Sir, - Once again John Waters makes a passionate and pioneering plea for better treatment for our neglected and downtrodden adult male minority (Opinion, September 15th). However, I must object to him going on to disparage some of the most illustrious and accomplished members of this disadvantaged group by describing them as "grey, golfing has-beens" - or did I misunderstand? Perhaps that description is actually a compliment - a state to which all neglected adult men aspire? Mr Waters has also demonstrated uncommon journalistic courage by being alone in pointing out that "many men secretly regard the first female Presidency as an unsuccessful experiment." Knowing the high standards of The Irish Times, I am sure that Mr Waters can produce sources and reliable statistics to back up this statement. I echo his plea to the women of Ireland to reach out to our disadvantaged male adult minority. Forget about children, travellers, refugees, homeless people or other groups who have diverted our compassion (except for adult male members of such groups). Let's unite behind Mr Waters's call to elect a "grey, golfing has-been". While we are at it, let's go further! As Mr Waters points out, we must reverse the trend against adult males - "our most denigrated and discriminated-against minority." Let's admit that the 15 per cent of managers in Irish business who are female are denying adult males much-needed promotions; that paying women 70 per cent of the salary men get for doing the same job is too much; that we have too many women representing us in government (it's in double figures now, after all). There's still plenty of time to stop the rot before full equality is upon us! - Yours, etc.,
A. Pringle,
Inverness Road,
Dublin 3.