Men’s sheds are community-based, non-commercial organisations that are open to all men. Men’s sheds improve the health and wellbeing of their members by giving them a safe place to make friends, share meaningful activities, talk, and access health information and resources. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/mens-sheds

[–] radec@slrpnk.net 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Interesting. Never heard of it. Seems overly complicated to make it gender based. But I like the idea.

I like the idea of a Random Folks shed lol

[–] activepeople@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

from what I understand some men feel very uncomfortable around non-family women, and don't have a third place that doesn't involve alcohol.

It does seem to add a layer of complication, but perhaps that's the point.

[–] radec@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 year ago

yeah i can understand that. I think every group of people can feel uncomfortable around another group of people. my general stance is to let everyone create the community that they feel comfortable with. although I think that stance can be used in the wrong way, and is used to perpetrate patriarchy and toxic culture. its complicated.

[–] CurlyWurlies4All@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

They're traditionally for boomer age people and they can be a bit weird about gender roles. For transparency my local one is officially called the 'Community Shed' but Men's Shed is still the coloquial term most people use.

[–] perestroika@slrpnk.net 7 points 1 year ago

As far as I understand, it's a place where to meet around some productive activity, as opposed to meeting around booze. :P

The intended side effect should also be ensuring that even less wealthy community members can access fancy tools.

Why they call them men's sheds is a mystery to me, since I can easily imagine a schedule where it's a women's shed or random folks' shed one some days.