In a Clubby World of San Francisco Mothers, Men Needn’t Apply

[onpatrol98]

In a Clubby World of San Francisco Mothers, Men Needn’t Apply
By ELIZABETH LESLY STEVENS
Published: April 2, 2011

Elizabeth Lesly Stevens writes a column for The Bay Citizen.

For your consideration, one upwardly mobile San Franciscan’s CV:

Wharton M.B.A.: Check. Happily married: Check. Good job at a white-shoe firm: Check. Nice house in Noe Valley: Check. Adorable baby son: Check.

Ability to enroll said son in the popular play groups run by the Golden Gate Mothers Group: Nil.

This young banker, who didn’t want his name used because his employer has a strict no-news-media policy, would hardly seem the sketchy type that a well-meaning private club would bar.

But he and his husband are men. As such, they and their little boy are personae non gratae at the Golden Gate Mothers Group, which since its founding in 1996 has grown to an organization of 4,000. Members must live in San Francisco, have children younger than kindergarten age and be mothers — of the strict-constructionist female variety.

The group, which takes in revenue north of $300,000 annually, mostly from dues, is by far the dominant parenting organization in town. (The latest census data show only about 40,000 young children in the city.) G.G.M.G. offers three core benefits to members. It acts as an information exchange, where pediatrician recommendations, hiring of nannies and admission tips to private preschools are particularly popular topics. It negotiates discounts for members at local retailers and service providers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/us/03bcstevens.html?ref=us

[Warpy]

1. Then they need to start another group

for gay parents. They might find that they could equal the clout of the "strict constructionist" mommy only group since the combined male executive paychecks mean a hell of a lot when it comes to admission to those upper crust preschools and private schools. Discounts might be tougher to negotiate, though.

[Renew Deal]

2. Or for dads

I'm sure a single father would have just as much trouble.

[Warpy]

3. Good point.

Opening it that way would also increase its clout.

[onpatrol98]

9. Excellent point...

I wondered about that...why try to join a mothers group if you're a father? I'm sure a father's group would get lots of support in the area...or simply a parent's group.

[Nye Bevan]

10. Right. All-male country clubs are not a problem either.

Because women can just start their own country club.

[aaaaaa5a]

4. Sadly discrimination against men is tolerated far to often in our society. NT

[MicaelS]

5. I hope they get sued n/t

[leftstreet]

6. Ah the struggles of the upwardly mobile. My heart breaks

"acts as an information exchange....hiring of nannies and admission tips to private preschools are particularly popular topics..."

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[texastoast]

8. Let's do this together

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Codeine]

7. "However will I get little Nigel into the best pre-schools?!"

Life sure is difficult for the monied.