"Wifebeater" Night is Offensive? (From the MensActivism Double Standards? Never! Dept.)

From a MensActivism discussion "Wifebeater" Night is Offensive?
A New Zealand bar has offended women's groups. There's a video of the news report or read the webpage below...

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"Wifebeater" night sparks offence

A Dunedin bar is under fire for its "wifebeater Wednesday" theme night aimed at attracting students.

The promotion is based around a kiwiana slang term for an item of clothing - the black shearers' singlet. Over several weeks the singlets will be given to students every "wife-beater Wednesday".

But police and women's groups say the theme is highly offensive. The Women's Refuge has called it an insult.

"It minimises the family violence, it minimises the impact on victims, it says it's ok," says Annette Gillespie.

The pub's manager Mat Hilton says it's just a bit of fun. "It's not about wifebeating, it's a wifebeater, the name of a singlet. We do not encourage domestic violence at all," says Hilton.

Some students seem to agree with Hilton's view. However Andrew Cushen from the Otago University students' association has criticised the event. "Appealing to the lowest common denominator in terms of spousal abuse is not the type of thing that makes students want to go out and have fun at a bar. It really is just sick," he said.

The sponsors supplying the black singlets have stressed they don't want their logos printed on them and don't want any further involvement with the promotion. The bar admits it has had some complaints.

Police will visit the pub to outline their dismay.

Presumably it's the pervasiveness of the original wife beating ad that gave the garment it's name. So much so that at least one women stereotypes men who wear this singlet as wifebeaters. Of course, they wouldn't consider it offensive to stereotype men. As Dittohd says

"Isn't it funny how this lighthearted joke at a bar is considered offensive but "Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks at Them" t-shirts are harmless fun. Notice the last line in the article, "Police will visit the pub to outline their dismay. ""