Why do some feminists disregard men's perspectives on feminism?

Question

Men are about 1/2 the population. Some of us really are trying to gain and give insights. Also, if men really are in power, shouldn't you be interested in the perspective of those in power? I'm not talking about feminists that question men's perspectives, I'm referring to feminists that disregard men's perspectives. Isn't it counterproductive to do this?

The PC-movement idea that you have to be a member of an oppressed group to have real insight into that oppressed group's movement is very illogical. If I drive a gas guzzler, does that mean I can't utter correct words about saving the environment? No, it might make me a questionable source,.....but this analogy is only a demonstration of the illogic of the victim mentality.

Answer 1

Well, Portwine, read Carrie's answer, as that says it all. Incoherent ideology. "Feminist study is hard. " " You can get a PhD in it. " Pseudo- intellectualism and credentualism. You can get a PhD in religious studies also. You can get one in an honorary fashion, too. This does not make the insights coming from these relativistic, post-modern, social constructionist blowhards any more relevant.

Ideologues have no use for the truth, Portwine, why would they have use for your perspective. I despair at their feeble attempts at scholarship, but I take hope in the fact that their numbers and influence dwindles.

Answer 2

i don't think feminists are trying to be counterproductive by excluding a man's perspective. i think it has to be understood that the whole idea of feminism is that men and women should be on an equal playing field, so by this definition then feminists should include men in their decision making. however, some feminists will argue that when men become involved in the feminist movement, they often times take leadership roles which is exactly what they are fighting in the first place. also, even though a man may be in power, it doesn't mean he got there by merit; he could have beat out a woman who was better for the job simply because he is a man. perhaps feminists just want to reach their goal of equality before they will be ready and willing to hear a man's perspective on their situation.

Answer 3

I think the reason some feminists disregard some men's perspectives on feminism is the same reason some men don't listen to a feminist's perspective, they think they already know all they need to know about it, have heard it all and don't want to listen to it anymore.

Some men's perspectives on feminism are not helpful criticism, but are sneering indictments on how stupid feminism and feminists are--look at a number of the nasty answers you've just received from anti-feminists to your question! Some feminists evaluate patriarchy and traditional right-wingers and say they represent the views of the majority of men, which also is not true.

The point you're missing, is that members of disenfranchised groups do have to learn a lot about the groups with more power, since they have to survive in the power groups' systems. The members of power groups don't have to learn a thing about other groups to survive; as a matter of fact, if they've been taught to despise members of "lower" status groups, they don't care what these people feel, do, or live. So many women do learn a lot about the power structures men have built, like political groups, religious groups, and corporate structures.

When I hear PC touted, I usually assume someone is uncomfortable with something that has changed, and they dislike it or hate it. So they say they don't have to accept the change since that's the way it's always been, and they don't have to do it, since it's just "PC", or just "PC people" expect the change to take place, and PC people don't count.

I often hear how PC people are when men don't want to stop making sexist jokes, or people don't want to stop making racist comments, or people don't want to stop mocking men or women as homo's or lezzies, because that's the way they've always operated, and who does it really hurt? Well, it hurts all of us, and quite a few people absolutely hate hearing that crud. But people who complain about how "PC" their workplace are, want to act out like they always have, and hate it that they actually have to be civil human beings. They still have the right to be as nasty as they want at home and with their friends, but yes, they do have to be "PC" in the workplace, and I'm only too glad the workplace is finally "PC".

Answer 4

Unfortunately in the past few years feminism has seen quite some changes,one of them is its gradual move towards man hating due to influences from the more radical and extreme elements of the movement and as such it has become a lot more self involved and self righteous instead of trying to reach out to resolve differences...and as such it is only right to say that in the long run such attitude will be more detrimental to the movement than useful and definetely counterproductive, I think this is because a lot of women hold grudges against men or perhaps a man and simply blame patriachy for all the troubles that affect the world today,obviously such views are naive and misguided,but very often the most extreme and miguided people are the ones whose voices are heard the most. Very unfortunate but true

Answer 5

I have no problems with men's perspectives on issues, but I think it works both ways in that perspective, ideas and thoughts are taken in a better way if some tact was used and blaming/attacks were stopped from both men & women.

Not going to name names here, but after reading someones blog on the evils of feminism and how men are disadvantaged, I tried to understand this persons point of view and in part agree with some of the issues facing men nowadays, the only problem was that what was said was put through in an extremist and blaming manner and it doesn't matter which gender it comes from, to rant and blame only ever makes people put up defences and close their ears to whatever is being said.

Answer 6

maximum women persons are no longer feminists because of the fact it particularly is retro and does not cause them to prevalent with adult men - effortless and straightforward. women persons could particularly be dealt with like gadgets and doormats than make a stand and be unpopular with the adult men because of the fact all of us be responsive to that a woman isn't considered useful till she has her prince on her arm. there is rather little incorrect information unfold approximately adult men. i discover maximum of my info on ONS approximately male crimes against society, it particularly is a much greater good source of innovations than stuff discovered with the help of anti-feminist web pages on the information superhighway that male combatants to my previous questions approximately feminism have proffered. better, maximum women persons have experienced first hand discriminiation, it particularly is composed of myself. Feminists have a undesirable call because of the fact they have falsely been linked with being huge, fat and furry guy-haters and girls persons have been stated to believe that this would possibly not be objectifying adequate for their unworthiness. Even the main acceptable (interior and out) female in the international is instructed that she ought to be endlessly grateful for the tiniest scraps of male interest - even from the ugliest of them. That, in a nutshell, is why feminism has a undesirable call.

Answer 7

In the movie Gandhi, there is a scene when Gandhi sends away a 'white' supporter. The 'white' supporter is very upset at being excluded from Gandhi's movement, but Gandhi explains that the movement must to be seen as a movement 'for and by Indians', and having a 'white' in a place of honor would suggest that they were still dependent on the 'whites' to move forward. You may have encountered individuals who feel you, as a man, are trying to drive their movement, when they feel it should be a movement for and by women.

Personally, I have known many feminists and have never known any to 'disregard' my thoughts. I think the people you describe here are in the minority. Most are thoughtful, intelligent, driven women trying to make the world better. (Though, I have encountered a few who feel women are 'superior', I have issues with that).

Answer 8

Some feminists eithier confuse feminine and feminism or hold the opinion that a man like myself cant be a feminist and they are therefore nothing but sexist sow.
Also they compare sexism to racism and wrongly conclude that like a white person cant put himself in the place of a black person a man cant put himself in the place of or speak for a woman, which is nonsence since the 2 are totally different scenarios, which have only in common that the words end on ism.

Answer 9

Probably depends on how you define feminism. Some women who call themselves feminists are man-haters. Just like there is reverse racism, there is reverse sexism. I agree with you that the point is for everyone to get along and for the old limited ideas about women to change... women held those opinions of women as well as men. It's a cultural thing, not just a "men putting women down" thing. If you're a minority wanting to be listened to, yet you won't listen to others, then why would you expect anyone to listen to you?

Answer 10

some women do that, but some dont. there are also some men who disregard a womans perspective on things(hence some of the questions and answers on here.) it's something both sexes struggle with.

Answer 11

'Feminists' - like anyone else - get tired repeating the same thing over and over and over. Imagine you were having a discussion with somebody about current events; the person with whom you are talking doesn't read quality newpapers...and instead, gets their 'information' from cranky conspiracy websites.

Why waste your energy? Move ON! This individual has no idea what they are talking about and no interest to learn.

PS: there is no such thing as "men's perspectives" because men do NOT constitute a homogeneous group - any more than 'feminists' or women do. This factoid makes your argument moot.