Gender parity in the UK
This edition of The Equalogist is a bit different. There have been lots of positive developments since the last issue and there are also some serious challenges to face.
We are now active on Twitter: @GenderParityUK
Positive developments
International Men’s Day
Mark Brooks reports that International Men’s Day UK in 2020 was a great success.
- 195,000 tweets (the biggest trend in the UK for 14 hours) and the “hottest trends of the day”
- Over 150+ events https://ukmensday.org.uk/organisations-supporting-international-mens-day/
- Hundreds and hundreds of brilliant charities, public services, businesses big/small, football clubs, politicians, police, NHS and the public.
- Phenomenal support through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
Media Articles:
- Telegraph: International Men’s Day is a Counter-Culture Success Story, Why the pandemic is weighing heavily on midlife men and The unsung event which champions men’s rights around the world (You need a subscription)
- Independent: What is International Men’s Day and What Does It Mean and Why International Men’s is Vital to Ask the Questions (No subscription needed)
- BBC: ITV’s Loose Men discuss mental health on International Men’s Day
House of Commons debate
The debate this year was led by Ben Bradley MP. Philip Davies, who, in the past, has been something of a lone voice, was joined by about 6 other MPs who were all promoting action on men’s issues such as suicide, mental health, boy’s school underachievement etc. Only 1 hour long, it is worth a watch to get a feeling of how things are moving on. Note an important new ally: Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Equalities.
The House of Commons library compiled a report for the session which Philip Davies recommended MPs read. It’s actually quite good! We can use extracts as references as it will be more likely to be believed than simply stating things ourselves.
Minister for Men
During his speech, Bradley asked “Why have a Minister for Women, but not one for Men?” In her reply, Kemi Badenoch said she would raise the issue with the PM. Sounds like progress to me. Here’s the two clips (40 secs). There’s more info on this Gender Parity UK page.
Gender Parity UK are in contact with both these MPs and will be working with Bradley to promote a Minister for Men.
ICMI20 (International Conference on Men’s Issues 2020)
As advertised in the last Equalogist, this was a virtual conference over several days, shared with Ear for Men in the US and J4MB in the UK. Around 120 videos are available, many of high quality. See the full playlist here.
Effecting change
While many videos highlighted problems, some looked at how change happens. One is my: ‘From Outrage to Engagement’, about work which engages with the system. Another is this novel approach from Romanian philosopher Lucian Valsan – ‘The Inflection Point in the Narrative Curve’. He argues that all changes follow a particular pattern and that ‘men’s issues’ is approaching an ‘infection point’ where real progress can be made.
Dad-friendly adverts
A couple of ads which are really dad-friendly: The latest Coca-Cola one is really positive (if a bit OTT in places), but this older Cheerios one could even be used to help young men see how to be a great Dad (without the cheesy Cheerios bit at the end).
Are these a sign that the woke-narrative is starting to falter?
Challenges
Misogyny, Hate Crime legislation
There is a well-funded, well-organised campaign which aims to make misogyny a hate crime. If you are found guilty of a hate-crime, you receive a longer/harsher sentence than for the same non-hate offence.
This sounds OK doesn’t it? Except when you look at the definition they are promoting for misogyny (hatred of women): they claim that all abuse/violence against women is motivated by hate!
There are two initiatives at the moment:
A private members Hate Crime (Misogyny) Bill by LibDem MP Wera Hobhouse which has its Second Reading on 15th Jan 2021.
A consultation by the Law Commission on Hate Crime. This is potentially much more dangerous. Chapter 12 (50 pages!) aims to prove that all male abuse of females is motivated by hate. If this to become law, if, for example, you had an argument with your partner which escalated to mutual abuse, the male would be charged with a hate crime and the female would not.
Writing to your MP would be helpful – some may not have even noticed what’s happening.
Myth: Fathers are abusive to their children
(The anti-male narrative is supported by myths. Gender Parity UK is creating pages to refute them.)
All the evidence points to the benefits of shared parenting: the child having a proper relationship and quality time with both parents after separation. Of course, there are very rare occasions where things go wrong and the child is hurt by one parent.
Campaigners pick on these isolated incidents of a father hurting his child during court-ordered contact and are putting pressure on the government to remove even the existing, limited assumption of shared contact by the father.
Extras
Got an item for the next edition? Have feedback, news, events, errors etc? Like to join the team? Email: Equalogist@genderparity.uk
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