Calling London dads! Free "learn to build a rocket" workshop inc food/drink

lostinrates

picklekin wrote: »

This is probably one of the few charities allowed to exclude by law then, unless THIS event is a charity, which I think it isn't then women CAN go if they choose.

I think its wrong to exclude by sex, if this event is aimed at secondary carers then that's fine, but I think events like this just encourage the background level casual sexism we are told we have to learn to live with. I used to get mad every time I saw the Iceland advert so it does go both ways.

Why do men need time to "be men"? Do you talk about your penises? Or do you talk about science, football and having a beer etc, all activities other women could happily join in on!

*climbs off soapbox*

There are plenty of times to be offended my sexism. We should have rights to choose careers we want, have equal rights as parents, voters, in choices in life etc etc.

But you know, as a woman with a pretty diverse spread of friends, sometimes is like to have a 'ladies lunch' or afternoon.

What we talk about? Well, sometimes its clothes, horses ( lots of us are horsey) sometimes it is bodies and health, or bodies and fashion ...in a very unserious way...depilation or knickers ( which to buy ). Some times its more serious issues of impacts divorce ,being single, health problems and sexual insecurity.

Some people prefer single sex gyms, so long as there is a choice of mixed sex gyms.....or rocket making is it a problem if some people feel the need for a boys day? I think girls and rocket making interest I. Science is a strong argument for desirability of this, but that doesn't mean that there isn't need for boys and fathers to do something too.

picklekin

I do take your point, but I think there is a difference between having a friends lunch where you naturally gravitate towards the occasional single sex outing, and an event marketed in this way. Its the promotion of the idea I think allows a continuation of societies belief that women should be in one box and that men should be in another.

RedBern

picklekin wrote: »

This is probably one of the few charities allowed to exclude by law then, unless THIS event is a charity, which I think it isn't then women CAN go if they choose.

I think its wrong to exclude by sex, if this event is aimed at secondary carers then that's fine, but I think events like this just encourage the background level casual sexism we are told we have to learn to live with. I used to get mad every time I saw the Iceland advert so it does go both ways.

Why do men need time to "be men"? Do you talk about your penises? Or do you talk about science, football and having a beer etc, all activities other women could happily join in on!

*climbs off soapbox*

Apart from what's already been mentioned, about just being a way to encourage men to be more involved with playing with their children, and if you open it up widely it will just be full of mums and their children like lots of other activities.

There's a point you've made about what men talk about. Sadly, men don't talk about their penises or about minor niggly health problems in a way that women do! Sadly, lots of men don't mention to their mates that they've found a lump in their testicles, or that they have a problem and share it in the same way that women do. We go through the indignities of smear tests and mammograms, and can joke about it with our friends who have to go through similar. Men don't discuss their minor ailments with their mates, and generally their health problems, by the time they do go to the doctor, are more advanced.

This day is just a way of giving men the freedom to be able to meet up with other dads, can't see the problem with it. (*steps off my soapbox.... )

[Deleted User]

Sadly I wasn't able to go; ironically because I wanted to stay and help my wife through some stressful revision for a professional exam

I guess i'll need to find some mentos, diet coke, vinegar and baking soda then get experimenting. It's that or teach my 5 year old how to make thermite...