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> sexually assaulting people The problem is that what is considered "sexually assaulting people" is relative to one's culture, education, religion, etc. In an
by gbog 13y ago
> sexually assaulting people
The problem is that what is considered "sexually assaulting people" is relative to one's culture, education, religion, etc.
In ancient China just the bare foot of a girl was the most intimate thing you could imagine, something a husband will never get from his wife. In Tang dynasty apparently showing breasts was considered normal.
Right now in France saying "my dear" (ma chérie) when addressing to a colleague is a bit borderline but "you look pretty today" is ok (while not 100% innocent). Maybe it is the opposite in the US?
There is also this story (is it true?) of African students coming to France in the 70ties and raping girls who accepted to come to their room: in their original culture a girl who accept to go the room of a boy already accepted to make love, and the "no! please, no!" thing is a gameplay.
Not to talk about how things are in Japan...
I am not sure the current most common definition of the limit between laughing together and "sexual assault" in the USA is the best one and should be used as a worldwide norm. I would bet against it actually.
- steveklabnik 13y ago> The problem is that what is considered "sexually assaulting people" is relative to one's culture, education, religion, etc. This is why we have laws. And the assault didn't happen 'worldwide,' it happened in the USA. So the definition is not really ambiguous.
- gbog 13y agoBut laws, while necessary, are very inefficient at avoiding bad behaviors. If I don't steal my neighbors or assault girls, it is not chiefly because it is forbidden by laws, it is because I would feel ashamed of myself. Edit: what I mean is that using the self esteem, sense of honor, education, all these old things might prove more efficient than laws, and maybe especially in problems related to disrespect of women.
- steveklabnik 13y agoAgreed, I only mean that 'yeah but how do you define sexual assault?' has a clear answer.
- chris_wot 13y agoNot to mention, the offender lives in the same culture that defines what he did as sexual assault. The argument, to my mind is a little specious.