3 Forum Posts by "Greynight"
Sorry for going so long without any replies, but a snowstorm knocked out the power where I live. I'm really glad to see more posts, but I think we're still getting a bit off track. To clear a few things up I'm not a feminist nor a masculist since I don't really support one group or the other. What I wanted to discuss was issues related to men and talk about resources, programs, and websites that might help. No offense, but I think we should create a separate thread for women's rights since a lot of the people here seem to be highly aligned with one or the other. I think women's issues are important, but they should have their own section. What I want to do here is discuss problems faced by men and boys and what we can do to help them. I want to know what people think of things like international men's day or the NCFM. Do you think these are good sources of information? Do you have a site that has helped you? This is a place I want to use to help guys like myself who are suffering from discrimination and double standards. Let me be clear though, this space is welcome to anyone, male or female, atheist or theist, old or young... anyone. So long as you don't troll or flame anyone you are all welcome here.
Now, I think that general discussion isn't working out very good and that we should focus on one issue at a time like prostate cancer or domestic violence. What do you guys think we should focus on first?
Wow, I didn't expect to see so many posts this fast, thanks everyone. Still, I think some of the posts are getting a bit too far from the atmosphere I was hoping to create in this thread. I would like to ask that anyone who posts please not directly target specific groups of people with insults or dismissal simply because the majority carry a different opinion than you. It doesn't matter if someone is a feminist, masculist, both or something else entirely. Anyone can be sexist, regardless of what title they give themselves so let's please not get off track with mud slinging. If you don't have something meaningful to contribute to the discussion at hand please leave until you do, it will save readers time and save you dignity to not bother the people here with rude comments for talking about touchy subject matter.
Now, with that out of the way I'd like to address infant genital mutilation since that seems to be a major point of interest to the people who have already posted. Personally, I'm against any form of irreversible medical procedure being carried out on someone who isn't able to give consent, especially a newborn infant. I disagree with the notion that circumcision is less of a human rights violation than female genital mutilation for several reasons, namely because its the same basic idea. I'm not going to argue that one form of genital mutilation is more wrong because both procedures are an infringement of basic human rights to bodily integrity. The major problem with this subject that I see is that people focus on the damage caused instead of the crime itself.
Saying that FGM is unacceptable because it inflicts more damage than MGM is like saying female victims of war should receive less help than male victims because the males suffer more damage in combat. The damage inflicted is only part of the problem, the problem itself is one group of people are given preferable treatment in an issue that is a violation of the same basic human right. In the USA FGM is outlawed for any reason, while MGM is seen as completely okay by the government because it "causes less lasting harm to the victim" than the inverse. An entire lifestyle choice is made for many babies simply because they aren't recognized as suffering a rights violation while many other babies are given a pass that preserves their choice in the matter.
Maybe FGM is a lot worse than MGM, maybe its a hundred times worse and nothing can compare to it. If so, wouldn't that be a damn good reason to put an end to all forms of infant genital mutilation? If baby girls being mutilated is the worst thing ever why devalue your point by supporting mutilation of male babies? Just because young boys may suffer less, they still suffer pain, loss of choice and in some cases devastating psychological issues. If the price of permanently abolishing FGM is also abolishing MGM isn't that a no brainer? Are traditions really so important that people really think endangering children is still the best answer? I'm not saying it would end FGM overnight, but if the USA abolished MGM they'd strike a major blow to the argument that FGM is okay by showing that NO genital mutilation is okay, regardless of gender. My 2 cents, anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of you have to say.
I've recently become interested in this topic when a friend showed me one of girlwriteswhat's videos on Youtube and we had a lengthy discussion about it. Since then I've been all over the web to many MRM (Men's Rights Movement) sites and have read many interesting stories and articles relating to the subject. I have to admit a lot of it was confusing at first, but the more I read the more I became intrigued. I began noticing several men's issues that have been dismissed and overlooked as well widespread censorship being used to suppress and deny much of the information on these sites. Now, after talking to various people online and off I wanted to see if anyone else here shares any of my beliefs on this topic. I'm not criticizing feminism or women's rights, but I feel that as far as laws and expectations from society are concerned men have been given the short end of the stick in several areas.
For example, female infant genital mutilation is seen as a violation of the child's rights in the USA, but removal of a male baby's foreskin is legal and solely up to the parents despite the fact that it is a life-altering decision that will effect that child for the rest of their life. There are several other double standards I have come across as well and they are far too numerous to all be listed here. Getting to the point, what I want to know is what is everyone's opinion on this matter. Do you support the idea that men are discriminated and if so, more or less than women are? Do you believe the MRM is important and needed for true gender equality? Do you think men's right groups and female right's groups should work together for the benefit of everyone?
I don't care if you're with me or against me, a feminist or anti-feminist, left-leaning or right-leaning... I just want to have a thoughtful, intellectual discussion here. Everyone deserves to have their opinion heard and I think we can all remain civil and courteous to one another even when we disagree. If you have any opinion whatsoever I'd be very interested to hear it and together we can share our ideas and facts without prejudice or worry of censorship. I think discrimination hurts us all and that if we can use reason and understanding both men and women can come one step closer to eliminating sexism. Please share your thoughts below and I'll respond as soon as I can.
