"Ladies Night" Declared Illegal In Minnesota 59
aapold writes "The Minnesota Dept of Human Rights has ruled that Ladies Night bar promotions are illegal in Minnesota, as it violates gender discrimination laws. This stems from a 1994 incident where a bar patron was angered at having to pay a cover charge during such an event and filed a lawsuit."
Seems Fair. (Score:5, Interesting)
Where I'm living it seems like there are more girls in "Boy" scouts then there are boys now. It started off with one or two families claiming it was unfair that their daughters couldn't participate and it wasn't right to have a boys only club. There wasn't enough interest from girls to have sparks, brownies or girl scouts so it was decided to allow the few girls that wanted to join in with the boys to participate. Then we had the problem that there are no female leaders and none of the mothers would chaperon for camping trips. Of course some of the parents aren't comfortable with letting their daughters go out into the woods with a couple of men and a group of boys (understandable), but we can't exclude the girls; so no camping trips for anyone. So the parents of the boys are pulling their sons out of scouts because they claim they "don't get to do anything" and the parents see it as a waste of time and money. Two of the four leaders are talking about quitting because of all the flax they're taking. We might as well just disband.
It really just seems like there can't be something for just boys anymore. I'd like to say I wish we could have seen the issues before hand and just not let girls in, but we would have been forced to eventually anyway and it does seem unfair to the girls that there isn't something to be a part of.
I'm on the line about the whole thing.
Wow (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Seems Fair. (Score:3, Interesting)
There are lots of good reasons to have gender specific clubs at all ages:
1) At younger ages boys and girls often have different developmental needs
2) These clubs expose the genders to positive role models they can directly relate to. This is becoming especiallly important in the age of single parents, you need to have kids that grow up under positive role models of both genders.
3) Most kids learn how to interact with the opposite gender quite normally all day in the real world
4) These clubs are ultimately PRIVATE. Are you willing to sacrifice their rights for unisexing?
5) Ever heard of "man caves" or "girls night out", I don't care what age you are, males and females are different and from time to time need their space to be around their own gender.
Your intentions are good, but no matter how much we want everyone to be equal we also have to embrace and make the most of our differences or we'll be stuck in some watered down dull society that never makes omlettes because its afraid of breaking eggs.
Re:Wow (Score:3, Interesting)
I thought "Ladies Night" was a clever device with which to attract women which in sufficient quantity (and quality) would attach male customers. The presence of said women would result in the male visitors to spend more on drinks and add value to the cover charge.
Seems like the women pay by subjecting themselves to the male company.
Re:Seems Fair. (Score:3, Interesting)
As a woman...
I agree with you.
And that comes from the biggest tomboy in the bunch, someone who probably would have made all the boy scouts in her year in school look like the wusses they were given the opportunity. But I didn't want the opportunity. I can be what I want to be and do what I want to do without ruining the boys' chance to be boys. They need their clubhouse with "No girls allowed" tacked on the side and they should have it!
(And as an aside, ALL parents, whether your troop is integrated or not, are a royal pain in the ass anymore. You're just another babysitter. Makes me sick.)
I am glad you agree.
Honestly the situation isn't the fault of the girls. The fault lies squarely with the parents, if even one of the mothers who wants their daughter in scouts instead of guides were to step up and go camping and/or hiking for the weekend the whole problem would be a non issue. Too bad my wife wouldn't go. She hates bugs and trees, sometimes I wonder about her.
I don't mind being a "babysitter". I get to have just as much fun as the kids. I probably learn just as much from them as I do for anyone else.
Re:Seems Fair. (Score:3, Interesting)
Good idea, Judith. We shall fight the oppressors for your right to have babies, brother... sister, sorry.