horrible jindal appointment

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

as for abstinence til marriage....
it's absurd and is fantasizing to assume people will wait til marriage now, if marriage doesn't come til the 30's.
and why should they? people have a right to decide how to act in their private lives.

There is a very strong case to be made for religion controlling people's sexuality as a means of social control, and, specifically, social control of women.

Marriage is a huge undertaking, and sex is just one part of it. Much better to make that decision without "OhmygodIreallywanttoseethispersonnekkid" clouding the process. Not to mention, you're sexually compatible with some people and not with others. Better to test drive the merchandise before you get stuck with it. I'm sure many of us have horror stories.

people are putting off marriage til much later in life than how people used to marry. my husbands grandmother got married at 14. the norm then, the (thankfully) extreme rarity now.

My great-grandmother was married at 15- to a guy in his 30s (my great-grandfather). Her parents both died and the village she and he lived in decided it was the most efficient way of making sure someone was there to take care of her. Ah, romance!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

There is a very strong case to be made for religion controlling people's sexuality as a means of social control, and, specifically, social control of women.

Marriage is a huge undertaking, and sex is just one part of it. Much better to make that decision without "OhmygodIreallywanttoseethispersonnekkid" clouding the process. Not to mention, you're sexually compatible with some people and not with others. Better to test drive the merchandise before you get stuck with it. I'm sure many of us have horror stories.



My great-grandmother was married at 15- to a guy in his 30s (my great-grandfather). Her parents both died and the village she and he lived in decided it was the most efficient way of making sure someone was there to take care of her. Ah, romance!

i absolutely agree about the social control-sex and education are the two big things that people in power use, or try to use to control. keep them stupid has been a ploy for centuries. it was used by the church in the old world, and is employed in many third world and muslim controlled countries now.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i absolutely agree about the social control-sex and education are the two big things that people in power use, or try to use to control. keep them stupid has been a ploy for centuries. it was used by the church in the old world, and is employed in many third world and muslim controlled countries now.

And it's so self-defeating, since women's social status in society is directly connected to the society's economic strength- more equality = better growth. But for some, maintenance of social superiority is more important than a chance for a better life.