That boy knew better than to pay attention to silly self-absorbed navel-gazing trying to pass itself off as social commentary. Everyone could learn something from that boy. You most of all, Ms. Traister.

Obviously you are of the opinion that they aren't. Why don't you just come right out and say it. It would be good for you!

What the boy had learned was to ignore his father, since his old man is obviously a loud-mouthed crybaby, and the kid was sick of his bitching and moaning. So who was the father anyway? Jerry Falwell, Rush Limbaugh, or just another unknown loser?

So now men are losers for even discussing such an issue? Hey Dinky, how well known are you?

I'm beginning to wonder if Anne Coulter has a point, maybe women do belong in the kitchen where no one cares to hear their opinions. Damn you Dinky, damn you to hell for getting me to even think about agreeing with that insane bitch Coulter.

Any father who would bother his six year old with a question like "Are men really necessary?" is a loser. Does anyone think he wanted a real conversation with the kid or did he just want to get the kid to sneer along with him when "those women" started with their nonsense? As for Hell, thanks much. As Mark Twain said, "Heaven for climate, Hell for company.

Why exactly are we supposed to care about this exchange, and does it necessarily have to have a negative association? What's wrong with a little Socratic method and trying to encourage original thought? Isn't it possible that the father wasn't trying to do anything more than encourage his son to think for himself?

I don't think anyone expects a 7-year-old to address the question of whether men are necessary the way Dowd or other adults do. But asking kids questions about topics that may seem beyond them isn't always a bad thing. It stretches the brain a little. The point isn't so much what childrens' answers are, but rather the process of making them give thought to a question or idea.

In this case I think asking the kid a question is a good deal better than the father stating his opinion outright, or ignoring the subject altogether. It encourages critical thinking instead of just parroting a given viewpoint.

Dowd made a good point titling her book as such.

Men ARE optional, like ice cream. Women are necessary. Hence the passive agressive resentment many men feel and act out on women. Besides, women like the resentment men feel against them because it makes for better sex and it gives women an excuse to trash the bad men they inevitably end up picking and sleeping with.

If we men want to be necessary, we need to make our way WITHOUT women too. Let's breed without women, let's make it happen! It is only but a generation of tinkering, and we get the ultimate FREEDOM to do as WE please with our lives for once instead of relying on women and pretending we don't.

I believe most men would avoid women altogether if it wasn't for the sex and the need or desire to procreate. Most women seem insufferably selfish, egotistic and resentful of men if not outright man hating or even crazed.

I love that kid! Good god, people, it's funny!!!! No one is at fault—not the dad, not the kid, and certainly not Ms. Traister!

Men like ice cream, tinkering and breeding together.

That's the sexiest imagery I've read all week.

Wow, there is some serious pent-up anger when a (not so) funny quip creates such responses!

I guess it'd be funnier if I'd read the book in question.

Cloning notwithstanding, both an egg and a sperm are necessary for procreation.

For any other activity, the best person available is who I pick, depending on the task at hand, regardless of gender. I wouldn't like to live a life without either, there have been great contributions from both.

I mean if we're going to fantasize, how about a world without prejudice? A world without violence, a world without hate. But a world without men, no way. Me likee the men.

but, phew kids, get a hold of that anger!!!

They contribute nearly nothing to culture or achievement, at least nothing that men cannot do BETTER. They make outrageous demands of society then pout when they do not get served like princesses.

Breeding is all women do, and that function will soon become an option to men as well.

Instead of pissing and moaning all the time, women need to become useful somehow if they want to be considered important by men. Otherwise they will be left behind further.

No guy, not even a LOSER, wants to deal with a self important but fundamentally trouble making and useless BURDEN.