I’ve been running in to blogs written by men from the “Men’s Rights Movement”. I don’t know how it happened, where the first link came from. But once one popped up others followed. Too many others.
Some people say “Ignore this nonsense.” Wish I could. I notice that many if not most of these blogs have lots more people commenting than I do. That is if they’re not generating comments themselves. The point is, some of the attitudes displayed on these blogs are more common than I’d wish. Some of these attitudes find their way into public policy and even legislation. For instance, child custody and divorce legislation. [for instance, this pdf]
So, we’d better pay attention. For instance, here’s “MarkyMark” on domestic violence or “DV” as he calls it:
DV basically is anything Wifey doesn’t like, guys! Did you deny her money for that fancy, new SUV she wants, even though you can’t afford it? Guess what, you’re guilty of withholding funds! Did you prevent her from leaving with the car keys while under the influence? Guess what, you’re guilty of DV! Being a man and putting your foot down = DV these days guys. IOW, putting a stop to Wifey’s excessive spending can land you in jail.
Needless to say this is a stunning display of ignorance. And misogyny. Feminists have put “economic abuse” on a continuum of spousal control that often leads to or is part of actual violence. No one that I know has ever said that it is violence in itself and it sure isn’t a criminal offense. Scoffing a woman’s car keys isn’t an offense either though I’m sure we can all imagine circumstances in which it would be controlling and abusive.
What’s interesting about all this? Men constructing themselves as victims of powerful women who have usurped male privilege and legislators and the law itself. Haha. Ha. Choke. Matriarchy has broken out! What planet am I on then?
Notice though that the all-powerful woman is referred to in a way that diminishes her. Wifey. Wow. Sounds like a ballbuster. It doesn’t seem to take much to intimidate poor Marky.
BTW his blog is called MarkyMark’s Thoughts on Various Things. I think it’s going to be a long time before Marky has any actual thoughts. Contradict yourself much?
mirabile dictu 