# Men's Rights Movement may have a big future. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049 "2013-04-07T01:15:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/1 "2013-04-07T01:15:53Z")
I believe that in the Social Network Age, Men’s Rights Movement has a potential to attract millions of followers. First of all, there are several ways in which men are discriminated, and thus need advocacy: – Men are discriminated in divorce cases. – Even though at the very least 20% of domestic violence victims are men, there is [severe discrimination](http://wordpress.clarku.edu/dhines/files/2012/01/Douglas-Hines-2011-helpseeking-experiences-of-male-victims.pdf) against them. And that effects at least hundreds of thousands of men. – Given that many or most sex crime convictions are based on the accuser’s word alone, many of USA’s 970,000 sex offenders may be innocent. – Men are discriminated by the criminal justice system. – The media contains a lot of male – bashing that would have been unacceptable had genders been reversed. Feminists have argued that women are faced with more important issues, and that women are generally more ethical then men. Nevertheless, many men and some women believe that even if more important people are faced with more important issues, men still have legal and moral right to voice their issues. The second reason why men’s movement may attract millions of followers is that many men already doubt the idea that men are privileged oppressors. Thus, only 20% of men consider themselves feminist and [8% of men](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_and_feminism) consider themselves antifeminist. The third reason why men’s movement may become powerful is that even most feminists see such potential. If that was not the case they would not have expanded so much energy trying to silence the men’s movement. Recent events at the [University of Toronto](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvYyGTmcP80) are an example. I am not saying the men’s movement will become powerful because those who see it as a threat may succeed in imposing strict censorship on all of the major social networks – then the movement may not become powerful in this century. Can our society accept the end of free speech? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/2 "2013-04-07T01:30:17Z")
Preach it. Now if we can only get the organization and all the little chores of organization and networking going we can succeed. But since no money, sports, pussy or snack foods are involved I don’t know of any man who will do it. Damn our lack of social skills. If only border collies had opposable thumbs and could talk, they could get this going. The above is an attempt at sarcasm. Do not attempt at home or in the presence of a humorless entity, irony poisoning could ensue. If you are given the silent treatment, do not let your merriment become visible, otherwise the silent treatment will end. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/3 "2013-04-07T01:48:15Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > I believe that in the Social Network Age, Men’s Rights Movement has a potential to attract millions of followers. First of all, there are several ways in which men are discriminated, and thus need advocacy: > > – Men are discriminated in divorce cases. > > – Even though at the very least 20% of domestic violence victims are men, there is [severe discrimination](http://wordpress.clarku.edu/dhines/files/2012/01/Douglas-Hines-2011-helpseeking-experiences-of-male-victims.pdf) against them. And that effects at least hundreds of thousands of men. > > – Given that many or most sex crime convictions are based on the accuser’s word alone, many of USA’s 970,000 sex offenders may be innocent. > > – Men are discriminated by the criminal justice system. > > – The media contains a lot of male – bashing that would have been unacceptable had genders been reversed. > > Feminists have argued that women are faced with more important issues, and that women are generally more ethical then men. Nevertheless, many men and some women believe that even if more important people are faced with more important issues, men still have legal and moral right to voice their issues. > > The second reason why men’s movement may attract millions of followers is that many men already doubt the idea that men are privileged oppressors. Thus, only 20% of men consider themselves feminist and > [8% of men](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_and_feminism) consider themselves antifeminist. > > The third reason why men’s movement may become powerful is that even most feminists see such potential. If that was not the case they would not have expanded so much energy trying to silence the men’s movement. Recent events at the [University of Toronto](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvYyGTmcP80) are an example. > > I am not saying the men’s movement will become powerful because those who see it as a threat may succeed in imposing strict censorship on all of the major social networks – then the movement may not become powerful in this century. Can our society accept the end of free speech? I’m not sure journalism is the field for you. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/4 "2013-04-07T01:52:33Z")
> [@colander](#): > > I’m not sure journalism is the field for you. I know I can be fired for such views. Thus I hope that 80% of my articles will not be gender – related. It does take skill. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/5 "2013-04-07T01:56:44Z")
I don’t think you will get fired for your views. I think you will fail to be hired due to your inability to write clear and correct English. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/6 "2013-04-07T01:58:08Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > – Given that many or most sex crime convictions are based on the accuser’s word alone, many of USA’s 970,000 sex offenders may be innocent. The conviction rate in rape cases in the UK is [a mere 7%](http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/25/rape-myths-low-conviction-rate), and last I heard it’s similar in the US; the linked article suggests that in fact, the lack of witnesses leads to this low rate. Want to rethink that claim? ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/7 "2013-04-07T02:05:48Z")
I won’t argue this on the merits, just the logistics. Let’s face it guys, which gender will sell out their principles faster if provided the right “incentive?” That’s right. Strap on a dead gazelle and stroll through Six Flags Wild Safari. You’ll last longer. I’m sorry, I only speak the truth. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/8 "2013-04-07T02:08:42Z")
I think a social justice movement by and for men that deals with the discrimination men face is long overdo. The feminist movement deals with men’s issues to a large extent, but feminists (rightly) feel it isn’t their job to deal with the oppression of men and toxic masculinity in our culture, especially at the expense of women and their issues. However, the Men’s Rights Movement as it is today is just a hate group. They achieve nothing, and they seek to achieve nothing, save harassing feminists. It’s just a bunch of misogynists. But I think a true movement for men should happen, and as a feminist myself, I absolutely support men’s rights. Just not the MRM. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/9 "2013-04-07T02:14:49Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > However, the Men’s Rights Movement as it is today is just a hate group. They achieve nothing, and they seek to achieve nothing, save harassing feminists. It’s just a bunch of misogynists. Today the movement consists mostly of men, many of whom have suffered very much. If the movement is not censored, it will incorporate millions of “average” men and some women – then extremists will be a minority. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/10 "2013-04-07T02:21:21Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > – Men are discriminated in divorce cases. I believe this to be quite true actually. Beginning now my ex is living on her salary plus half of mine. And she won’t be paying taxes of the half of mine that I give her. The pendulum has swung too far to the other side. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/11 "2013-04-07T02:25:17Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I believe this to be quite true actually. Beginning now my ex is living on her salary plus half of mine. And she won’t be paying taxes of the half of mine that I give her. > > The pendulum has swung too far to the other side. Alimony? Or child support? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/12 "2013-04-07T02:26:29Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > If the movement is not censored, it will incorporate millions of “average” men and some women – then extremists will be a minority. No it won’t; millions of men aren’t discriminated against in day-to-day life. There are issues that need to be addressed but it’s not something that permeates society enough that it needs a widespread movement. For the majority of men, it’s a non-issue. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/13 "2013-04-07T02:27:48Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Today the movement consists mostly of men, many of whom have suffered very much. If the movement is not censored, it will incorporate millions of “average” men and some women – then extremists will be a minority. It won’t, though. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/14 "2013-04-07T02:32:17Z")
> [@colander](#): > > It won’t, though. Only time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/15 "2013-04-07T02:45:20Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Alimony? Or child support? Both. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/16 "2013-04-07T03:04:04Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Both. So when you said “my ex” you meant “my ex plus our child(ren)”? So not what you said at all? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/17 "2013-04-07T03:05:18Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > So when you said “my ex” you meant “my ex plus our child(ren)”? > > So not what you said at all? Sue me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/18 "2013-04-07T04:33:11Z")
> [@deltasigma](#): > > I won’t argue this on the merits, just the logistics. Let’s face it guys, which gender will sell out their principles faster if provided the right “incentive?” > > That’s right. Strap on a dead gazelle and stroll through Six Flags Wild Safari. You’ll last longer. I’m sorry, I only speak the truth. ☹ The first paragraph was an unanswered question. The second paragraph was word salad worthy of a schizophrenic. What did you mean, if anything? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/19 "2013-04-07T04:50:26Z")
The AWAGL\* movement may get larger, that’s ok, it’s less competition for the rest of us. \*Assholes Who Aren’t Getting Laid ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049/20 "2013-04-07T04:56:15Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The AWAGL\* movement may get larger, that’s ok, it’s less competition for the rest of us. > \*Assholes Who Aren’t Getting Laid That’s exactly what I was thinking. Seems like every book or website devoted to men’s rights devotes half the text to complaints about custody and financial support after divorce, and half to complaints about being denied a rightful proportion of pussy guaranteed by our constitution or some blather. Seriously reduces the legitimacy of the entire campaign. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-movement-may-have-a-big-future/655049.md?page=2)