Friday, November 19, 2010

Celebrating International Men's Day...



In spite of the rainy day today, when I found out it was International Men's Day today,  I figured we'd just have to have a celebration!

I figured I would honor T with a favorite meal meal of his (I'm thawing two frozen lobster tails that were being saved for JUST such an occasion...).

I would also write a post on what a great idea it is to celebrate this day! Considering I have 3 sons and 2 grandsons, I feel I have a vested interest in the day.  (Plus, though it's not "yet" celebrated in Greece, it's celebrated in the US and Ireland!! so it "sort of" reflects life and times, eh?)

A little background from Wikipedia:

Calls for an International Men's Day have been noted since at least the 1960s when it was reported that "many men have been agitating privately to make Feb 23 International Men's Day, the equivalent of March 8, which is International Women's day" In the early 1990s, organizations in the United States, Australia and Malta held small events in February at the invitation of Professor Thomas Oaster who directed the Missouri Center for Men's Studies at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Oaster successfully promoted the event in 1994, but his following attempt in 1995 was poorly attended and he ceased plans to continue the event in subsequent years. 

Whilst the Australians also ceased to observe the event again until November 19, 2003, only the Maltese Association for Men's Rights continued to observe the event each year in February. As the only remaining country still observing the earlier February celebration, the Maltese AMR Committee voted in 2009 to shift the date of their observation to November 19 in synchrony with all other countries celebrating on a single date.


According to its creators, International Men’s Day is a time to highlight discrimination against men and boys in areas of health, family law, education, media or other areas and to project their positive contributions and achievements. During past years the method of commemorating International Men's Day included public seminars, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, peaceful displays and marches, debates, panel discussions, and art displays. The manner of observing this annual day is optional, and any appropriate forums can be used. Early pioneers of IMD reminded that the day is not intended to compete against International Women's Day, but is for the purpose of highlighting men's experiences. Each year a secondary theme/s is suggested, such as peace in 2002, men’s health in 2003, healing and forgiveness in 2007, or positive male role models in 2009, although it is not compulsory to adopt these themes and participants are welcome to come up with their own to suit their needs and local concerns. In 2009 the following broad objectives were ratified as a basis for all International Men’s Day observations:
  • To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.
  • To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.
  • To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
  • To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
  • To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
  • To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential
According to Mens Activism News Network, International Men's Day  interfaces with Universal Children's Day on November 20 and forms a 48 hour celebration firstly of men, then children respectively, with a recognition of the bonds between them.

Here, here!  And a big  "thank you!" to all the good guys in the world!

6 comments:

  1. thanks for letting us know - will post this on my facebook!

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  2. Well, the man in MY life is 22, and is my beloved son, so thank you for this, I'll post on his Facebook wall about this day. I've honestly never heard of it before. Thank you for enlightening me.

    The lobster tails sound very lush! I hope you both thoroughly enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I missed this!!
    I hope you enjoyed those lobster tails...I'm insanely jealous!!
    :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was a lovely celebration!

    The lobster tails were spectacular... Steamed til just done, then slathered with melted and clarified butter that had been infused with garlic and paprika, broiled for three minutes and served with a very nice but plain risotto and a salad with avocados. (I made a pear and ginger cake for dessert!)

    I did learn something interesting about lobsters tho, and that was that lobsters fished from warm water are a bit trickier than lobsters taken from cold water.

    The flavor can sometimes be compromised particularly if you buy them frozen. (The thing is... warm water lobsters from Brazil and Cuba are expensive but not AS expensive as the cold water ones!)

    We were fortunate with the ones we got but some friends were not as fortunate.

    Should I buy them again (HA! of course I will!) I'll probably steam it and then use the meat in a lobster dish , like a salad or a pasta dish. (and it'll go further than way too!)

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  5. Oh, thanks for the tip on warm water lobsters!

    As to Int. Men's Day...I always think it a pity that some of the seventies feminists regarded men generally as ogres and oppressors...just as bad a the ogres and oppressors regarding women as people lacking a brain...

    ReplyDelete
  6. dear fly,

    I agree with you about the seventies feminist rhetoric towards men. I still claim to be a feminist, but I think it's important to recognize injustice against women, isn't just institutionalized by some men, there are plenty of women who are just as oppressing against women, as there are "good ole' boys"!!

    (and to be honest, there's a lot more chauvinism preach by religions than anything else!)

    ReplyDelete

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