this post was submitted on 31 May 2025
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And I would agree. Men in a group setting of only men will typically behave entirely differently than if you drop even a single woman into their midst. A man who is only among men will open up and behave and accept constructive criticism in ways that he will never do with even a single woman present. The change in behaviour a man exhibits in the presence of a woman is instinctual and unconscious, and is unable to be controlled or even moderated by the vast majority of men out there.
Having male-only spaces is absolutely essential to allowing men to behave as they would without the unconscious/instinctual pressure they would be subject to with a woman present.
Too bad these kinds of places are “misogynistic” in ways that women-only spaces are “not misandric”. The gender bigotry and hypocrisy in this dichotomy is blindingly overwhelming.
I'm not saying you are categorically wrong about the benefits of male-only spaces. But I will say that the attitude and language with which you are approaching the issue is not doing you any favors.
Just to reinforce: male-only spaces are patriarchy, and there is no end to it or equality unless we end a specific sex-only space.
Like women-only gyms? DV shelters only for women? Shelters for homeless parents that service only mothers with children?
If that is what is needed to reach true equality, then I’m all for it.
However, I think tearing down useful gender-specific spaces is far more damaging than simply providing such spaces equally to both genders.