Maybe it’s time to break the bro-code

Pete, "has resulted in key experts in North America calling out the errors in that research in Australia." Much of the research s cherry picked in the Oz, NZ, US, Canada and the UK, the so called Anglosphere countries. And it might be worth pointing out that it is not too hard to pick holes in the US research on which the US base some of their social policy and law changes. It shouldn't be surprising to point out that the US and Australia, while they have many similarities also have many differences. And what is approapriate for Australia in regards to social policy/law might not be appropriate for the US. And vice versa. A rather cynical reading of this situation might lead one to believe that the elites devise what social policy/laws that they want and then they fund the research (and the media) to support those social policy/law changes. I don't think this thinking is at all unjustified. Which might be all well and good if they (the elites) new what they were doing, but time and time again over the years changes have proved that (at best) the people implenting these changes have no idea (to put it nicely). The only justification I can see for many of the approaches taken over the years are the creation/maintenace of defacto segregation (between groups between black and white or between this group and that group) and/or maintaining elite groups in their positions of power.

Yep, accuse people who disagree, mostly politely, with the some of the thrust of the article of being wife beaters. I'm sorry but I think your tactics are grubby in the extreme.

What's wrong with bonding sessions? I've had plenty of beers with friends, many of them women, without feeling the need to demean women or beat anyone up. Perhaps I keep better company than some.

Thank you PeterK

Bravo!

"virtuous & self-gratifying sermon"?! I didn't get that impression. My impression was he recognised the mistakes he's made in the past and how he's learning from them. Allan writes: "Admittedly, I grew up thinking it was just casual chat that didn’t mean anything and regrettably, I fell victim to the pack mentality." "Stop worrying about our attitudes to women and spend some more time on your scrummaging" Does it have to be an either/or? why can't it be a both/and? Be honest, Realist. What do you care more about?

Wow. In an effort to put an end to violence, you wish death upon someone who disagrees with you. If we are going to call out appalling behaviour............

Touche, gekko. Now let's get back to the Rugby.

Well said Alan (and others in this comments section). It's a pity that some troll's, hiding behind a keyboard, can't stop themselves from taking a cheap shot. I think this article is talking about some of you as well.

It is called double standards, Council.

+ 1 for Nabley

Could we also have banner in support of sufferers of prostate cancer and another one in support of war veterans please

I was brought up in a household where you don't raise your voice against another person, be it a female or a male. DV is a problem, but then who wants to hear the full story. If you don't join the heard, then you're the enemy....... Cat callers, bullies, insecure, small-pee blokes......social media is ruled by them..........try to say something in that regard on Twitter and you'll find out. Women and men are equal, and they should be treated as such. But if a woman speaks and I don't agree with her, I am a mysoginist.......... Good luck with your cheap morality PS: AA, stick to the scrums pls

Thanks Allan Any plans for another virtuous & self-gratifying sermon anytime soon? Stop worrying about our attitudes to women and spend some more time on your scrummaging - you’ve gone backwards this international season while admiring the view from your ivory tower.

"According to a survey conducted by The Line campaign, more than one in four (27 per cent) of young men say it doesn’t bother them if they’re with a group of friends and someone puts girls down by making jokes or comments about them." Don't be naive. The majority of young men make sexist remarks in the locker room. You're lying to yourself if you believe otherwise.

Yeah Allan is correct in saying the "bro code" needs smashing but ........how does anyone propose to do it. As a man in my 50s brought up in Sydney I can confirm it was no different in the 1970s and 80s. Then it was called "aussie mateship". Very little has changed socially in Australia since then. When I was in my teens and 20s the choice was the same as Allan asks today.......... "But at the end of the day, if you’ve tried to educate your mate and you’re still not getting through to him, you need to ask yourself if you’re hanging out with the wrong people." The Yobo's (as we called them then) were simply not my friends and whenever the "good guys" saw bad behaviour of any type we simply called it for what is was, stood up for the woman and ostracised the Yobo. I never tried to educate my mates because these "yobos" were never my mates to begin with. They are dead easy to spot. Over the next 30 years I expected things to change in Australia but seems very little has changed. Some social values have actually gone backwards in Australia over the past 10 years that I attribute mainly to our political leaders and the media. Racism, sexism, ageism are worse now than in the 1980's imo. What does this say about the current generation of Australians, our media and politicians? They promote it and validate it daily. Blaming politicians is not valid either because it's the Australian public who collectively vote for them......and continue to vote for them.

Great post thanks. And great article too Alan. The domestic violence against women in this country is a national disgrace. The more we talk about it the more we realise what a problem it is and we can teach our children that this is not acceptable.

The idea is clearly correct, stop all violence and abuse against women. The premise though, in my humble opinion and experience, is wrong. I do not believe that their is any “bro-code” that facilitates or excuses such violence or ill-treatment. Any abuser has always been considered a total grub. I have never seen any evidence of the excusing of abuse or ill-treatment of women (or children for that matter). Having been around rugby and other sports for several decades I have not seen any evidence of this ‘ bro-code’ whatsoever. Such behaviour is always done behind closed doors because the abusers know what others will think. They will be despised and alienated, as they should be. I can’t think of anyone I despise more that those who perpetuate such behaviour. If you exist in an environment where such a ‘bro-code’ is real, you need to realise that you and your associates are nothing but scum. If such a culture exists, it must be destroyed. However, if this is really just an appeal to the protective instinct we all have, then let’s not tarnish the reputation of all men to achieve a worthy goal. I believe that the abusers are a tiny minority, a secretive cowardly few. One is too many, but good men are everywhere and leading by example.

Thanks for the article Allan. As a woman, I value your respect. I am blessed to have wonderful men in my life. My father set a very high standard and I have maintained that with the men in my life and I am better for having them as my friends. Unfortunately many women do not surround themselves with good men. I have a son and a daughter. The threat of violence towards them is an equal worry to me, However the fact still remains, that the most dangerous person in a woman's life up until the age of 15 is their father (or other close male relative) and after 15 it is their partner. Men are not alone in excusing bad behaviour. Many women also excuse disrespectful and abusive behaviour in men, and actually reward it by deeming it attractive. This needs to change and the many good men out there should be celebrated.

Good article. Interesting to see who on the Roar is a closet MRA based on these comments...