Is the Men's Rights Movement inclusive toward autistic men?
I've identified as a feminist for a while (I don't think that women are superior to men or anything like that), but I am curious about the Men's Rights Movement. So far, I know that it brings up the issue of men being raped, men not having sufficient counseling for domestic abuse, and men not having shelters if they need to escape from a situation involving domestic abuse, among other things. I feel that those are legitimate issues.
In feminist discourse, I've heard the word "intersectionality" thrown around a lot. The term "intersectionality" basically addresses how race, socioeconomic class, disability, etc. can add to the disadvantages someone faces due to being a particular gender. Now, I'm curious as to how intersectionality is addressed within the Men's Rights Movement.
Now, this question is for the autistic men: do you feel that the Men's Rights Movement is inclusive toward you and the issues you face as an autistic? Do you think that the Men's Rights Movement only focuses on the issues of the most privileged of men or do you think that the Men's Rights Movement is willing to take intersectionality into account?
_________________
Hey!
Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
I'm not a usual poster on this forum, I just found this post through Google Alerts, but I have Asperger's and yes, the movement is definitely inclusive (at least the major sites).
Also, the idea that it only focuses on the most privileged men is inherently false. The members in the movement are constantly bringing up how men who aren't high status are being screwed over socially and treated as if they aren't human.
AardvarkGoodSwimmer
Veteran
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 7,660
Location: Houston, Texas
In theory, I would hope almost any human liberation movement would be in favor of such things as,
expanding the definition of normal,
people being true to their authentic selves.
In practice of course, well, we're all flawed human beings, so things might be quite a bit different.
Those are legitimate issues........ Which the Men's Rights movement points to and then does absolutely nothing about. There are Rape/DV services for men but none of those groups actually want to be assosiated with the MRA movement and it's reactionary, hateful and not at all egalitarian agenda. Good articles:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... t-mrm.html
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/i ... r-on-women
The group is very inclusive for Aspies because it's made up almost entirely of socially awkward men looking for a scapegoat (women) for thier inability to get laid and other woes. By all means join if you want to be a lonely and bitter man and certified p**** repellent. The fact that you don't seem to hate women (in fact identify as feminist) would lead me to believe that it wouldn't be a good fit for you at all really.........
Nowadays, I'm reconsidering whether or not I identify as a feminist due to some of feminism's failures to be intersectional. Oftentimes, the more privileged women would silence the voices of the less privileged women (e.g. Women of Color, transwomen, etc.).
The fact that Geekonychus said that MRM would be welcoming to Aspies because it is "made up almost entirely of socially awkward men looking for a scapegoat (women) for their inability to get laid and other woes," frightens me because I don't want a segment of the autistic community to have this mindset (what would this mean for autistic women like myself?)
On an unrelated note, every time I post something without specifying my gender, people on this site tend to assume that I am a man, which I find somewhat amusing.
_________________
Hey!
Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
I'm no expert on the "Men's Rights" movement, but my overall impression is of a lot of poorly-adjusted blokes who resent the advance of feminism for various reasons. I think that in some respects -- for instance, the right to be regarded as a child' primary caregiver where appropriate -- they may have a point, in some cases.
But men still overwhelmingly have the upper hand in society, and so what I suspect most of them want is a sort of 'Equal Opportunities' program that applies only to male interactions and hierarchies.
The idea that any of them even comprehend the idea of autistic rights -- never mind regard it as a worthwhile aspect of their cause -- I think is an optimistic illusion.
AardvarkGoodSwimmer
Veteran
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 7,660
Location: Houston, Texas
I've been involved in activism on and off even since the peace movement during the first Persian Gulf war way back in 1991. Activism can be disappointing. There can be as much hierarchy and social climbing in an activist group as anywhere else.
Instead of just putting forward my own ideas, I'm starting to explore leadership by building others and being the first follower, still being my own person of course. For example, at a meeting about electronic voting and democracy, one of the leaders said, This system gives paper receipts, but that is not the same as paper ballots. I raised my hand and said, Even if it's not intended that way, can't we still use a paper receipt as a paper ballot? He responded, and the conversation was pushed a step further I think in a positive way. Now, the interesting thing is, I didn't really know much about this issue and I think I was more effective precisely because I didn't know much about this issue. So when I raised a question about an issue which was unclear to me, it was probably unclear to other people as well.
Another thing I do, is not speak but stay present in case someone else is attacked. Which does happen. At times I think it's some bastardized form of group solidarity by having some 'other' to jointly attack. For example, at a Unitarian Church small group discussion on medical care, a man said, when I go to the doctor for something wrong with my elbow, I don't want the doctor to be all warm and fuzzy, I want the doctor to know his or her stuff. This might seem like a pretty innocuous comment, but about two, then three people criticized this guy about this (maybe they thought his comment was implied criticism of what they had said before). So I easily defended him, saying I think _____ raises a very good point, first and foremost a doctor does need to be technically competent and know his or her stuff. In fact, it's generally easy to defend other people, whereas it can be pretty hard to defend yourself.
Most commonly at an activist meeting, you're simply ignored.
I think some people go to activist meetings amost like they go to the movies, and meeting other people is just not majorly on the radar screen. Or, they already have a full social plate, that kind of thing.
Geekonychus clearly doesn't know a thing. Some of the most active members in the men's rights movement are women (GirlWritesWhat and TyphonBlue, for example). Furthermore, some of the male members are male victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault or even rape - does that sound like they're just bitter that they can't attract women to you?
Maybe he should read less third-party articles about the movement, and do more original research.
Same with CharityFunDay. How the fact that more men choose to pursue certain jobs means all men have the upper hand is beyond me. As for the M(H)RM supporting autistic rights being an illusion? I've mention to them on multiple occasions that I have Asperger's, and have never received any hostility.
Maybe he should read less third-party articles about the movement, and do more original research.
Same with CharityFunDay. How the fact that more men choose to pursue certain jobs means all men have the upper hand is beyond me. As for the M(H)RM supporting autistic rights being an illusion? I've mention to them on multiple occasions that I have Asperger's, and have never received any hostility.
I questioned the credibility of the articles he sent me too.
_________________
Hey!
Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
I didn't say that the fact that more men choose to pursue certain careers meant that all men have the upper hand.
What I meant was that we still live in a male-dominated society, despite the advances made in favour of women's rights, and that this places preference on male interpersonal standards and norms, to which women are (unfairly) meant to adjust.
As for the fact that you have never received any hostility from MRA for declaring your AS, this is very very far from being the same thing as the MRA movement actively promoting neurodiversity. They might be interested in promoting what they perceived to be your rights as a male, but do you really think that they have given a moment's thought to your needs as an autistic? If you do, I would suggest that you are at best naïve.
Which is because more men choose to pursue those powerful jobs. Also, the second part is inherently false as affirmative action law requires that companies cater to the needs of women.
So unless a movement is actively fighting the issues of a certain group, then they're exclusive and discriminatory against that group?
By that logic, this forum condones murder because they aren't posting daily anti-murder messages.
I can't comment on the first part of your assertion without seeing relevant interview/hiring statistics. As for the second (a) I don't live in an 'affirmative action' jurisdiction and (b) I'm not so sure that 'affirmative action' encompasses taking into account characteristically female modes of conduct.
No, that's not what I said.
What I said was that the MRA movement does not have as one of its core considerations equality of provision for neurodiversity. If it does, then I'm sure there would be positive evidence to that effect.
Don't be silly.
Metalwolf
Veteran
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Posts: 948
Location: Pennsylvania 78787878 787878 7878787878787878
Maybe he should read less third-party articles about the movement, and do more original research.
Same with CharityFunDay. How the fact that more men choose to pursue certain jobs means all men have the upper hand is beyond me. As for the M(H)RM supporting autistic rights being an illusion? I've mention to them on multiple occasions that I have Asperger's, and have never received any hostility.
I could tell you that many many women would support services for male victims of rape, domestic violence, whatever. But these 'men's rights' sites are doing more harm then good, because they then advocate and approve committing the same type of crimes against women. They become little more then hypocrites.
I would say to actually look up those sites, and see if they are as 'innocent' as you'd like to believe. Is domestic violence condemned, and are women talked about as equals? You'll get your clue from the general attitude.
_________________
Crispy Pickles!!
Maybe he should read less third-party articles about the movement, and do more original research.
Same with CharityFunDay. How the fact that more men choose to pursue certain jobs means all men have the upper hand is beyond me. As for the M(H)RM supporting autistic rights being an illusion? I've mention to them on multiple occasions that I have Asperger's, and have never received any hostility.
I could tell you that many many women would support services for male victims of rape, domestic violence, whatever. But these 'men's rights' sites are doing more harm then good, because they then advocate and approve committing the same type of crimes against women. They become little more then hypocrites.
I would say to actually look up those sites, and see if they are as 'innocent' as you'd like to believe. Is domestic violence condemned, and are women talked about as equals? You'll get your clue from the general attitude.
This^^^^
Go on the Men's Rights Subreddit and see how long you can read the topic response without puking. That would give you a good indication of whether you want to be involved.
Egalitarian Men's rights groups that work alongside feminist groups have done far more to help male victims of rape, assualt and domestic violence then the MRA movement ever did. MRAs are more conscerned with screaming about the "evils of femisinsm" and blaming it for the downfall of western society than actually helping men.
It's already happened. This mindset is all over othe WP forum, especially in the "love & dating" section. There are users who will refuse to acknowledge the opinions of Aspie women or act downright hostile to them.
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
Disability Rights |
26 Feb 2024, 10:03 pm |
A counterpoint to Autistic Supremacy? Autistic Inferiority? |
26 Feb 2024, 1:46 pm |
Handbook for autistic-autistic social interactions |
08 Feb 2024, 1:31 pm |
Are autistic people expected to like famous autistic people? |
01 Feb 2024, 10:31 pm |