You wouldn't know it to look at them, but men have it really rough these days. Every time they want to hang out around children, someone looks at them like they're a bunch of perverts. Take the play center in England that has declared itself a woman-only zone. They've even barred all boys over the age of 9.
What is this, The Little Rascals? Do they have a He-Woman Man Haters sign for the place?
I never really realized how hard it was to be a man around kids until I had my daughter. That's when my husband became a father, and my brother became an uncle. And that's when the world started treating them like they had something to hide because they're men who actually like being around kids. Well, one is around his kid, one around his niece, but that doesn't seem to matter to some people.
Fathers. Uncles. They're all treated like freaks by ridiculous rules like the one at this play center. The amount of time they put into nurturing these children is ignored, and they're shuffled into a little box marked "scary" -- not because of any proof but because they happen to have a penis.
Not fair, huh?
The bizarre gender separating decision by the play center is being defended as a move to be respectful to the Muslim community that makes use of the facility. Which would sound better if it wasn't pissing off Muslim dads right and left. Turns out they -- like any normal, caring dad -- want to just take their kids to the play center. They don't see a reason for gender division.
So if you take religion out of it, what's left? Fear.
Is that what we really want to raise our kids with? Fear of the other gender?
Attention, world, if you want men to be involved with their children's lives, it's about time you stop treating them all like they have ulterior motives and want to touch our kids in inappropriate places. If you want to raise boys who will respect girls, teach them to be respectful. Otherwise you're just making the two sides more fearful.
Would you be afraid to take your kids to a play center or park because there were dads or older boys there?
Image via stev.ie/Flickr
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Comments 19
Wow! I agree with Jeanne Sager. Are pigs flying?
absolutely not! on fathers day my husband and i went to the playground with our daughter, there were pretty much only men there, watching and playing with their kids and i felt no fear from them. Fathers have that mama bear instinct too. no dad would want their child hurt anymore than a mother would. just last night, 1130pm, we were watching a movie when a child started SCREAMING outside. we heard a male voice scream STOP FUCKING SCREAMING! i grabbed my phone t call the police but my husband was already on it. he has that feirce protectiveness for children just as us moms do. (turns out they were doing a camping thing in the backyard, and the kid wanted to get closer to the fire and threw a fit when her dad said no)
I read all the time that moms think they are more vital to their children then their fathers and I completely disagree.
My husband and I have talked about this issue several times over the almost 6 years since our daughter was born. Since then we've had a son and have another boy on the way. When my husband would take our daughter out on his own, which he did and continues to do with both kids about once a week, he would get dirty, suspicious looks from all sides. Didn't matter what age my daughter was, from infant to 5 years, if he was out with her by himself, he was treated like a pedophile. It's better when both kids are with him, but he still isn't treated with the same ease and sometimes warmth I am. I think it helps that our son is extremely social at almost 2 1/2, and says "Hi!" and waves to everyone.
It's really sad and infuriating that fathers who actually ARE involved in their kids' lives and take enjoyment from it are treated this way. I thought this was a behavior and attitude we wanted to encourage in our male counterparts, but it seems like women are the ones who are perpetuating this! You can't complain about the lack of involved dads then treat them like shit when they're out with their kisd.
And Curves is an entire gym for women only.
Don't forget girls' only cheerleading, volleyball, etc.
Sometimes, a woman needs a place to go, where there are no men, to relax, play with kids, work out, whatever.
If its not discriminatory to have "gentlemans clubs" or womens gyms, then neither is this.
I see your point, Mutts. However, this about a children's play place that has essentially banned fathers, grandfathers, and uncles along with little boys. That doesn't strike you as even a little bit off?