Does anyone else see the MRM as lacking a global perspective?

jolly_mcfats · 2013-05-17T21:31:54+00:00

MRAs don't see the universalist approach of feminism to be a good thing. We don't aim to be the wal-mart of social justice; with an aisle for every conceivable concern. Being a mens right activist means that you are willing to advocate for men's rights- it does not mean that you can't be an activist for other causes as well. Being focused on one simple thing will, hopefully, mean that that one thing gets done well. Feminism claims to address all sorts of issues, including men's rights- but in practice, I haven't seen much truth to back the claim, and I cynically would say that what movement we HAVE seen towards mens rights in feminism is a direct reaction to the MRM.

So: why do you think that a grand unified social movement is going to be more effective than a series of specialist movements (men's rights, women's rights, prevention of animal cruelty, fighting global warming, etc...) dedicated to specific problems? I'd agree that I'd hope, ultimately, for a gender egalitarian movement, but not before men have had a chance to examine and articulate their gender issues in a similar manner to that of feminism. And no- all of history hasn't been one long articulation of male gender issues- it has been one long ADVERTISEMENT for the things that create male gender issues.

I'd also suggest that feminism is more global than the MRM in part because it is a victim of its' own success. There are very few examples of women being disadvantaged in terms of legal rights and opportunities in the West. Where there are such complaints of discrimination against women, it occurs against a legal system where such discrimination is illegal and actionable. (attribution: femdelusion) Because of this, feminists need to widen the scope of their activism or lose relevancy. The MRM is more concerned with the west now, because there is a lot of work to be done at home. However, we do frequently try to draw attention to stories like this, and this.

memymineown · 2013-05-17T20:55:22+00:00

Except that feminism does not address the issues all people face in any country.

It is focused on women's problems in the western countries. Men in those countries and everyone in other countries can go fuck themselves.

Aaod · 2013-05-17T22:10:09+00:00

MRAs seem extremely uninterested in the struggles women face in other nations.

Because it isn't our struggle. Which concerns you more the stuff happening in your backyard or far away? We don't even have funds or the organization to support what we are working on see the closing of the only Canadian mens shelter and suicide of its founder due to lack of funds for an example. We lack government funds unlike feminist groups. We can not even take care of ourselves and our issues much less those in foreign lands. Most of us can agree those things are bad but lack the ability to do anything about it. Very very few of us are okay with oppression of women and the majority of us think it is a really terrible thing that happens in those countries. We due question the narrative at times though such as yes women in certain countries are oppressed but they also have less responsibility to go with it when the men in those countries are forced to provide for their wives or they are not considered men. This is getting into gender roles in society/societies which is a much larger topic so I will drop it.

We have a lack of voice in the government and no lobbying unlike feminist organizations. Millions of dollars are poured into feminist groups and lots of that goes into lobbying and supporting political candidates we have none of this and frankly politicians do not give a shit about men.

Another factor is the fact it is not really our fight. It is akin to asking a group of volunteers who pick up along the road near where they live why they are also not picking up trash at the nearby mall.

Feminism addresses the issues all people in these nations, regardless of gender, face in regards to poverty, religious persecution, and race; I don't see similar critiques in the MRM.

Actually you do not. If I remember right in war torn countries with rape epidemics the women are finding help but the men who have also been raped have zero help and support. What has feminism done to help men in these countries or in other countries overall? You concentrate on helping women in other countries which is great but you also exclude or ignore men. You are likely to give the argument that you only have so much aid to give and it is a valid argument but now you see why we have no aid to give.

You are approaching feminism as a all encompassing ideology when it really is not and is more interested in helping women. If it helps men as well great if not meh oh well.

Overall asking why MRAs are uninterested in helping women in other countries is like asking someone working a minimum wage job why s/he is not donating to NASA when they do not live in the USA. I do agree we need a ask MRA subreddit just as much as we need a feminist/mra debate subreddit.

OuiCrudites · 2013-05-17T22:42:26+00:00

Feminism does NOT address the struggles women face in other countries. They have stood by with their thumbs up their butts while the Obama administration financially and militarily supports Middle Eastern and North African countries that are RAPIDLY regressing women's rights. Feminism cares not.
It's not the MRM's job to highlight the plight of women in other countries. If people want to be egalitarians and humanists and highlight those things, I think that's great. I do, and I know other people in the MRM do. But it's not the job of the MRM to do so.

prada_goddess · 2013-05-17T23:12:19+00:00

First off, as said in many others, feminism doesn't do what you claim. Read any feminist website, they are for equal rights for women. Men are not part of that equation. Don't get me wrong, they do a great job at addressing issues related to women. Just as you pointed out, economies can benefit from said progress.

But me let me put this to you, if you believe that letting women work will expand the economy, what about the many men in jail for non-violent drug offenses? They are mainly men, and take up roughly 1 in 6 people in prison. Many of these men are fathers, so their children are growing up without a father, which we know means they are less likely to stay in school, and more likely to join gangs and be involved in crimes. So tell me, with this drug war being so harming not just to people (mainly men) but to families, where is feminism on this issue? I do not hate them for it, it isn't their fight, but they don't even address this issue.

Another thing to remember is that MRA is global. There was a video on here recently about MRA protests found around the world. We know we have a strong position in India, Mexico, Spain, UK, and many other countries.

That said, MRAs are trying to address issues related to men. MRAs do not claim to be for both genders (like feminism). We admit that we are aiming to address issues that directly affect men.

I hope that clear things up for you, we are active around the world, but we address issues where men are getting a raw deal (like 50% longer jail sentences), and let's be honest, in most countries men don't get the raw deal. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, or can't happen though.

EvilPundit · 2013-05-17T23:14:46+00:00

Feminism addresses the issues all people in these nations, regardless of gender, face

No, it does not. That is simply a false assertion.

Feminism addresses issues faced by women - and only a select few of those issues.

Go read the FAQs before you post such nonsense. Or better yet, just read the FAQs and don't post at all.

rightsbot · 2013-05-17T20:46:18+00:00

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Title	Does anyone else see the MRM as lacking a global perspective?
Author	why_fist_puppies
Upvotes	0
Comments	17
Date	May 17, 2013 8:45 PM UTC (13 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/mensrights/comments/1ejg1p/does-anyone-else-see-the-mrm-as-lacking-a-global-/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/does-anyone-else-see-the-mrm-as-lacking-a-global.1612868 https://theredarchive.com/post/1612868

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