the concept is. I have asked feminists the difference between objectification and admiration, and the answer is some purported subtle difference in attitude in the mind of the beholder. Rather conveniently, only a feminist can tease this difference out, like a French pig sniffing for truffles.” (Source).

This feminist takes the classic perspective that it’s different for women to objectify men because women don’t abuse or assault men, etc. See related Reddit discussion thread here.

Another magazine, The Berry, followed Cosmo’s lead. See related Reddit discussion here. Oh, and here comes pro-feminist news.com.au’s equally tasteless and hypocritical contribution entitled ‘We need to talk about the men’s rowing uniform’

Man denies his penis ended his Olympics dream (18 August 2016) Oh look, another Olympics male objectification story. But the author informs us that it’s all in jest, so it’s OK

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Body shaming is horrible, unless it’s against men (21 August 2016)

Personal trainer claims he was dropped from Loose Women for ‘refusing to take my top off’ (18 July 2016) UK with related Reddit discussion thread here

Lesbian MMA fighter celebrates championship win by kissing announcer (10 May 2016) Anyone remember the Chris Gayle incident?

Spurned lover daubs graffiti over ‘cheating’ partner’s Range Rover (5 May 2016) Can you imagine these comments being printed if the “spurned lover” was male?

“Bemused onlookers praised the scorned woman’s courage as the alleged love rat jumped in his car and sped off. Stylist Connie Nakala, 28, said: “She’s brilliant. An inspiration to all women everywhere!” While Associate Nitin Sharma, 30, said: “She was very brave to do it. And good for her.””

Hulk Hogan called a ‘wuss’ by hypocritical American talk show host (23 March 2016)

Madonna strips girl to reveal her breast part. Where are the feminists? (19 March 2016) Australia

Boy and girl, both 16, have consensual sex–only the boy faces statutory rape charges (17 March 2016) Ireland

Kentucky court rules in underage sex case involving teens (17 March 2016) USA

Why do so few men turn up to hear women speak? by Ruby Hamad (10 March 2016) Australia with related Reddit discussion thread here. No reciprocal responsibility for feminists to attend MRA events. My blog post on this issue is here.

It’s OK to objectify men on The Morning Show (2 February 2016) Australia

WATCH: ‘Can you take your shirt off?’ Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann hit on reporter (2 February 2016) This incident was also covered in this article by Martin Daubney

Win a date with Doctor Mike! (18 January 2016) Hands up who doesn’t think we will see ‘Win a date with Doctor Vanessa!’ anytime soon?

In this incident a female sports presenter made disparaging on-air comments about the appearance of a football player, but when he responded like-for-like then HE was the one subject to public criticism (14 January 2016)

“They’ll shame young men who move away from marriage but when a woman does it she’s being independent” (6 November 2015) Reddit discussion thread and linked article

Women are allowed to objectify men because (8 September 2015) and related reddit discussion thread

Hey, that’s *our* trick!, by Dalrock (1 May 2015)

Royal tragic kisses Harry and proposes – for third time (7 May 2015) Stalker commits (sexual?) assault but it’s said to be “cheeky” and a source of humour – after all the perp is only a girl. In this article the commission of this crime is said to “delight” the crowd.

‘Australia’s hottest men’ on the Sunrise TV show (31 March 2015) Video

What would happen if a female TV host was discussed by male journalists in this manner? (31 March 2015)

20 Feminist Headlines That Would Count As Hate Speech If They Were Written About Jews, by Janet Bloomfield (24 March 2015)

When ladies rule (22 November 2014)

double_standards

A men-only UN conference on gender equality? If only it was a joke (7 October 2014)

Female rapist pursues statutory rape victim for child support (2 September 2014)

Is it acceptable for the BBC to say this about men? (3 September 2014)

Eight benefits of dating a younger man (27 August 2014) Read this article carefully and then imagine the sexes were reversed. Would the article have been published? What would the public reaction have been?

Why we objectify men without guilt (21 August 2014)

Why Britain’s women are allowed to sexually objectify men (19 October 2014)

Full frontal Disney: Feminism’s Nudity Double Standard (19 August 2014)

Thought experiment: Let’s reverse the sexes in this story about drunk shaming (2 August 2014)

Video contrasts negative consequences of domestic violence for Chris Brown with the success of husband beater Mary J. Bilge. Feminists downvote it to oblivion (2013) Reddit discussion thread with linked video

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/25co9f/another_rant_about_coworkers_and_manning_up/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/25cm81/the_other_woman_three_men_gang_up_to_take_vicious/

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/25cr74/americas_first_lady_would_do_well_to_remember/

http://www.hireahubby.com.au/residential-services/about-hire-a-hubby.php Can you imagine the public reaction to someone starting a business called “Hire a wife”?

Alex from Target gets objectified, but it’s ok because Alex is a boy (November 2014) Related reddit discussion thread here and a follow-up article here

‘Halle attacks Gabriel as a deadbeat who is using child support to avoid having to work. She says, “There is no case, no law, no logic that says a healthy, active man gets to simply live off child support that the wealthier mother earns.”‘ (3 November 2014) Reddit discussion thread and linked article

Sexist double standards? They’re mostly against men via @RationalMale (4 September 2014)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E07ulYo_H2s

“If a fraternity posted a sign that branded certain women “sluts,” does anyone seriously think the fraternity would not be punished for that? That the school’s president wouldn’t condemn it and call for an investigation and hearings? That Bwog and like-minded progressive outlets wouldn’t have a conniption? But it’s okay to distribute flyers calling certain men rapists. (And which is worse, being called a “slut” or a “rapist”?)

Only in the loopy world of academia and progressive media outlets would such a double standard be deemed acceptable.” A comment by Pierce Harlan at http://www.avoiceformalestudents.com/vigilante-rape-hysteria-at-columbia-university/

Read how this author, Barbara Ellen, rationalises that having sex with underage students is OK if the student is a teenage boy – This shameful liaison does not deserve prison (29 November 2009). Then in a later article Barbara goes on to explain that intimate partner violence is not so bad if the person doing the hitting is female – Solange and Jay-Z: It’s simply not the same if a man is hit by a woman (18 May 2014). Thankfully, there then followed two sound rebuttals by Ally Fogg and Jonathan Taylor. And a March 2015 McCain article on the issue.

This is progress, I think? Huffpo uses the term “rape” for a female teacher and a male minor. Note that two other news sources didn’t use the R-word (6 November 2014) Reddit mensrights discussion thread and linked article

Here is another article on the Jay Z Solange incident – Another side of the double standard (20 May 2014)

patrick1

patrick2

See also:

34 Men Discuss Society’s Insane Double Standards That Favor Women And Hurt Men, by Lorenzo Jensen III (7 February 2017)

A Long Island Bar’s Age Policy Differs for Men and Women. Is It Legal? (10 August 2016) USA

The Confused Male: Do women really want what they say they want? (3 May 2016) UK

This is the moment Sunrise’s Nuala Hafner asked a ‘muscly man’ on a beach if he was single live on national TV – a year before Chris Gayle sleazed onto Mel McLaughlin. So what’s the difference? (6 January 2016)

Upset By Gayle’s Lechery? Remember Sharapova Flirting With This Journalist? (5 January 2016)

Nikkole Paulun and How the Media Brain Washes Men into Serving Deadbeat Moms (6 January 2016) USA

Chivalry but equality: The feminist double-standard, by Prentice Reid (21 April 2015)

No-Questions-Asked Safe Haven Baby Abandonment Law now in all 50 US States /w No Financial nor Legal Penalty For Women Only. Men Still Shackled With Debilitating Child Support Obligations. No Safe Haven Child Abandonment Exists For Men (22 March 2015) Reddit mensrights discussion thread and linked article

Two Teens Have Sex. Neither Could Legally Consent, But Only the Boy Gets a Felony Charge (10 March 2015)

Australian breakfast TV show ‘Sunrise’ covers the ‘cougar’ phenomenon (26 February 2015) Older men+younger women is creepy and exploitative, but older women+younger guys is funny/harmless or even empowering. You know, a case of ‘go girl’.

The Feminist View from a comfortable armchair (20 February 2015)

Five male university students accused of sexual assault are suing the school — and you will enjoy the school’s response  (6 February 2015)

What statements/generalizations about men are you tired of hearing from women? (6 February 2015) A reddit mensrights discussion thread

http://do-feminists-kno.tumblr.com/ Contains several examples of feminist hypocrisy and double-standards

[Study] Men who treat women the same as they treat other men, without benevolent sexism/female privilege, are seen as overwhelmingly sexist by both men and women (15 January 2015) Academic thesis and associated Reddit mensrights discussion thread

Observations from my time in menswear (6 November 2014) Reddit mensrights discussion thread

‘Good Men Project’ article about how men should accept abusive girlfriends (25 August 2014)

The ‘Fappening’ and Media Hypocrisy (3 September 2014) This video concerns the hacking & leaking of nude celebrity pics

Judge asks, Why are only boys charged with underage sex? (29 May 2014)

Double standards – Feminism’s sorry record on the subject of rape (31 March 2014)

Down boy! On training your man like a puppy (1 August 2014) This one would go down like a bomb if a man wrote it about woman, but because it’s about men it’s (meant to be) funny. Yeah right

Qualities of the Prince (14 December 2011) Flipping the gender roles, by Rollo Tomassi

DV_doublestandard

attractive

doublestandard

doublestandards

not as sexistobjectify

dbl_standard

singlemen

hypocrisy

 

On the sexualisation of children

Most of us are aware of, and concerned about, the extent to which children appear to be becoming sexualised at a younger and younger age. The contributing factors are primarily social/cultural, although physiological factors also play a role (for e.g. diet and environmental pollutants). What needs to be done, and who should be held responsible for taking whatever action is needed to address the situation?

With regards to social/cultural influences, a linkage has been established, for example, between the increasing prevalence of households in which the father is not present, and children becoming sexually active at an earlier age (Source).

Other social factors that may be relevant include the trend towards families having less children, parents delaying having children until they are older, and the increase in the proportion of families where both parents work.

Clearly we must also consider sexually predatory behaviour by some adults, together with the related issues of child sex tourism, child prostitution and trafficking. The latter is more common in developing countries, yet is nevertheless still present here in the first world. It is important to note that both men and women perpetrate and/or facilitate these crimes, and that their victims may be either male or female.

I am by no means an expert in this field, but some of the more significant influences would seem to be:

The example provided by parents, teachers, and carers, & the messages they convey regarding what constitutes appropriate values and age-appropriate behaviour

Parents make many decisions affecting children, for example, what clothes are bought/worn, what films are watched at the cinema, what magazines are purchased, etc. There have been stories in the media about parents who encourage (persuade?) their children to take place in beauty pageants or similar activities that many other would consider questionable.

Who is responsible? In order of significance … mothers, fathers (where one is present), other family members, and carers/teachers. Governments and the courts play a role through the social and welfare policies they put in place, particularly in relation to issues of custody and visitation.

See my post in relation to feminism-inspired programs in schools, as well as the following examples:

$40 Glassons festival shorts mocked by social media users (2 December 2024)

Bethenny Frankel blasted for posting bikini photos of 13-year-old daughter: ‘So inappropriate’ (30 December 2023) Scan the readers comments on Twitter, and see all the women protesting that the ‘influencer’ mum did nothing wrong. Imagine the alternative reaction if it was a dad who published the pics.

Pre-pubescent girl dancing for money (6 March 2023) Video

‘I would never pose with my daughter like Heidi Klum – it’s wrong’ (12 October 2022) OK, so the daughters aren’t children, but it’s still a bit ewww.

Mum shamed online for editing photo of 8-year-old daughter (24 August 2022)

School suggests ‘modesty shorts’ for girls, sparking fury among parents (news.com.au) (8 June 2021)

Boobs, cleavage edited from high school yearbook photos at Florida school (news.com.au) (24 May 2021)

LGBT community celebrates 8-year-old drag queen. Critics call it child abuse (9 June 2017)

Reality star Farrah Abraham accused of sexualising daughter, 7, in bikini photoshoot (27 June 2016)

Story about the promotion of dance costumes for young girls and related dance culture (26 April 2015)

Mother of ‘most beautiful girl’, 9, slams claims she sexed up daughter (7 December 2014). Feb 2016 update on Kristina and her mum here

Exposure to media images and stories, particularly for example in tween/teen and young womens magazines, that promote, glamourize and normalize sexually-charged behaviour and styles of clothing

Sophie Guidolin hits back at trolls over bikini snap with teen son (4 April 2022)

Preteen bada bing (14 September 2020)

GOP lawmakers call on justice department to take legal action against Netflix for sexualizing children (11 September 2020)

10-Year-Old Boy ‘Drag Kid’ Photographed With Naked Adult Drag Queen (11 January 2019)

‘Art of Safe Sexting’ video slammed by Victorian Education Minister (30 June 2018)

First she became a 13-year-old internet meme. Now, she’s treated like a porn star (23 March 2017)

Sexting: Should teens be left to their own devices? (8 October 2016) Australia

Children as young as 10 years old are sending sexually-explicit images to friends (26 September 2016)

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/cute-or-creepy-kristina-pimenova-may-be-six-but-shes-already-a-supermodel/story-fnixwvgh-1227135126748

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/porn-stars-describe-how-their-families-reacted-after-learning-about-their-careers/story-e6frfmq9-1226888926971

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/vanessa-knowles-pays-for-25k-law-degree-by-stripping-on-the-web/story-fnixwvgh-1226888337382

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/three-porn-stars-explain-why-they-chose-the-porn-industry/story-fnet0gt3-1226917259841

Sexualisation of children (13 February 2011)

Who is responsible? Editors and journalists of the relevant publications (these being primarily women), and parents who ostensibly control TV viewing habits and determine which magazines are purchased and brought home.

The availability and social acceptability of certain products, particularly clothing, that could be seen to facilitate the sexualisation of children

Department stores, for example, often assert that they stock products based on there being a consumer demand for them. Whilst many parents are against stores stocking provocative and age-inappropriate clothing, there is another group of people who are against restrictions or censure in relation to the public dissemination of questionable photos of children in general, and dressing girls in adult-style clothing in particular. Here’s an example of that line of thought here.

The members of that group see such photos, and such clothing, as “cute” and “harmless fun – just like playing dress-ups”. Their views seem to be akin to the criticism of so-called ‘victim-blamers’ as practiced by feminists. In other words, they feel that others who say that pre-teen girls should not be wearing skimpy/provocative clothing are ‘sick’ (or even accuse critics of being paedophiles themselves), and that girls of any age should be able to wear whatever they want without judgment or fear of repercussions on themselves or others.

Pole dancing for kids as young as 10 – addressed in articles in the Whitehorse Leader and the Herald-Sun but behind a paywall. See also Daily Mail article (25 October 2019)

Wife scolds husband for discouraging his 12-year-old daughter from buying sex toys (1 May 2019)

‘I’m sexy and I know it’ dress for tots disgusts parents (28 November 2017)

Pole dancing video sparks backlash on Facebook (12 July 2017)

House of Fraser forced to remove ‘provocative’ Calvin Klein advert after shoppers complain that it sexualises children (14 March 2017) UK

Child models in bikinis spark controversy at fashion show (19 July 2016) USA and Would you let your pre-teen daughter pose like THIS for a fashion brand? (Australia)

Best & Less accused of selling ‘sexualised’ children’s clothes (3 June 2016)

Mother objects to short shorts for young girls (10 February 2016) Video

Online retailer Missguided slammed for selling ‘offensive’ top (1 December 2015)

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/texas-dad-challenges-school-dress-code-labeling-sexist/story?id=30704598

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/mothers-outrage-at-unsuitable-girls-clothing-strikes-raw-nerve-20120814-246tw.html

Reader ‘Molly Black’ writes: “As for the sexualising of young girls—it isn’t paedophiles grooming them, it’s their own mothers dressing them like little tarts. I had lunch in the Kings Rd on Saturday and I couldn’t believe the way 11,12 and 13 years old girls were dressed , often with their mothers. ‘Mini-me-s’ and looking at older men too to check out if they were being given the once over.” (Source)

Who is responsible? Retail owners/managers, product manufacturers, and parents (primarily mothers)  who make clothing purchasing decisions

Exposure to poor role models in popular culture, e.g. actors, models, pop stars and social media ‘celebrities’

Who is responsible? The artists in question (again, who appear to be primarily female) and the companies responsible for creating/marketing their image

TikToker accused of grooming 13-year-old confirms her unborn baby isn’t his (23 February 2021)

See also ‘Baby-faced Instagram star posting sexy snaps‘ (16 January 2016) and ‘Thanks Iggy big butts are ‘in’ for teens’ (28 November 2014)

Exposure to pornography

It appears that the influence of pornography on early onset of sexual activity by specific individuals may have been overstated, although one would imagine that its effect as part of the broader social milieu is still likely to be significant. See http://human-stupidity.com/stupid-dogma/teenage-sexuality/porn

The issue of pornography in general is addressed in this other blog post.

Who is responsible? The producers of pornography, the models/actors featured therein, and adults responsible for either facilitating or failing to exercise control over childrens access to porn.

Passive exposure to sexually-charged advertising on billboards, magazines in stores, and free-to-air TV

This is the ‘white noise’ of sexualised messages and imagery that we are all unwittingly exposed to as we go about our daily business.

Who is responsible? The media. Companies that advertise products. The advertising/marketing agencies (most of whose staff are female) who create the ads. To a lesser extent, bureaucrats within government agencies that make determinations as to whether ads are acceptable.

Diet and environmental factors affecting children

It has been established that the early onset of menstruation can be triggered by body weight reaching certain thresholds. Given an increasing number overweight children then it seems likely that this is an increasingly significant factor in early development, and in some cases the subsequent early onset of sexual activity. The presence of certain household chemicals is another possible contributing factor.

See:

Something is happening to our kids, and it’s time we talked about it (29 July 2017)
Poor kids hit puberty sooner and risk a lifetime of health problems (24 May 2017)
http://mums.bodyandsoul.com.au/kids+health/health/why+girls+are+maturing+early,12327
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/16/early-precocious-puberty.aspx
What causes girls to enter puberty early? (5 February 2015)

Who is responsible? In terms of economic disadvantage, primarily broader societal and economic forces. In terms of dietary choices and product purchasing decisions, primarily parents/children, but also food processing companies and supermarkets.

Conclusion

Clearly,  the increasingly early sexualisation of children is a significant social issue. Is it also a gender issue? It shouldn’t be, as both boys and girls are affected, and both men and women share responsibility for creating the environment in which this phenomenon is occurring.

At the same time though, I’m not seeing a lot of patriarchy at work here. It is largely women who create and purchase the magazines in which sexualised images of girls are portrayed, their pages filled with messages conveying the idea that dressing and behaving like a tramp is a desirable expression of excitement, independence and maturity. It is women who promote the acceptability and the alleged allure of the ‘cougar’. It is women who design, market and purchase provocative clothing lines aimed at tweens and young teens. It is female celebrities, actors and pop stars who twerk and nipple-slip their way across our TV and cinema screens.

All of this is presented, by a particular group of women (and the occasional mangina), as being some noble expression of ‘girl power’. See some graphic demonstrations of that perverse mentality, here, here, here, and here.

In an article entitled ‘Sexualised girls are seen as less intelligent and less worthy of help than their peers‘ the bad guys are those people in the community who make certain value judgements concerning sexualised girls, rather than the adults who allowed them to become sexualised in the first place.

A petition I came across on change.org provides another such example of the whacky logic of liberal progressives. This was summed up in the title of a reddit discussion thread, “So, telling girls they shouldn’t dress sexually is sexualising women“. In other words it is the person who discusses or draws attention to the fact that a girl is dressed like a hooker, who has compromised judgement/morals … not the girl in question or her parents. How frighteningly short-sighted, shallow, and foolish.

sexualising

And now upon viewing the fruits of their self-indulgence, that same group resort to heaping of blame upon the male gender. A more mature and reasoned course of action would be to accept a degree of accountability and to direct their energies to turning things around. The problem though is that there is an obstacle preventing progress in that direction. And that blockage is gender feminism.

On the other hand, men hold the majority of elected positions in government and within the ranks of CEO’s and thus could institute reforms to more effectively address many of the factors noted above. A small minority of men (and women) also participate in child sex tourism and other pedophile activities.

If there was ever an issue for men and women to set aside ideology and work together to protect future generations, then this is one.

See these related sources:

Australian male feminist & academic Mike Salter discusses his ‘research’ (6 June 2021) Hint: Men are the baddies. Video

Cuties: Netflix indicted by US grand jury over controversial film (7 October 2020)

Tracey Spicer: Why do men think it’s OK to comment on my pre-teen daughter’s looks? (5 February 2017) Australia. Apparently it’s all men’s fault. Tracey doesn’t like men on planes either.

Stop the sexualisation of our children. Right now, by Kylie Lang (8 December 2016) Australia

You’re A “Bigot” If You Don’t Support Pedophilia (31 May 2016)

Children with sexualised behaviours need support, not silence and stigma (27 May 2016) Australia

Controversial sex-ed program will teach Aussie toddlers about cross-dressing (6 March 2016) Australia
“Children are sexual beings and it’s a strong part of their identity, and it is linked to their values and respect”

I see articles about young girls being “sexualised” all the time, but never about boys (1 December 2014) Reddit mensrights discussion thread
Feminism, consumerism & the sexualisation of girls
Don’t blame advertisers for the sexualisation of children

Tramps like us: Target and modern day misogyny (20 August 2012)
Study: Girls as young as six want to be sexy (17 July 2012)
Sexy clothing for young girls makes up 30 per cent of the market (10 May 2011)

Sexualisation in child beauty pageants (wiki entry)
http://www.theguardian.com/media/blog/2011/jun/06/sexualised-children-media-blame
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/37158.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-22002324
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2008009/Sexualisation-children-blamed-parents-want-bond-them.html
http://www.womensforumaustralia.org/significant-issues/premature-sexualisation-of-children
http://www.tai.org.au/documents/downloads/DP93.pdf
http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-who-is-to-blame-for-the-over-sexualisation-of-children-171919-Jul2011/
Twelve going on 20: Are girls reaching puberty earlier? (10 August 2011)

Another double-standard: Genital mutilation

I have been meaning to write a post about this subject for some time but today I came across an article that basically took the words right out of my mouth, and is a great introduction to the issue.

That article is called Female genital mutilation (FGM) and male circumcision: Time to confront the double standard by Brian Earp (18 February 2014)

What is happening in many countries is that the issue of FGM is receiving a great deal more attention than male circumcision. This has generated an increasingly strong reaction from opponents of infant circumcision. The opposing reaction from feminists and some others, has been a combination of downplaying the actual and potential harmful effects of male circumcision, combined with exaggeration of is potential health benefits.

Some of the arguments put forward in support of circumcision include better personal hygiene, and related to that a reduced propensity to infection by STD’s including HIV/AIDS. In reality, however, in western society such benefits are marginal. Curiously one does not hear corresponding arguments that infants’ fingernails and toenails should be removed for these reasons, nor the breast buds of pubescent girls (to prevent breast cancer, which is far more prevalent than HIV).

This conflicting treatment of the GM issue for males and females is now being enshrined in an increasing number of new laws that ban FGM whilst ignoring the circumcision of male infants (example).

Further useful and/or disturbing information can be obtained from the following sources:

The Circumcision Information and Resource Pages

Non-therapeutic penile circumcision of minors: current controversies in UK law and medical ethics (12 July 2022)

Becoming A Mother Led Me To Become An Intactivist (26 August 2021)

Circumcision: The Ultimate Male Manipulation (4 March 2021) Video

The BBC just released a video featuring Nimco Ali entitled, “FGM and male circumcision aren’t the same” (7 February 2019)

Turkish boys scream as they’re put by agonising circumcision ritual in photograph sequence displaying their contorted faces (30 June 2017)

Mother laughs at son’s circumcision pain as he walks holding his pants away from the wound (21 April 2017) Reddit discussion thread and linked video.

MGM: Claimed medical benefits Part 1 (25 March 2017) This is the first in a three part series of articles in this web site

World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics study finds evidence in favour of male infant circumcision (8 February 2017)

“uncircumcised males face an 80 per cent risk of developing a foreskin-related condition requiring medical attention” which could equate to a dab of bepanthen and extra washing – but let’s cut the little blighter anyway and be done with it.

Denmark’s doctors express their view on circumcision (12 January 2017) See related Reddit discussion thread here

Why female genital mutilation is a very different issue to male circumcision | International Business Times (7 November 2016) Reddit discussion thread and linked article

Oxford Doesn’t Understand Genital Mutilation (31 August 2016) Video

Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics: ‘Circimcision is Unethical and Unlawful’ (14 July 2016)

Why The Fight To End Female Genital Mutilation Needs To Include Infant Male Circumcision (1 June 2016)

Västra Götaland Parliament: Genital mutilation of boys is OK (13 April 2016)

Why circumcision is the same as FGM (30 March 2016) UK. Video

No More Intactivism for Me: Here’s Why (5 January 2016)

MRA interrupts HeforShe speech at Stony Brook University, challenges speaker on MGM (2 September 2015) Reddit discussion thread and linked video

Circumcision debate raises health claims and ethical issues (12 May 2015)

Female Circumcision – The Hidden Truth (2 April 2015) A Muslim perspective

Defending FGM (18 February 2013)

The Doctors: Daytime Talk Show Disaster (16 January 2014) Good Youtube video

Sex Talk Realness: Circumcised Penises vs. Uncircumcised Penises (23 October 2014) Unbelievably tasteless article from Cosmopolitan

12 African men forced to undergo circumcision (3 August 2014)

Don’t compare male circumcision with FGM (30 July 2014) Rubbish article but comments worth reading

http://www.sott.net/article/282359-Why-the-benefits-of-circumcision-are-based-on-false-assumptions-erroneous-conclusions-and-misleading-medical-information (21 July 2014)

Three charged with circumcising girls committed to stand trial (23 May 2014)

A Youtube video on the subject of circumcision

Sexually-transmitted infections and circumcision: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2013)

“Consequently, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections cannot rationally be interpreted as a benefit of circumcision, and any policy of circumcision for the general population to prevent sexually transmitted infections is not supported by the evidence in the medical literature.”

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6966989/the-real-reason-youre-circumcised

http://www.examiner.com/article/female-genital-mutilation-vs-circumcision

http://www.circinfo.org/Circumcision_and_women.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/baby-dies-herpes-virus-ritual-circumcision-nyc-orthodox/story?id=15888618

‘The case against the case against circumcision‘ (18 October 2009) Some interesting info amongst the readers comments section

http://www.avoiceformen.com/men/mens-health/circumcision-is-a-universal-horror-so-why-do-some-of-londons-most-powerful-feminists-refuse-to-save-boys-from-genital-mutilation/

http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2013/09/18/how-intactivists-are-ruining-the-debate-on-circumcision/

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/03/men-and-female-genital-mutilation

Reddit discussion thread about a pro-circumcision article in the Sydney Morning Herald

http://j4mb.wordpress.com/2014/06/08/herbert-purdy-comments-on-andrew-delaneys-paper-on-the-double-standards-concerning-fgm-and-male-circumcision/

Should we circumcise women to prevent throat cancer in men?  (7 July 2014)

US Navy study on the (absence of a ) link between circumcision and HIV infection (July 2004)

And finally … I couldn’t believe this when I first read about it … sick stuff. Skin cream for women made from the foreskins of baby boys (12 April 2013)

end_circumcision

circumcisionImage

On the feminist myth of ‘rape culture’

Rape culture is one of the mainstays of contemporary feminist ideology, and some assert that it is a crucial prop in maintaining the culture of perennial victimhood for women that then in turn manufactures the ‘need’ for feminism.

The nature and even the very existence of a ‘rape culture’ (at least within modern western societies) is hotly disputed as evidenced in the positions put forward in the reference works listed below. As you will note, north American university campuses have been the major focus for activism in relation to this issue.

Where is all this talk of rape culture leading us to? Hysteria and denial of justice to the falsely accused. Here’s a relatively benign, yet still troubling, May 2015 Australian example (also here).

I would suggest also reading this related post within this blog, with further related posts elsewhere in this blog (just click on the subject tag/s at the listed at the base of this page).

One starting point is an April 2014 article entitled ‘The big lie of a rape culture’ by Wendy McElroy

In January 2016 we heard about a new development that yet again shows the utter hypocrisy of the feminist movement, and it’s disregard for the welfare of ordinary women. This development occurred due to a clash of feminist ideals, in which the progressive liberal SJW bias of many feminists won out. In Cologne, Germany, on New Year’s Eve at least 100 women were sexually assaulted by Muslim ‘refugees’ from the Middle East. There followed a disgraceful cover-up by the leftist media and government spokespeople, as described in this article.

Congratulations feminists/SJW for creating a rape culture where there was none, by feminising western males, encouraging a PC-inspired kid-glove (if not, hands-off!) approach by police, whilst lobbying for unfettered entry by huge number of people with a very different and conflicting cultural background.

So much has happened in North America in just the past 2-3 years concerning rape hysteria, especially in relation to real and alleged campus assaults. Finally after many court cases by wrongly accused men, and revelations concerning high-profile hoaxes and false allegations, some sense is returning the debate.

What a disappointment then to see that feminists are importing this madness to Australia. And with Elizabeth Broderick as a mouthpiece – colour me surprised. Are we now destined to experience the same painful and divisive process that our North American brother and sisters have endured, and are still attempting to resolve?

And now it’s time to jump in to the other reference works that follow …

Articles from the Voice for Men web site (various authors)

Climate of fear, by Bettina Arndt (27 October 2016)

Wendy McElroy – Rape Culture Hysteria (24 July 2016) Video

Documentation of Title IX complaints against Emerson College surfaces, questionable accusations abound (19 June 2014) Harvard Law Review

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/feminist-lies-feminism/why-call-it-rape-culture/ by 

http://www.avoiceformen.com/mens-rights/false-rape-culture/the-end-of-rape-culture/ by Jim Byset (18 March 2014)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/logic-another-form-of-female-oppression/ by Diana Davison (17 March 2014)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/mens-rights/false-rape-culture/rape-culture-fanatics-dont-know-what-a-culture-is/ by Barbara Kay (10 March 2014)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/mens-rights/false-rape-culture/mens-rights-vs-feminist-rape-culture-explained-using-puzzle-pieces/ (11 February 2014)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/mens-rights/false-rape-culture/the-real-rape-epidemic/ by John Hembling (22 October 2011)

Our so-called “Rape Culture” by Tara Palmatier (29 October 2013)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/feminist-lies-feminism/feminist-lies-about-rape-culture/ (17 October 2013)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/feminist-governance-feminism/the-myth-of-rape-myths/ by Diana Davison (15 November 2013)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/hangouts/avfm-monday-roundup-anti-male-hysteria-from-nazarian-to-obama/ by Paul Elam (27 January 2014)

http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/legitimate-rape-advocacy-and-censorship/ by Chris Deslone (24 March 2013)

Articles/videos about ‘rape culture’ from other sources

Assessing #MeToo, Five years on (28 November 2022)

Susan Brownmiller on Rape and Male Power – The Fiamengo File 2.0 (21 October 2022) Produced by Janice Fiamengo

Can we talk about sex please? (September 2020) Interesting broader coverage of the situation on US campuses

University students show they’ve bought into the diversity delusion (24 February 2020)

Male Title IX activist expelled after “feminist witch-hunt” (12 November 2019) USA

The Ministry of Love: Ongoing Gender Partisanship in the Department of Education (11 October 2019) USA

Attorney General Barr once lauded ‘masterful’ book that criticizes campus sexual assault investigations (19 September 2019) USA

How hundreds of campus #MeToo punishments could get tossed (13 August 2019)

Just how easy should it be to destroy a young man’s life? (30 January 2019) USA

David French identifies the root cause of sexual assaults on university campuses (18 September 2017)

The Uncomfortable Truth About Campus Rape Policy (6 September 2017) USA

No rape crisis on our campuses: Official (2 August 2017) Australia

I’m Done Pretending Men Are Safe (Even My Sons) (6 July 2017)

Fabricating A Rape Culture On Campuses, by Bettina Arndt (22 May 2017)

Study: 89% of colleges reported zero campus rapes in 2015 (11 May 2017)

Grant teacher’s letter denying rape culture outrages students, parents (May 2017) USA. Teacher encourages people to think about an issue – gets sanctioned. Coverage of this incident then went international. Pressure was then brought to bear on the teacher who then issued a retraction.

Laura Kipnis, Rape Culture, and the Disappearance of Sex (18 April 2017)

Male Student Ostracized, Publicly Shamed After Questioning the Existence of Rape Culture (6 April 2017)

The Campus Rape Frenzy: The Attack on Due Process at America’s Universities by Professor KC Johnson and Stuart Taylor (3 February 2017)

Amherst Student Expelled for Sexual Misconduct Can’t Defend Himself—It Would ‘Impose Psychological Trauma’ on Accuser (31 January 2017)

The Understudied Female Sexual Predator (29 November 2016)

Research Finds Sexual Victimization Perpetrated by Women More Common than Previously Known (28 November 2016) USA

A third of U.S. women afraid of being sexually assaulted, but few say they’re victims (17 October 2016) With related Reddit discussion thread here.

Schools, media ignore civil protections when it comes to campus sexual assault, Ashe Schow (30 August 2016) USA

Court Rules Former Columbia Student Suspended for Alleged Rape Can Sue for “Anti-Male Bias” (2 August 2016)

Over 60 percent decline in sexual violence against females from 1995 to 2010 (US Government statistics released in 2013)

Due process is still being kicked off campus, by George Will (13 May 2016) USA

‘Ripe for sexual assault’: Australian universities need drastic action to stop attacks on women (11 May 2016) Wouldn’t it be better to learn from the overblown rape hysteria of North American campuses, rather than just importing it and repeat the same mistakes? More on Australians developments here – as you can see archly-feminist Australia Human Rights Commission taking a lead role.

Rape culture: what makes a boy a man? (19 April 2016) Australia. “Of course there is a need for some lightness” (=anything women do to, or say about, men). Because it’s different when a woman does it. Even raping their students, Steve?

Save us from hastag justice, by Margaret Wente (2 April 2016) Canada

‘Anti-Rape Culture‘ by Aya Gruber, University of Colorado Law School (2016)

Radical Feminism And The So-Called ‘Rape Epidemic’ (3 December 2015) USA

Campus sexual assault: Bad statistics don’t help victims (26 October 2015) Video from the ‘Factual Feminist’

An Assault on Common Sense (2 November 2015)

The myth of the college ‘rape culture’ (27 September 2015)

University of Michigan sex assault finding thrown out (15 September 2015)

Appalling trend: innocent young men are deemed necessary collateral damage in the war on rape (14 September 2015)

‘The Hunting Ground’: Reaping Profit from Rape Hysteria (26 March 2015)

Tracking rape, on and off campus (25 March 2015)

‘Rape prevention tips’ go viral. Upset men (23 March 2015)

A surprisingly eloquent facebook debate re: victim-blaming and mensrights (March 2015) Reddit mensrights discussion thread

The number of sexual assaults against women is falling. So why isn’t it being reported? (19 February 2015)

Trading the Megaphone for the Gavel in Title IX Enforcement – Backing off the hype in Title IX enforcement (18 February 2015)

Now more than ever, the issue of campus rape requires critical thinking (17 December 2014)

Another college campus, more pitchfork justice (7 December 2014)

Saslaw says 20 percent of female students at University of Virginia are sexually assaulted (8 December 2014)

Should we always believe the victim? (6 December 2014)

Fear: The terrible feeling every woman experiences by Melissa Hoyer (6 November 2014) and Pray for Clementine (4 December 2014) Two similar articles by Australian feminist journalists concerning their sickening level of paranoia regarding men. In the second article Clementine Ford is freaking out because a stranger in the street, a man, tried to talk to her.

A sexual harassment policy that nearly ruined my life (3 November 2014) Concerns the issue of lack of due process when investigating claims of sexual harassment/assault on USA campuses

Vagina warrior lynch mobs (26 October 2014) Re: USA campuses

French feminists’ fury as they demand Normandy statue be torn down (7 October 2014)

Shut Up, because Rape (2 October 2014)

The President calls on men to protect women from rapists … (A Reddit mensrights discussion thread) (19 September 2014)

Barbara Kay: Eight to 16% of the male population has been abused sexually in youth. Often by women (5 September 2014)

Feminists rage over suggestion that alcohol education can help curb sexual assault (2 September 2014) Reddit discussion thread here

1,400 girls are raped in Rotherham and feminists don’t care (1 September 2014) and Feminists deafening silence on Rotherham (29 August 2014)

Feminists say roofie-detecting nail polish is actually also rape culture (25 August 2014)

Why is it easier to invent anti-rape nail polish than find a way to stop rapists? by Jessica Valenti (26 August 2014)

Janet Bloomfield critiques an article by feminist journalist Jessica Valenti regarding rape culture (21 August 2014)

No, 1 in 5 women have not been raped on college campuses (13 August 2014)

‘Rape Culture’ leads to manhunts on campus (11 August 2014)

‘Teach men not to rape’: Turn off the outrage machine (29 June 2014) Sensible article that attracted angry feminist response

Conservative scholar: Feminist ‘mob’ ruining colleges with ‘rape culture crusade’ (19 May 2014)

Before declaring that there’s a ‘rape epidemic’ in the US has anyone bothered to check the actual data? (17 May 2014)

Female students shouldn’t play the victim card (12 June 2014)

I am now officially sick of rape culture bullshit (30 April 2014)

The big lie of a “rape culture” by Wendy McElroy (7 April 2014)

Estelle B. Freedman: Redefining Rape (15 October 2013) Youtube video

Study: 10 Percent of U.S. Youths cause Sexual Violence – Females are just as likely to be perpetrators as males (7 October 2013)

In this video a feminist dissects the bogus “one in five women will be raped” statistic

http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/heather-mcdonald-obamas-hysteria-over-sexual-assault-epidemic-is-based-on-a-fiction/

http://siryouarebeingmocked.tumblr.com/post/83050273674/a-far-cry-from-innocence-when-a-man-gets-insulted

http://thoughtcatalog.com/kelly-hills/2014/04/27-things-that-currently-define-rape-culture/ (29 April 2014) A male perspective on the notion of ‘rape culture’

http://cornellsun.com/blog/2014/04/17/throwdown-thursday-the-truth-about-rape-culture/ and subsequent discussion/furore here

http://www.cotwa.info/2014/04/the-angry-reaction-to-acquittal-of.html

http://www.rainn.org/news-room/rainn-urges-white-house-task-force-to-overhaul-colleges-treatment-of-rape

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2013/10/24/statistics-dont-back-up-claims-about-rape-culture

http://www.mindingthecampus.com/originals/2014/03/rapeculture.html

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/03/13/national-post-editorial-board-lots-of-rape-culture-rhetoric-but-not-much-evidence/

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/12/04/barbara-kay-dont-exaggerate-rape-culture-on-campus/

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/02/28/barbara-kay-rape-culture-and-the-delusions-of-the-feminist-mind/

http://antimisandry.com/advice-sexism-misandry-discrimination/rape-epidemic-doesnt-actually-exist-53477.html

http://time.com/30545/its-time-to-end-rape-culture-hysteria/

http://themaskandrose.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/feminist-lie-1-rape-culture/

http://politix.topix.com/story/10784-college-men-arent-closet-rapists

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/22jp7k/the_feminist_group_at_my_school_are_very/

http://www.mindingthecampus.com/forum/2013/12/lets_challenge_the_rape_cultur_1.html

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1khu6r/the_difference_between_rape_victimization_rates/

CDC study on sexual violence in the U.S. overstates the problem (27 January 2012)

http://www.saveservices.org/wp-content/uploads/Nine-Facts-About-Sexual-Violence-and-Rape1.pdf

http://time.com/40110/rape-culture-is-real/ (Christina H. Sommers described this article thus: “Sorry, but this is exhibit A of what has gone wrong with Nth wave feminism. Fallacies + melodrama. When will it end?” Best proceed quickly to the comments section)

The Campus Rape Myth (Winter 2008)

‘Realities and mythologies of rape’ in Society, Jan-Feb 1998 v35 n2 p356 (7)

rapes_down

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Some good comments in response to a blog post I came across today

I was researching the issue of feminists pulling fire alarms to disrupt MHRA meetings or similar, and came across a 2013 blog post by some feminist or another. The post was dross but I rather liked several responses provided by one of the readers (‘East1956’), who also posts in AVfM I see. It was well written whoever you are, and worth saving and repeating here:

“It seems to me that in its latest evolution feminism wants to project itself as a movement that can represent women and men against the “Patriarchy”, now an infinitely mutable entity that allegedly oppresses both men and women. In this evolution feminists abrogate to themselves the right to decide what and how men, an enormous & diverse constituency, should think and express their perceptions.

Feminism has since the 70′s forewarned of the “Backlash”, and reactionary response to social, economic and political change initiated by feminist influenced change.

IMO there is a profound sense of hypocrisy in some of the stances taken by feminists when they decry some of the extreme statements made by individual men associated with MRA’s and other men’s awareness movements. Hypocritical because in its earlier phases those within the feminist movement have on one hand called for some fairly violent things to be done to men, and have insisted on the validity of narrow female perspectives of events.

Since the 90′s in response to feminism there has been the evolution of several men’s awareness initiatives. Some of these have been confrontational to feminism and some less so. What drove this was the ongoing crisis that our societies face as young men fail to engage with society in the manner of previous generations. We may have expressed this as “Men In Crisis” or “Boys In Crisis”, but the crisis is a collective one.

If we are to address these issues, then men need to explore their own issues and perspectives, and frankly no amount of women have the authority or even real insight to afford them the right to determine how men may perceive these issues or express their reactions. At best women can be observers, and allies.

What none of us should overlook or forget is that our entire social order is predicated on men working and generating wealth for their entire lives, and we cannot afford for them to disengage from this. The impact of men’s apparent failure to maintain their wealth creation capacities are women, children and the elderly as they are the consumers of the wealth that men create.

However, in this post-feminist world men need to synthesize a new response to the demands upon them. The social order that kept the majority of men engaged in previous generations is gone, and is unlikely ever to be recovered.

IMO there is a painful journey to be undertaken in which men explore their experiences and articulate their perceptions. Women are going to hear things that will be at best uncomfortable, but no worse than statements such as “All Men Are Rapists!”.

New feminists cannot absolve themselves of the feminist inheritance, anymore than men can absolve themselves of the past oppression of women.

It seems to me that feminism has long abandoned calm rational logical evidence-based debate and has descended into one successive bout of enraged screaming after another. It occurs to me that this has more to do with trying to drawn out the small voices of ordinary men who are trying to express their experiences. In those fora the only male voice that is heard is the one that equals the vociferousness of those feminists.

It would be better if everyone stopped screaming, kept quiet and started actively listening.

One characteristic, that the young new feminists should perhaps take account of, is the number of older women, who state that they were active feminists, who now are joining MRA’s etc to support mens calls for reform. Almost without exception these women are drawing upon their life experience of close partnership with men, and their observation of their male partner’s experiences. This should pose a question among the young women on the front-line whether what they are being told actually corresponds to the realities that they have yet to encounter. But that is an issue for women….. i.e what is a UK woman to think when her male partner falls ill and he can’t get treatment because gender politics have determined that 85% of all, non-gynecological, health care is directed towards females and that her partners being neither under 16 or over 65 is not a priority case? That woman may think may things as she watches him suffer and then perhaps die, quite necessarily. She undoubtedly will question whether the feminism she has hitherto identified with deserves her support.”

“Feminism has long had a fine line in “Traitor!” accusations for women who “join” the other side. It’s a tough decision to make if you are going to face a barrage of abuse and threats. 

Re: Healthcare – unfortunately it’s tough but decisions about who gets what have to be made. In the ideal world there would be no limit, but in the ideal world so many things would be different and I would be youngish, incredibly handsome and women would hurl themselves at my feet! Only joking, I’d trip over them and hurt myself.

The problem I think is in the MRA / feminist conflict is that from the MRA POV feminists have wielded enormous power in terms of public policy & resources, even though I am certain that most feminists would deny it. In UK here have been a number of credible reports from entities like Royal College of Nursing and Law Society calling for reforms to public policy to afford equality for men. 

From my own research for UK govt men’s Health Forum, it became clear that the women involved in the group really didn’t recognise until it was pointed out to them that society has profoundly different messages for men and women. I analysed a range of very successful TV adverts and then did a gender role swap to highlight how much we are conditioned to accept certain things about men and women. One of the things that surprised the women were the number of ads that had a story line which in a gender reversed mode they immediately cited as intimate partner abuse according to Duluth model. Yet in the original versions they didn’t recognise the actions of the women characters as abusive.

The other problem for the MRA’s is dealing with the conflation of the impact of feminism and the consequences of poor political decisions that have led to the diminution of men’s ability to generate wealth and thus their marginalisation.

  • “A Thought:

Is the man who calls himself a feminist, merely a spruced up version of the Edwardian model of the man who stood aside for weaker women and children, willing to stand on the decks of the Titanic stoically as it slid beneath the waves? All very noble, but to have reached that condition men had to be willing and able, through social conditioning, to suppress the natural instincts. That model of stoicism created men incapable of expressing their emotions, who became distorted people through the endless suppression of self. 

Is there not a convenience in falling in behind feminism with its inherent emphasis upon women’s interests and inherent subordination of men’s interests that let men avoid examining the condition of men in our society and the catastrophe that has befallen many?”

Footnote: In the same blog I came across this post, where the blogger crosses swords with Karen Straughan (aka ‘Girl Writes What’). Again, I would move straight to the comments section where you’ll find some interesting discussion on the issue of the extent to which feminism is based on and/or fosters the hatred of men.

‘Sunrise’ TV show offers sop to feminists

Yet another case of two steps forward and one step back. In two earlier posts in this blog I described how members of the ‘Sunrise’ TV show purposefully stood their ground against strident feminist criticism. I had hoped that they would keep the positive momentum going with some segments about the excesses and mistruths of the contemporary feminist movement. Unfortunately that was not to be the case. Well, at least not yet. (Postscript: Pleased to see ‘Sunrise’ step up with this interview with MRA Paul Elam on 5 July 2014 … kudos to ‘Sunrise’)

I just watched a segment on ‘Sunrise‘ – an interview involving Michael Kaufman of the ‘White Ribbon Campaign‘ and Sunrise’s resident ‘White Knight‘, Andrew O’Keefe . The segment came across as something of an attempt by ‘Sunrise’ to win back some street-cred with pro-feminist viewers. It’s sad that they feel the need to curry favour with a movement represented by this, this and this.

The ‘White Ribbon Campaign‘ is a pro-feminist organisation whose goal is to stop violence by men towards women. They ignore violence by women, and for the most part they ignore violence by men towards other men. They do acknowledge problems that disproportionately affect men like suicide and homelessness, but claim that these are a reflection of the pressures of gender stereotypes imposed on boys and men (i.e. be a man!). The solution, they say, is for men to be comfortable showing what are seen as feminine attributes – and then they would not have to hurt women. The ‘White Ribbon’ crowd thus conveniently choose to ignore more potent forces such as the increasingly toxic environment in schools and universities for male students, the pervasive anti-male bias in the media, etc etc.

By all means please do address the problem of violence – violence by people of all genders. And by all means address the imposition of negative gender stereotypes – again, by people of all genders. But by focussing entirely on violence by men towards women, the White Ribbon Campaign reinforces the prevailing stereotype of men as brutes and women as victims. That being the case, they are as much part of the problem as they are part of the solution.

One of the outcomes of this telescopic view of ‘domestic violence = mens violence towards women’ is the trivialising of the other dimensions of intimate partner violence (i.e. womens violence towards men, male on male violence, and female on female violence). This bias is a pervasive influence across society, and is discussed and demonstrated in another blog post which includes links to videos showing public reaction to male and female actors playing out different scenarios of partner violence.

The concerns of others regarding the White Ribbon Campaign can be ascertained by googling on the words ‘White Ribbon Campaign criticism’ (some examples here, here, here, here, here and here).