MovieChat Forums > Parks and Recreation (2009) Discussion > A question about the men's rights activi...

A question about the men's rights activists episode

posted 9 years ago by aaronkavo-1
8 replies | jump to latest

Hey. I'm just getting around to watching season seven now on Netflix.

I just watched the episode with the men's rights activists, and taught it was really funny, and I thought they satirised the MRA's and all their "arguments" really well.

But one thing bothered me, and that was Leslie's line "Men's rights are nothing."

Maybe it's just the wording, or I'm taking it too literally, but what did she mean by that?

Did she mean "men's rights" in the ridiculous fashion that MRA's use it, in relation to men being "oppressed" by feminism?

I dunno. I know I'm being kinda hung up on it, but something bothered me about it, because Leslie always seemed like a character that really cared about everyone, and that's what made me like her.

I mean, don't get me wrong, the whole "manosphere" thing is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. But I don't agree with equating men's rights, in the legitimate sense, with all that.

I dunno. Maybe I'm being anal-retentive about the wording (to the point where I'm logging in to an old IMDb account I haven't used in over a year to talk about this!), but I just didn't like that statement.

It's a pity, too. I thought the rest of the parody was hilarious and really, really spot-on about the gender-wars that go on on the internet.

Of course, as I was writing this, I had pause for thought and I was thinking "What really is 'men's rights' anyway?" I can't really think of any rights that would be specific to men that wouldn't affect women in some way. I dunno, maybe I'm just being ridiculous myself. But I dunno, the line just had an implication that didn't sit right with me. I don't really like the idea of dismissing social issues that may affect men just because some conspiratorial anti-feminists said "We represent men's rights."

I don't if any of this made sense to read. Probably not. But I dunno. I'm kinda conflicted on the wording of the line.

Some people say that 95% of your body is made out of water. For me, that's alcohol.

[–] Ghetto_Defendant 9 years ago

Maybe she meant that the vast majority of power is held by men.

[–] SaidNDone 9 years ago

i think she was just dismissing them and saying they were whining about nothing (because to be honest they were) i don't think she was saying there were no issues

Azula >>>>

[–] jname967 9 years ago

Your argument is valid, and I totally agree that Leslie's flippant remark was way too broad and dismissive of a greater issue.

Everyone on Earth has "Rights", by merely existing. Including men, yes. Enough said.

[–] katneedham 9 years ago

I didn't like how she said it either, but it's because Amy is super feminist liberal in real life

[–] Pulcherrimus 8 years ago

What MRAs are usually complaining about is their loss – impending, or sometimes even imagined – of some former privilege. Therefore, they are demanding to keep their privileges intact or refusing to move with the times. They simply won't admit or give up their position of privilege.

Human rights, on the other hand, are meant to ensure that everyone is treated the same, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. However, men – white, straight, able – have always been at the top of the social hierarchy, while the same can not be said for women or minorities. That's why we need women's rights and minority rights.

Past generations have had to fight for those groups to be treated with respect and decency, to not be killed, beaten, silenced, raped or sold into slavery, because of their gender, the color of their skin or the person they love. We are still fighting and will always have to fight for the right to be who we are and the right to be heard. That is not a privilege. It is the sad result of a system that responds with indignation to questions of privilege, with the need to demand "men's rights" back.

There is no persecution against men. It is all born out of their imagination. Their complaints are merely a repeal of privileges. That is why men's rights are nothing.

Quot homines, tot sententiae.

[–] jname967 8 years ago

There is no persecution against men. It is all born out of their imagination. Their complaints are merely a repeal of privileges. That is why men's rights are nothing.

I disagree. It's simplistic to think just because men have historically had all the privileges, that they are incapable of being attacked therefore. Did you take into account the radical feminists who exist who want special treatment over "equality"? Have you wondered why many women are even afraid to use the term "feminist" these days, because of that?

Have you seen the media's portrayal of men? Are you blind? Does it look anything less than antagonistic? Men and boys continue to lag behind in school, yet no one's taking pains to fix that problem the way they did with girls in school. Why? Cuz people like you think: Well, men aren't capable of having problems. They have no problems!

If you have a son that has problems in school or feels alienated for being a boy, just remember to tell him: "You have no problems. You are male."

And he will do wonderfully in this world!

Here is a truth bomb, genius: ANYONE on this earth has been persecuted.

[–] eamonn_keane 8 years ago

men – white, straight, able – have always been at the top of the social hierarchy

No, some men have been. Almost all societies, men predominate at the top in positions of power and influence and achievement, but also at the bottom - men make up the great majority of suicides, homeless, addicts, prisoners, premature deaths, workplace deaths, victims of violence etc. From a strictly rights-oriented POV it's clear that men's rights re. their children are far less than women's, and their treatment by the justice system is invariably harsher.

[–] jname967 8 years ago

No, some men have been. Almost all societies, men predominate at the top in positions of power and influence and achievement, but also at the bottom - men make up the great majority of suicides, homeless, addicts, prisoners, premature deaths, workplace deaths, victims of violence etc.

This. The illusion of male power is that only an ELITE group of men have "all the power". The rest of the men are struggling as much or MORE than women.