misogynists on this forum.

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I too did not initially realise that this was womens forum, I just thought it was an interesting and challenging title that I would like to discuss/debate with others in an open minded way.
I think the word `horrible` initially enticed me to join in, to try and state what I feel is a more balanced view that this was a bit strong.

I have subsequently found once again as I did in the 80s when I first began to be interested in womens issues and their importance
(NB. importance for everyone NOT just women) that a section of women seem to want to keep the debate to themselves, and while hammering your everyday misogynist, they will also attack men in general which includes men who really want to support them (this is a little short-sighted)

This is the crazy bit.... some women complain about things like misogyny but then will not tell us (men) how to improve things/help or change!

So if this forum is just a place that women want for women to vent or share that is fine by me.

I perhaps misguidedly thought we might have a debate to improve understanding. My point is that I don`t see WP as having "so many horrible misogynists" just the regular amount if not a bit less than normal. And also misogyny is of course horrible, so the horrible was unnecessary really. (not really a major point though.. I get the idea that the OP was putting forward)

So I too would support a women only policy if thats what women voted for.....
However I still feel that choosing isolation is misguided, inclusivity is where its at in my book. You have to live with people to change them.

However I firmly believe that this is womens responsibility to lead change here otherwise its just hot air, and I still believe this in spite of what some women have posted.

I have asked a couple of times here for ideas of how women intend to change this misogyny. (I suppose educating their little boys to respect women better would be a start and not be too forceful in gender role delineation)

I have been asked in reply "why should women have to do this for men".
Well this is so we know how best to help!
but it seems my offer of support here is being rejected... that is like cutting your nose off to spite your face

Therefore the question then is this ... If women are not prepared to set the agenda and lead men (yes the world!) in these issues then who else is going to?

Don`t hold your breath for change to happen on its own, women and men must force it to happen (yes together)

So I ask again how can we work together to make a situation where there are fewer misogynists on WP?
thats a start.

...its everyones job to help surely..... but its a no brainer that it is womens job to lead the way, or at least set the agenda.

I've stayed away from this thread for the last couple of days, the responses overwhelmed me. I feel now, though, that I need to clarify a few things. It was NOT my intention to offend any of the men on this forum. I have witnessed a lot of misogyny here in the short space of time that I've been a member (I would be breaching forum rules to provide examples - sorry). I wanted to see if other female members experienced it more here than irl, because honestly it makes me very anxious. Due to systematic childhood trauma, I have a hard time feeling safe around ANYBODY, so I found it even more alarming to think that many men (more alarming because they are stronger than me) automatically resent me, wish me harm, or view me negatively, purely because I am female. I do not hate men, I am in a loving relationship with one, but I can't tell which men mean me harm, and which don't, especially if people aren't outspoken in their views of women. I was trying to express my thoughts on MISOGYNISTS when I used the term 'terrible'. I had believed that the majority of people agreed that misogyny is terrible, I now see that not everyone feels that way. If any of you think that it's ok to be misogynistic (or racist, ageist, ableist etc....) then I guess there's nothing that can be done.

However, if you feel that misogyny is wrong, and you witness it on here, please speak up! We need you (men too!) to help us feel safe here, and everywhere! I will do my best to do the same for you gents, and be more sensitive towards you in future. Sorry again for any offense caused. If anyone is worried about their behaviour, I'd be happy to talk to you via PM

Honestly the forums have been like this since I joined, however many years ago that was.

No section or subsection was immune. The forums as a whole are essentially not safe for women.

Despite repeatedly telling this to moderators over the years, multiple times, often as a group and having threads like this previously were large numbers of women wanted to see something done about this and let the moderators know, nothing has ever been done.

While I understand the moderators are unpaid, most of them have never taken misogyny seriously apart from maybe two exceptions over the years.

Most women have resorted to simply avoiding the worst parts in that regard which have always been L&D, AAI, and PPR. Some of us like me are just really tired in general of a lot of the crap here so we stop posting altogether, but this is definitely one of the major reasons that it happens.

I would like to point out that I don't hate men. I do want a private group for women.

It occurs to me that observation changes the thing observed, in science. That would be true of women, too.

Perhaps you don't know that women are observed 24/7 and seek a safe place. Really.

Then find a women's only site if you're so paranoid of men reading. And just in case men try to go undercover, proof of being female needs to be shown. Timestamped genitalia.

Oh dear. Perhaps a moderator should close this thread, it's become a train wreck.