Voluntary gender segregation

[Escher]

The junior league thread got me thinking...

I presumed it was a women's club.
Which reminded me of the Masons, which is a men's club (that I'm considering joining)

What's your thoughts on these sort of clubs? Women are not allowed to be Masons. (I believe there is a sister org of some sort, though) Do you think it's discriminatory at all?

Anyone here refuse to join a society because it wasn't coed? I venture to say that many folks belong to one group or another that is single-sex by design, but why? What appeals to you about that, and is it moral?

I could care less that Masons are men only. I don't think of it as a benefit at all. But, to be honest, I don't think of it as a detraction either. It is what it is.

[misskitty100]

Nothing wrong with same-sex philanthropic groups in my opinion.

You are right - "It is what it is."

[Escher]

I know one of the reasons I hang out here is because the members here are different than the other forums I'm involved in. It's a different POV here, and I think that's good for me.

CL is predominantly female, older, involved w/ families and careers, etc, less polarized and a far greater number of regular posters.

You know, diversity and all that crap.

Yes, I'm essentially comparing CL to eating my internet veggies.

[stefania4]

It's not an issue for me. I need my women's book club the way DH needs Guys' Night (usually wings & beer, or shooting pool). Some people prefer a more structured environment, hence the Junior Leauge, the Masons, etc.

[LakeMartinGal]

I wouldn't join a group just because it's gender-specific, though I enjoy women's clubs, to a point. I wouldn't stay away from one, either... I don't think it's discriminatory, but rather a response to the need of each gender to socialize with others of the same gender... boy's night out, as was mentioned before. I must say, though, that I enjoy the company of both genders more than just women's clubs... but we need women's clubs so we can talk about the men! :o :rolleyes: :D ;)

Masons and Eastern Star (the women's group) each have their own 'secret handshake', and are not a lot different than the women's auxiliary of fire departments, imo....

[raka1214]

Honestly, until someone points out the fact that it is a gender specific ANYTHING, I don't notice it. Doesn't bother me, we have Ladies Groups and Mens Groups at our church, just like we have a Youth Group and a Children's Group - I don't see any middle-aged people wanting to sit through an hour's worth of puppet shows each week.

[wallycat]

I'm not a big joiner of any clubs.
Having said that, if I were to join, I agree...it is what it is. I rarely pay attention to the GENDER in the club and more about the reason the club is there :)

[mcgeiger]

Out of curiousity...isn't your harem single-sex :p ?

[Canice]

I can't imagine attaching the word "moral" to a club based on its gender bias or lack thereof. But I'm odd one out (big surprise) in that I would actively avoid a women-only club. It seems weird to me, and I think that imbalance is odd. Plus, just not fun - I like being around men! :) (And I'll never get women who think it's HI-larious to make the same kinds of rude and ignorant generalizations about men that put their own Victoria's Secrets in a wad when the comments are about women.)

ETA: I'm thinking specifically of structured organizations, not a guy hanging with his pals or a woman having a "girls' night out" or whathaveyou.

[Escher]

Out of curiousity...isn't your harem single-sex :p ?

No. I am male, and my esteemed invitees are all female.

It's good to be the king.

[Arete]

Regarding the harem... I received an invite at one point. Was there a form I needed to fill out? Medical history? Do I receive a membership card to carry in my wallet. ("I'm sorry officer, I forgot my driver's license... but here's my card verifying that I'm a member of Escher's harem!") Just wanted to make sure I hadn't messed up by not responding to the offer in a timely manner.

As for the groups being discussed here, it's neither an attraction nor a detraction. I agree with "It is what it is."

[Escher]

Regarding the harem... I received an invite at one point. Was there a form I needed to fill out? Medical history? Do I receive a membership card to carry in my wallet. ("I'm sorry officer, I forgot my driver's license... but here's my card verifying that I'm a member of Escher's harem!") Just wanted to make sure I hadn't messed up by not responding to the offer in a timely manner.


Nope, once you're invited, you are free to come and go as you please. Grab a poofy pillow, enjoy some dates, and admire the scenery as palm fronds wash fresh air over your reclining form.

Edited by JenniferCL

[AzAnne]

Nope, once you're invited, you are free to come and go as you please. Grab a poofy pillow, enjoy some dates, and admire the scenery as palm fronds wash fresh air over your reclining form.

Edited by JenniferCL


??? Wondering what prompted Jennifer to edit :eek: :o :D ???

[ErinM]

Dang, anybody else coming in to the late who now totally wonder what JenniferCL had to change??? :D

[FruitsAlive]

I think the only time it bothers me is if it is something that there is not a sister/brother group for. For example, I wanted to be in little league as a kid, but it was "for boys only". In that case, if a girl wants to play and there are no alternatives, what's the harm? These gender exclusive clubs are obviously for people with like interests, so it really doesn't seem like it should be an issue.

[Meganator]

Dang, anybody else coming in to the late who now totally wonder what JenniferCL had to change??? :D

Something about eunuchs that did not strike me as controversial or in particularly poor taste, FWIW.

[tea4one]

I can't believe it. Why did she edit that? I wasn't offended but someone must of been.

[ErinM]

Maybe the person who complained is a eunuch, and feels personally attacked?


I mean, they do have a community, after all: http://www.eunuch.org/

[Sookie]

Escher, my father has been a Mason for many, many years and has enjoyed the experience so much. My mother never joined the Eastern Star, but there are so many dinners, dances, parades, etc. that she has gone to with my father and enjoyed. Every year he takes my three sisters and me to a Shriner's convention in Ocean City and we stay there for several days and it's a lot of fun, but I can see that the members are getting older.

The bottom line is that the Masons (I think most Masons can become Shriners) really need younger men to join and continue the tradition - in Philadelphia we have the Shriner's Hospital (there are 22 Shriner's Hospitals in the country) and it is a wonderful institution. They help so many people for free.