The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Why do there seem to be more women here than men? I believe the ratio of alcoholics and drug addicts is approximately the same for men and women, yet there seems to be fewer men sharing here. Any thoughts?
Charlie - just my thoughts based on my own experience (gal with 3 brothers & 2 sons).
I believe or have observed that women and men process a bit differently. My experience with the guys in my life is they take it all in, and then .... process outbound much slower than I ever could or would.
So - perhaps - there are many men yet to come who are processing their life and experience at a different rate.
Just a thought!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Aloha Charles and the two responses you already got I relate to. When I got into Al-Anon in the area I did there were very few men around and most times I was the sole male in the rooms usually with a large number of women. I hindsight I was raised by the women of Al-Anon until more men came into the rooms and then was able to found and sponsor a mens "stag" meeting with women allowed if they could put up with how we processed our recovery. I believe that women recognize the need earlier than men do and are more humble reaching out for help and support which was some thing that took me about 5 years to attempt. Maybe also that the culture of alcoholism still suggests that it is more a male related disease than female...maybe but not from my experience.
Stats are hard to come by, but in my experience, the ratio of women to men in Al-Anon is at least 6:1 or more..... I agree with you about the statistics of A's getting closer a nd closer to 50/50, so it tells me that many men can't get over that "societal hump" of dealing with feelings and/or asking for help..... That being said, I have had awesome experiences with some fabulous men in Al-Anon, including a "men only" meeting in North Vancouver that I attended for awhile - it was quite amazing...
Tom
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"He is either gonna drink, or he won't.... what are YOU gonna do?"
"What you think of me is none of my business"
"If you knew the answer to what you are worrying about, would it REALLY change anything?"
