The Disadvantages of the White Male - 11 views

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  #2 Markita Schulman on 30 May 13

   

  It seems to me that it is important to discuss any inequality, whether it comes at the expense of men, women, black people, white people, etc. But some people are too quick to jump to the conclusion that if a group ever faces discrimination it is by definition a discriminated-against group, or, moreover, that that makes its members incapable of discriminating against others. In the case of gender, it is clear that our society has made progress in the field of women's rights. We have to be careful to define equality as a state where everyone is equal, instead of just flipping discrimination. But it is also important not to blame the evolution and progress of women's rights for any disadvantages that men face. In an ideal world none of us are discriminated against and none of us discriminate.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">It seems to me that it is important to discuss any inequality, whether it comes at the expense of men, women, black people, white people, etc. But some people are too quick to jump to the conclusion that if a group ever faces discrimination it is by definition a discriminated-against group, or, moreover, that that makes its members incapable of discriminating against others. In the case of gender, it is clear that our society has made progress in the field of women's rights. We have to be careful to define equality as a state where everyone is equal, instead of just flipping discrimination. But it is also important not to blame the evolution and progress of women's rights for any disadvantages that men face. In an ideal world none of us are discriminated against and none of us discriminate.</div>

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  #3 Holly Parkin on 30 May 13

   

  Some of the points made in this article seem pretty valid, and I'm happy that they pointed out the fact that "sexism against men" not always an attack on feminism, and could actually soften the male point of view towards the fight against sexism. However, the overarching mood for much of this article except for towards the end was very irritating to me - in an age when sexism against women and misogyny is still very common, even in first world countries, I do not think it is appropriate to start complaining about how men have been subjected to genocide and abuse in the past, when this genocide in particular equally affected men and women and no one was subjected more than the other. It's true, this article did not take the worst kind of standpoint on "men's rights," claiming that men are being abused by feminists and that misandry is a problem in today's society (which I believe is completely inaccurate). However, the fact that the basis of that argument (men are subjected to sexism) is being defended here only provides more ammo for those who DO believe that sexism against women doesn't count as much as sexism against men. I think that for now, feminism and misogyny is the main focus, and the "men's rights activists" don't need any more evidence that they can warp to try and prove their ridiculous point.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Some of the points made in this article seem pretty valid, and I'm happy that they pointed out the fact that "sexism against men" not always an attack on feminism, and could actually soften the male point of view towards the fight against sexism. However, the overarching mood for much of this article except for towards the end was very irritating to me - in an age when sexism against women and misogyny is still very common, even in first world countries, I do not think it is appropriate to start complaining about how men have been subjected to genocide and abuse in the past, when this genocide in particular equally affected men and women and no one was subjected more than the other. It's true, this article did not take the worst kind of standpoint on "men's rights," claiming that men are being abused by feminists and that misandry is a problem in today's society (which I believe is completely inaccurate). However, the fact that the basis of that argument (men are subjected to sexism) is being defended here only provides more ammo for those who DO believe that sexism against women doesn't count as much as sexism against men. I think that for now, feminism and misogyny is the main focus, and the "men's rights activists" don't need any more evidence that they can warp to try and prove their ridiculous point.</div>

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  #4 Sam Allen on 30 May 13

   

  There was one point that did seem reasonable to me, which was "physical violence against men is often minimized or seen as normal." However, it seems that these "men's rights activists" are probably just making a miserable attempt to distract people from the feminist movement. Whoever these men are, they are most likely upset that women are now taking an important role in our society, and are gaining the same rights as men are (although in many cases we can still see sexism against women taking place around the world).

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">There was one point that did seem reasonable to me, which was "physical violence against men is often minimized or seen as normal." However, it seems that these "men's rights activists" are probably just making a miserable attempt to distract people from the feminist movement. Whoever these men are, they are most likely upset that women are now taking an important role in our society, and are gaining the same rights as men are (although in many cases we can still see sexism against women taking place around the world).</div>

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