do you think the anti-feminists and MRAs are having any effect or no?

[PrettyLittleLiar]

In my opinion, the the MRM is both a good and a bad thing.

They are good in that they are pushing for greater paternal rights, and bad in that they are positioning feminism as being the enemy, which can make informed discourse difficult.

There is no doubt that feminism has done a lot of good for society, but in today's highly politicised culture, the default position is to bash feminism on principle.

The MRM propagates the idea that feminism has destroyed the family and is to blame for everything from single motherhood to fathers losing custody of their children.

The truth is, feminism HAS called into question the idea of the 'nuclear family' and all of the connotations associated with it. My point is, is that a bad thing?

The old ideal of a traditional, nuclear family did not really benefit women, if you consider that it was all about a woman subjugating herself for the needs of her family. Yes there are women who are happy with this role, but, equally, there are women who do not want to be responsible for the majority of childcare and housework and who also want to seek personal fulfilment outside of the home.

The traditional family structure placed the balance of power squarely in the hands of the husband, primarily through economic means. Now things are different and women are out there working, choosing to divorce unsuitable partners etc and the MRM seems to find this some kind of attack on society. Really, if you think about it logically, it is not very fair.

The irony is that feminists want men to step up and play a more active role in childcare, and to be active parents in a way they were not free to do before.

Sure things are up in the air at the moment. Men and women are unsure of their role in society because traditional norms no longer apply. We are living in a society in flux. The point is that at least now women have choices where none were available previously, and it is up to individuals to live their lives, their marriages and their child-care responsibilities in ways that are suitable to their individual circumstances.

Feminism can pave the way to gender equality, but it cannot legislate for maturity and responsibility on the part of individuals.

In my opinion, the MRM, while doing some good, are, in general, doing society a disservice by seeking to destroy feminism. Feminism is not an overarching force for evil seeking to destroy men and achieve female supremacy, but, by listening and hearing their constant, negative, often ill informed rhetoric, you would certainly not believe it.