[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

True, but it's easier to tackle by acknowledging that it DID happen everywhere and mostly HAS been stopped, rather than trying to pretend that our own hands are clean whilst "weird other cultures" do terrible things. It stops the dialogue dead in its tracks and makes such cultures MORE insular and resistant to change.

In other words it's better to say "Hey, we used to do that too but we've moved on and realised that it's not a good thing, and you can too", than "UGH we would NEVER do such disgusting things and you dirty folks must become more like us!"

It's already easy to tackle; stop pandering to P.C. and just say; "Not In OUR Country under OUR laws" - whichever civilised country around the globe that happens to be.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by kirklancaster

It's already easy to tackle; stop pandering to P.C. and just say; "Not In OUR Country under OUR laws" - whichever civilised country around the globe that happens to be.

You're right kirk, I forgot that if you make something illegal it stops happening.

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

You're right kirk, I forgot that if you make something illegal it stops happening.

There are stronger powers/punishments to deal with it if crimiinaluzed as it should be.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

You're right kirk, I forgot that if you make something illegal it stops happening.

Don't start. We both know it doesn't but at least it gives us the ability to punish the filthy bastards who decide to carry on with the practice and it does give some protection to those little girls and affords any sympathetic relatives the opportunity to get official help.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by kirklancaster

Don't start. We both know it doesn't but at least it gives us the ability to punish the filthy bastards who decide to carry on with the practice and it does give some protection to those little girls and affords any sympathetic relatives the opportunity to get official help.

But surely it is already illegal and still happens? To be honest... Regardless of legality, and though its obviously not AS bad, it still leaves a sour taste when 30+ year olds are marrying 16 year olds (with family pressure) which is of course totally legal. It has to be tackled at a cultural level, as well as a legal level, or its pointless.

As has been said "forced marriages" are wrong even when it's not children who are the victims of it, and how can you tackle that legally? Usually in the west it's not literal force or the threat of violence - its simple obedience to the authority of parents, threats of being disowned by the family, shamed, etc. and you can't legislate against those things. Yes it's abhorrent for any parent to disown and shame their young adult offspring for not being obedient - but it's impossible to make it illegal. So people will legally agree to arranged marriage, just like ol' Prince Charles did, out of duty... Even though if you really look at it, it's still forced.

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

But surely it is already illegal and still happens? To be honest... Regardless of legality, and though its obviously not AS bad, it still leaves a sour taste when 30+ year olds are marrying 16 year olds (with family pressure) which is of course totally legal. It has to be tackled at a cultural level, as well as a legal level, or its pointless.

As has been said "forced marriages" are wrong even when it's not children who are the victims of it, and how can you tackle that legally? Usually in the west it's not literal force or the threat of violence - its simple obedience to the authority of parents, threats of being disowned by the family, shamed, etc. and you can't legislate against those things. Yes it's abhorrent for any parent to disown and shame their young adult offspring for not being obedient - but it's impossible to make it illegal. So people will legally agree to arranged marriage, just like ol' Prince Charles did, out of duty... Even though if you really look at it, it's still forced.

Culture is just as big an excuse - oh well it’s just their culture. No it’s not - simple decency, intelligence and humanity (a word thrown around a lot lately by some) should tell most people it’s wrong. You shouldn’t need to be told that by anyone whatever your culture.