Not sure if r/MensRights is aware of the Men's Sheds idea that has sprung up in Australia recently. I have been active in my local one for quite some time, and would encourage those of you with one nearby to get involved.

VortexCortex · 2013-10-18T06:47:12+00:00

It's not the same as Men's Sheds, but Maker Spaces and Hacker Spaces (and to a lesser degree Gamejams) are also great for connecting with men.

Contrary to popular belief men are typically better at picking up on non-verbal communication skills... Women communicate sexual attraction thus. Men may not feel the need to verbally expound on our feelings to connect on emotional levels as much as women. It's not that men are typically emotionally disconnected, they just connect in different ways.

There's something really great about building or making something with others. The bonding and friendships found in the wake of collaborative effort is great. Here in the US it would be nigh on impossible to create male-only spaces, but what's funny is that if you require a bit of grueling and largely thankless sacrifice -- Slaving away on an engine / codebase / game engine / etc. Then you filter out the folks you can't feel comfortable around -- everyone there winds up being "one of the guys"... regardless of sex.

I still think men need their man-spaces to be men in, and I wish Men's Sheds could take off where I live. For now I find something similar in the indie game collectives and hacker spaces -- Despite zero barrier to entry, there's essentially no women. It's not that we're sexist, it's just that given the opportunity, women would rather do something else.

nickmista · 2013-10-18T11:59:18+00:00

This sounds like a great idea. I didn't know they existed I found a few nearby I might try them out someday. At the moment though I think I'm a bit below the average demographic age. I'll definitely keep it in mind though thanks for the post.

CosmicKeys · 2013-10-18T05:48:34+00:00

Australia seems to be doing some great things, they have them started in NZ but it's not as organized as this. And they do good things for the community, build playgrounds for kids, fix toys, help locals out... really selfless and caring men.

And what do you know? Women are able to join too.

Tamen_ · 2013-10-18T12:45:57+00:00

They are trying to launch this in the UK as well, with a launch the 6th of November in London: http://menssheds.org.uk/index.php/events

According to the Men's Sheds' WIkipedia page they also exist in Scotland, Ireland, Finland and Greece.

I'll just include this link for the idiocy of it.

Apellosine · 2013-10-18T13:24:05+00:00

Yeah I have definitely gotten involved with my dad as a way for both us to make some new mates and spend some time together.

Revoran · 2013-10-18T13:57:58+00:00

Yeah I've been involved with my local one. I found out about them because my pop used to go to one before he passed away recently. Good stuff.

2013-10-18T16:29:38+00:00

Professor Barry Golding, Men’s Shed researcher from the University of Ballarat, stated in his key note address that “Men don’t talk face to face they talk shoulder to shoulder”. This drew unanimous mutterings of approval from all 350 delegates and the quote became the Australian Men's Shed Associations motto.

From what I've read so far, this sounds like a really great organization.

HolySchmoly · 2013-10-18T11:32:24+00:00

Yes. A man needs a shed like a dog needs a doghouse. Woof, woof!

EDIT: To be clear, I support the Men's Sheds idea. Getting couped up in the hen house for too long just drives you crazy.

WyldStallions · 2013-10-18T09:37:28+00:00

I live here in Adelaide and I never heard that.

Sounds like something a buthurt radfem SRS SJW would say, not saying your friend is just saying I am sure they would want to discredit it.

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