The Purpose of this Group

[Bonobo]

is to discuss, from a male perspective, the problems (and joys) that are faced by men. It does not exist as a sort of tit-for-tat (excuse the pun) in relation to any Feminist Group nor does participation in it imply, in any way, opposition to the idea of women achieving the freedom and equality that is due to them as fellow human beings.

Simply put, men have issues that are unique to them as men and this group exists to provide them with a place to do so. It is NOT about complaining that men have "it" (whatever "it" may be) as bad as women nor is it about any form of opposition to women's movements which many of us actually support.

Much of the bad reputation that this group has been smeared with is the result of the hard work and breathless efforts of some members of another group who seem to feel the need to create enemies in their minds in order to righteously (or self-righteously) oppose the very sandmen they have themselves created. It really is necessary to build a soapbox if your plan to speak from one and that may necessitate building that soapbox even if it is constructed with imaginary wood.

I encourage the active members of this group to continue to try to avoid being trapped into defining themselves in relation to said group.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Imaginary wood can be a serious problem.

[Bonobo]

2. I got your imaginary wood right here, buddy. nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. Endless meta-fights are counterproductive.

On the other hand, the baiting conducted elsewhere on DU and the basis behind that trolling are some of the best examples of many of the points made here.

The recent thread in GD "a real men's movement will be directed by women" is a good example of an underlying bias that I think is worth examining.

You're absolutely right, the point of this group isn't to be the "anti-HoF", especially since it predates Hof.

[Major Nikon]

4. Some will always see it as a zero sum game

It doesn't do much for their credibility.

[Warren DeMontague]

5. I think I've discovered another purpose of this group.

The purpose of this group is for people to blame all sorts of random shit from random people (who have never set foot in here) on DU that would piss them off, anyway... in fact, that was pissing them off long before the group existed... on the existence of this group.

"Skinner allowed the mens group and that's why we see misogyny everywhere we look on DU"

Um, 2003 is on the phone, it's saying "Give me a break."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x211392

Either that, or we used the mens group time machine Skinner gave us to cause that, too.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

6. We need to make a pre-emptive list of what this group should be blamed for

I'll start with those Japanese panty machines.