Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 12:48 PM EDT

I had to comment just to say how ridiculous those women are being.  I wouldn't want my child around such closed-minded people anyway.

Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 5:06 PM EDT

I read this article this afternoon and just can’t believe that there are mom’s groups out there still operating in this horrible way.   I truly feel for Rick and hope he can find a group that will allow him to join and participate.

How incredibly narrow minded to not even meet this person and try to get to know him.  He is after all, just doing what any good parent would do, and that is something for the benefit of his child.  In this day and age this type of discrimination and prejudices is just ridiculous and reprehensible.  This mom’s group should ashamed of themselves and if it is part of a national group, they should have their charter pulled.

I feel for you Rick!  I will do my best to check around and see if there are any Canadian groups that can help.  Hang in there!

Regards,

Mike Stilwell

DC Metro Dads

Daddyshome, Inc.

http://www.dcmetrodads.com

Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:34 PM EDT

I teach night school, and when our kids were little I took them to a playgroup.  I was invariably the only man present, but none of the Moms ever seemed the least disturbed by that.  There were some who didn't know me beforehand, but that never seemed to be a problem.

I think those women are just insane.

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 12:19 AM EDT

Hey dads,

 I just wanted to let you know that I am the orginial creator of that particular meetup and was horrified by the decision of the new organizer.  My original vision for the group was that it be a PARENTS group.  I stepped down as organizer several months ago as I have 16 month old twins and another on the way! 

I wanted the group to include all parents because I have met and befriended a number of dads that stay home with their kids. I also wanted my husband to be able to meet some other guys in the neighbourhood.

 I received an email about this so-called issue by the new organizer and urged her to reconsider as I though this was totally ridiculous.  The organizer was concerned about security of children.  Funny that the statistics involved in abuse and kid napping point more towards women than men.  I shake my head and hope that you don't lump all the women in that group with the decision of the organizer.  Supposedly a poll went out to the group regarding this issue however the poll was confusing as it had multiple questions and not one that pointedly asked whether dads should be allowed in the group with a yes or no answer.  Not many members actually responded.

There will be a follow up story in the paper about this.  I did an interview with the writer yesterday.  I am planning to start a new group up that will be sure to include all parents which will hopefully attract all of you, forward thinking people.

I am so glad this issue was taken to the paper and that it is getting the attention it deserves.  Children are happier and more successful individuals when their fathers play an active role in their lives.  Three cheers to all of you and I hope to meet some more local dads for an empathetic ear about teething and the terrible twos.

Jennifer

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 12:20 AM EDT

Oh that's not sexist at all! Those women should be ashamed of themselves.

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 12:44 AM EDT

I live in the Vancouver area, and I know someone who is a member of this group, and the real reason they kicked him out is because they are a group of women with children who make money on the side as escorts, and the main purpose of the group is to have somewhere to drop their kids off when they're doing a call.

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 12:47 AM EDT

These folks would be a terrible environment for Rick's child anyhow...

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 12:49 AM EDT

The sad message that the women in this group are sending out is that gender bias is OK.  Women have been fighting long and hard for equality, and unfortunately this will hurt them more than it will hurt this dad.  On the flip side, they now have first hand experience just how easy it is to slip into a sexist mindset.

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 1:19 AM EDT

i'd love to see an all guy group try to organize a "DADDY ONLY" event.

they would probaby get 10 to Life with no parole and labeled as sex offenders.

wake up women, this is what you asked for. you cant play both sides and expect men to constantly take a beating. at one point, we are going to reverse it, and take your old role of the beaten down hapless home husband and have all of your old benefits...sound familiar?

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 1:45 AM EDT

I was in the exact same situation.  The kids are safe from the dads.  We are much more interested in hitting on the adult women in the group

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 4:46 AM EDT

Of course it is sexist, and they mishandled it. But it is common for moms groups to keep the member list down to active members only in order to keep a tight handle on things. 2-3 months is a long time to be a member of a meetup group without attending an event. Although I'm sure there was no risk to the children, and the organizer is completely unreasonable for putting it to a vote instead of talking to the guy and asking/reminding him to please show up, he should have taken the initiative to show up after joining, so as not to arouse suspision as a stalker/lurker. As I said, 2-3 months is a long time to get 5 emails a day and do nothing about it.

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 4:32 PM EDT

O.K.  These woman are nuts and must be avoided at all cost.  But in reality, just what is a "playgroup"?  Yes, it's supposed to be a way to get the little ones together with other little ones but it's also a way to get parents together and in this case mothers.  I understand the desire for men to want to join a playgroup but if it's a group of women, men are really not welcome.  The moms want to sit around and have a bitch fest.  They want to talk about inane baby stuff. They want to talk about their husbands.  They don't want men around while they do this. And speaking of husbands, their insecure HUSBANDS don't want men around them either.

I know it's hard but stay-at-home dads must find that rare, willing mom/dad group, or even rarer, a dad's group.  Otherwise just go to the playground.  The playground is one big informal playgroup and the best place to meet mothers open to dads and maybe even another dad.  Although that might be hard to do in Canada this time of year!

Friday, 17 October 2008 - 7:14 PM EDT

hate to discriminate - so lets just discriminate anyway... realy classy. Those people should be ashamed of themselves, they are an embarassment to Canadians!

Sunday, 19 October 2008 - 3:17 PM EDT

The kind of attitude that excludes dads is difficult for both the guy and the kid.

Even when a dad goes to a public area to let his kid play in a group, and the dad tries to talk with the moms, the women act like he is trying to chat them up!

Being actively ignored by other parents is worse than being on your own, so my son and I spend time at the beach and more open play areas so the mom's don't have to feel "threatened" by my presence. 

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 - 3:09 PM EDT

Hmmm....this seems like a pretty libelous statement to make. 

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 - 3:12 PM EDT

This is the comment I was refering to from S.o.G.

I live in the Vancouver area, and I know someone who is a member of this group, and the real reason they kicked him out is because they are a group of women with children who make money on the side as escorts, and the main purpose of the group is to have somewhere to drop their kids off when they're doing a call. 

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 - 9:59 PM EDT

I am shocked and I think it's unbelievable that no one has heard the WHOLE truth or even really thought hard about this topic......What people don't know is the other side of this story, I actually know that in fact, when Rick posted his profile on meet up there was no photo and very little in his profile. He didn't even live in the area and never attended one meet-up.

Now as a parent that does NOT discriminate and would welcome fathers to participate in groups and play dates etc....people have to understand that there can be a huge safety risk. Our Phone numbers , first and last names as well our addresses can be  posted for meet-ups etc.

I am sure Ricks intentions were good when he joined the group, but you have to understand as a mother or a father,  when little is known about some of the members particularly men(which is unfortunate). that parents are concerned. So in all actuality I'm sure he was asked to leave for that reason.

People also don't understand what a "Mommy and Me" group is! Some of the topics discussed at the meet ups are very very personal including topics that deal with your breasts, nipples, gynaecologic, and all the factors that go with birthing etc. I hope any man that wants to join these groups realizes it is very very personal to women and why some may have concerns about discussing these subjects in front of men. Of course it is nice to get some male perspectives on parenting etc, but I am not so sure any man could fully understand many of the things a woman's body goes through first hand!

So in all actuality Rick being asked to leave has nothing to to with discrimination or being narrow minded as the media has everyone believe. I feel this was done to enhance an untrue story to make for a better read!!! How unfair!

My heart goes out to the mothers and organizer of this group because I know the intentions were well, especially when this is a non profit support group that is trying to create a better sense of community for new moms. And in fact if anyone reads the legalities of the Meet Up .com group she was with in every right to refuse this particular member given the circumstance!

Now what would you of thought of any mothers group who would have kept a member which whom you thought suspicious( male or female). I am sorry we live in a world of perverts and sex predators, but I think this Moms group did the right thing in this case. When you actually know ALL the facts, then you can make up your mind! It's just really very sad to see how everyone made this into something totally untrue...Please people, know your facts before you judge!!!! Fathers were allowed to come to certain meet ups and were encouraged to meet the other dads as well!!!!

The women in this group have the biggest hearts and they were truly in the right place. They are the real victims here. How sad!

The paper as as well as anyone exploiting this matter should be ashamed of themselves!!!

Shame on you!

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 - 10:19 PM EDT

My typo from the above satement should read... he did live in the area and never attended one meet-up.??

Monday, 24 November 2008 - 4:06 PM EST

Althought I have not experienced getting kicked out of a play-group I have certainly been blocked.  When my wife meets at-home moms, it is common for her to get an invitation for at home mom get togethers.   But when they learn I am the one at home its all over.   I think a lot of us have experienced this kind of descrimination.  It is sexist and unfair. Imagine if a dads group did this to an at home mom, it would be top story on CNN.

Wednesday, 28 January 2009 - 11:58 AM EST

As a potential stay at home dad in the next coming months, this article pissed me off to the ends of the earth. Having dads be able to spend tim eat home with the kids has been something that women have been pissing and moaning about for decades! 

And now that it happens, we're being labelled as "threats to other people's children"?

 If a man were to exclude a woman from a group, it would be called SEXISM. If a woman does it, it's called a "seccurity concern?!"

 What a crock of .....

Monday, 9 February 2009 - 4:25 AM EST

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Tuesday, 24 February 2009 - 11:32 AM EST

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Tuesday, 24 February 2009 - 11:32 AM EST

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