Womens Sheds

[Scott]

And the biggest difference? Mens sheds are government funded. Guilds and associations are not for profit but are not supported by the public purse.

Oh, for goodness sakes.

How do you explain the disproportionate healthcare funding for men and women? Breast Cancer gets a significantly larger amount of funding in research and facilities over Prostate Cancer. This is despite an equal amount of occurrences in both groups.

We can go on forever arguing about funding however I think it's about time men and WOMEN recognise that men NEED a place to call their own to address issues such as elderly male depression and loneliness.

I haven't mentioned this before however my father developed severe depression when my mother left him after he retired. He joined the local mens shed when everything started and it was truly a MENS shed. Then they had women pushing to join and it was made so. My father left the mens shed and became unwell again. As did roughly a dozen other men. They honestly felt undermined and depressed that their group was feminised. The shed, roughly 6 months after letting females join, folded. My father has since taken up fishing, a solitary pursuit, and is a lot happier. He also can choose his company rather than have situations thrust upon him.

I just don't understand WHY the mens shed movement needs to become equalised. It's for men to solve mens problems. Leave it be.

[MAPLEMAN]

Women, statistically, have lower suicide rates and as mentioned, already have numerous places and groups they can get involved in.

I can assure you that there are women in my area that are or have contemplated suicide ..and they don't have numerous places to go!..MM

[mythicagothiga]

Statistically, men have been have had a shortfall of groups designed for positive health outcomes which was why the mens sheds were started.

I also agree that Mens shed stay whatever the men need them to be. If women want to get involved in woodworking or other associated groups, there are guilds and societies everywhere.

[Ticky]

I do agree that men need some time with men, I know I do & I'm nor really sure that women, or at least some women, understand this.

I also agree that there is no reason why women can't use the facillities of a gov funded shed to do wood work, metal work or what ever, but I fail to see why there can't be days set aside for Men, Women (if they want) & combined.

My self, I went to a mens shed once, & to be honest, it wan't for me, but I have since become friends with a bloke that has an Engineering Shop about 10 mins from where I live, & he is also into building small planes & restoring a P40, although work hasn't actually started on the P40 as yet.

He has Lathes & mills & even a Morbidelli (?) that he is happy for me to use & learn to use. I try & help out a bit, but I don't really know much about these machines, but the social aspect is really good. He has several blokes drop in from time to time, and most of them are pretty cool except the one Bloke that knows everything about everything.... You know the one don't you.

Anyway, the point is, I found my Mens shed. & I do need it to help keep me sain.

I was pensioned off at 37, so for nearly 20yrs, I have been a Domestic Engineer... The job that just keep sucking the life out of you, So I need access to my mens shed


Steve

[MAPLEMAN]

men NEED a place to call their own to address issues such as elderly male depression and loneliness.

i am with you on that one Scott,but we also NEED a place for young and elderly women as well.They too suffer,if the greater community fully understood the level of sexual and physical abuse that our women folk put up with,then maybe attitudes will change...there are many many depressed women out there,for goodness sake,lets help them just like we help our brothers,lets build them some bloody sheds as well..time to eat some humble pie and unite to help the ladies..is it really that difficult? As i said earlier,if the 'sheds' are good for the blokes,then they will be good for the ladies.The 'mens sheds' are a great concept,and i still believe sheds for women is a concept with merit too..for those women folk who are unable to articulate their fears,and are socially stranded..MM

[mythicagothiga]

Ok, Mapleman, women need their social places too but why do they need a 'shed'? The mens sheds are set up a lot for carpentry and woodwork and I know many of the wives of our male woodcraft guild members don't come and do woodwork because that is not what they are interested in. Woodwork and carpentry, no matter which way you look at it, is hard work, dusty and not something suited to elderly women who want to go for a coffee afterwards or get their hair done.

However, pyrography is perfect as it is a sit down activity, is great for groups and involves woodwork but again, doesn't require a 'shed'. The CWA could accomodate it.

Again, if a 'combined' place is needed, woodcraft guilds provide that and there are plenty around.

[MAPLEMAN]

Ok, Mapleman, women need their social places too but why do they need a 'shed'? The mens sheds are set up a lot for carpentry and woodwork and I know many of the wives of our male woodcraft guild members don't come and do woodwork because that is not what they are interested in. Woodwork and carpentry, no matter which way you look at it, is hard work, dusty and not something suited to elderly women who want to go for a coffee afterwards or get their hair done.

However, pyrography is perfect as it is a sit down activity, is great for groups and involves woodwork but again, doesn't require a 'shed'. The CWA could accomodate it.

Again, if a 'combined' place is needed, woodcraft guilds provide that and there are plenty around.

Why NOT a shed?...the women can deck it out and stylize as they wish..just because its a 'shed',doesn't restrict what can be done in it..the women i have spoken to DON'T want to hang out at the C.W.A,they want their own Shed,where they can go and talk,and talk,and meditate,and do anything but some of the outdated activities that the C.W.A and others offer...only some folk are getting my point....men socialise in THEIR shed,let the ladies do it too,in THEIR shed...what is wrong with that??

[Bushmiller]

Why NOT a shed?...the women can deck it out and stylize as they wish... THEIR shed...what is wrong with that??

MM

Nothing's wrong with that. Nothing at all.

Regards
Paul

[rustynail]

When we came to this beautiful part of the world, my first job was to extend the existing shed to facilitate my wood work machinery. This activity created interest from the local community and I was approached by both sexes for a sticky beak. Idle curiosity gave birth to bravado and I was asked if I would allow spectators (I hate being watched.) So, to avoid disappointing, I offered the use of my premises while I was unable to work after major eye surgery. They accepted with enthusiasm and begged me to supervise, which I would have done anyway, in the interest of equipment preservation. Well, supervision soon turned into refereeing as fellas tried to show the gals how it should be done and the gals circled their wagons in no uncertain manner. What could have been a pleasant experience for all had become a free for all. Being a hog for punishment, I have allowed things to continue with one major change... Fella's one day, Gals the next. There has been some deviation from this roster where husband and wife have wanted to work on the same project, which effectively gives them two consecutive days to work together. So far so good.
One shed, two groups, too easy.

[AlexS]

Frankly, there's a lot of women I'd rather share my shed with than many of the blokes I know.

Dunno if the women would feel the same way, though.

[tea lady]

I have been a Domestic Engineer... The job that just keep sucking the life out of you, So I need access to my mens shed


Steve

Yes well, I agree with that. Being a domestic engineer does suck the life out of you. Hence my need for a shed.

But if I was stuck with Pyrography as my only "appropriate" outlet I think I would do myself in.

[wheelinround]

Here you are Patt Gregory author of "Woodworking for Woman" as well as her own Youtube

[Polski]

'Mens Sheds' are popping up all over the place,which is great..but what about the idea of 'Womens Sheds',as they too(women) enjoy woodwork/craft etc!And they too need and deserve a place to unwind and be creative and social .Just thought i'd put the idea out there,hope it comes to fruition..Cheers MM

G'day all,
Thought this might be a good place to let anyone know in Mens or Womens sheds that we have an electric pottery wheel
that is looking for a home,so if you are, or if you know anyone who is after one, this might be ideal.
It's in good cond working order and it's free.
I'm 10 klm east of Melbourne.
If you're interested,send me a message and I'll send you my ph number.
Thanks and all the best........Polski

[tea lady]

G'day all,
Thought this might be a good place to let anyone know in Mens or Womens sheds that we have an electric pottery wheel
that is looking for a home,so if you are, or if you know anyone who is after one, this might be ideal.
It's in good cond working order and it's free.
I'm 10 klm east of Melbourne.
If you're interested,send me a message and I'll send you my ph number.
Thanks and all the best........Polski

Think there is a local group near Belgrave that do pottery. Will inquire for you and send PM.

[Polski]

Thanks Tea lady.....much appreciated.
My emai is [email protected] if anyone is interested........in the potters wheel,that is...