CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Why are more women than men enrolled in New Hampshire colleges? Why are suicide rates higher for men than for women? Are the state’s family courts fair to fathers?
A new state Commission on the Status of Men will deal with these questions and others when it finally starts meeting regularly later this fall.
The idea for the commission was first proposed in the Statehouse five years ago. Legislation creating it was passed last year and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen signed it. Recently, Gov. Craig Benson appointed the final members and chairman of its seven-member board.
“Until now, information about gender issues has been very tainted and one-sided,” said Rep. David Bickford, R-New Durham, who sponsored the legislation.
“For so long, it was politically incorrect to examine whether there was anything wrong with the way men are treated in society,” Bickford said. “This will give people a chance to hear from the other side. “
The board’s first chairman, Plymouth lawyer Gerard Boyle, said “anything that deals with men is open for discussion and will be on the agenda,” when the board begins meeting Oct. 29.
Boyle disputed the notion that the commission was unnecessary because men traditionally receive more benefits than women in society.
“I certainly think there are some people that think that, but the statistics don’t bear that out. I am excited to get things moving and start asking why the statistics say what they say,” Boyle said.
New Hampshire has had a Commission on the Status of Women for 30 years. It is a fully funded and staffed 15-member commission. There is no state funding for the men’s commission except mileage for commission members, Boyle said.
AP-ES-10-04-03 1426EDT
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