In an Irish Independent article, Betty Cody gives an overview of how society has changed and sends inconsistent messages to men. The article begins with the question, "Do we really need men?" and then meanders along stating some of the problems men have faced with the breakdown of rigid roles for men and women. Overall, I found her tone clinical and unfeeling, and her description of men pretty negative overall (ie, fathers are "not particularly competent" at housework and taking care of their kids). But at least in the end she promotes the idea that men need more advocacy for their issues and that they're not receiving it. It's kind of a lukewarm article.

Trudy W Schuett writes "Ms. Magazine is now owned by the Feminist Majority Foundation. The magazine's offices will move to Los Angeles in Spring 2002. Most of the New York staff has been laid off." As Wendy McElroy put it in her latest ifeminist newsletter, "all attention seems to be focused on the Women of Afghanistan. It is as tho' radical feminism has abandoned domestic politics."

Yes, you read that right...there are only a few strings attached. For only $249, residents of California can now complete all divorce proceedings though a web site, without having to walk into a courtroom. The service can only be used if the couple is divorcing amicably and can agree on asset distribution and child custody. Still, it's surreal to think of people divorcing this way. And my favorite quote in the article: "I really don't believe having something available that makes it easier and costs less money is going to encourage divorce." Uh-huh. Click here for the story from the LA Times.

In one of the most disturbing moves since Ontario's Bill 117, I learned from this UK Independent story that a new law will allow third parties to bring charges of domestic violence against the victim's will. The move is meant to protect women who are too afraid or unwilling to press charges against their abuser. Most disturbingly, "Possible candidates for this role include social services departments, voluntary groups working with survivors of domestic violence as well as the police." The second group is the one I'm most concerned about.

Mike from Men's News Daily writes "This article promotes a new web site/organization that tackles female violence against males." The couple mentioned in the story created the web site HelpingMen.com, which is soliciting personal stories from site visitors. If you'd like to share your story, please stop by there. Update: The link no longer works, but I'd still encourage you to visit helpingmen.com for more info.

Mike LaSalle from Men's News Daily writes "This article from the Sydney Morning Herald purports to document the wage gap between men and women. Another article (this one from the University of Virginia Cavalier Daily), succinctly refutes the superficial reporting of the first. The SMH article appears pitched at an "elementary-school" reading level, while of course the latter article is written by and for a college audience..."

Neil Steyskal writes "The Washington Post is promoting San Francisco's use of hair stylists to help abused women, but the program ignores the men who are victims. Remind them about the abused men: letters@washpost.com."

Neil Steyskal submitted this story from the Sydney Morning Herald about body dysmorphic disorder in men. This is a little talked about problem, and one that is on the rise: "In this month's British Medical Journal, two researchers, Australian David Castle and American Katharine Phillips say body image is becoming almost as big an issue for men as for women...Castle says: "We want people to be healthy, but on the other hand if you look at the sort of images we are being flooded with, nobody could achieve those looks - looks which are extreme.""

I've two articles for your reading on this topic. Tammy Bruce, in her book The New Thought Police says that "political correctness is the principal tactic by which civil rights, feminist, and gay and lesbian organizations exercise political control." According to this Denver Post article,
that's mainly where the terms "terrorised by tolerance" and "silenced by sensitivity" come from. And I've also found a Geoff Metcalf interview with Tammy Bruce herself, so you can get a better insight into what she thinks. It's interesting stuff to be sure.

zerostress sent this link my way, which is a review from the National Post about the new book Spreading Misandry: The Teaching of Contempt for Men in Popular Culture. It's an excellent review, and as soon as I finish a couple of books I'm in the process of reading, I'm definitely going to get a copy.

Emanslave let me know about this web site, which he believes might be the only resource specifically for men in the UK who have been sexually abused or assaulted. The site definitely seems sensitive to men who have been abused, and is performing a national census of men who have had personal experience with this issue.

Calvin Heide submitted this link to a story from CNSNews.com. It's about G.I. Joe, the military action figure that is popular among boys. Increasing sales of the toy are getting the attention of groups which oppose violence in children's toys, and this article is about that subject. While I'm particularly disgusted with the amount of violence on TV, I think G.I. Joe is the least of our worries. As the article ends, "Parents know their children best [and what is] most appropriate for them."

Robert Cunningham writes " While this report was published last year, it certainly needs a wider audience. The Suicide in Australia report is full of helpful material. It relates the suicide of men with family breakdown, in a manner that is usually ignored."

krob4399 sent in this article from BBC News about how hormonal differences between men and women relate to how they cope with stress. They found that young women cope with stress better than men, but post-menopausal women lost the advantage due to lack of the hormone oestradiol. Yet the end of the article observes that there are many kinds of stress and that broad conclusions shouldn't be drawn from the study.

Thomas writes "This disgusting editorial cartoon appeared in the 11/15/01 Rocky Mountain News. Copley News Service depicts the "normal" male as a lazy, fat pig, while his wife works outside on the lawn. This is done at a time when young men are struggling and risking their lives for us and the Boulder city government, through the library, preaches anti-male hate and promotes anti-male violence. Note: you'll have to click the "Get Image" button next to 11/05/01."