Are these societies all sick and depraved people? when a marriage is allowed between an adult and a 16 year old, is that a monstrous thing?
2006-10-03 10:38:52 · 9 answers · asked by martin h 6 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Can I just say that only 50 years ago women in the USA were getting married at 17. They were considered adults. Of course their husbands were no more than 10 years older, but still. Our values have changed and we have extended childhood and adolescence through age 22, which happens to be the graduating age.
Different cultures have different views of adolescence and childhood- some do not eve have a teenage year period. Our concept of childhood/adolescence in the Western Culture has only been around since the Industrial Revolution So..in other societies it is normal for a 16 yr old to get married.
2006-10-03 13:28:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different societies have different taboos. Though 16 may be too young for some, it is not so for others. In the olden days, people would get married much younger than nowadays because of a higher mortality rate -- people were just dying at a younger age. I may be wrong about this but just for example, a country such as India may allow marriage to a 16 year old, but other things that seem normal to us are taboo to them, like hamburger. The Hindus over there consider cows as a sacred animal and eating them is very sacrilegious. What is monstrous to you and I may be acceptable for others because of different values and beliefs so don't sweat it too much because not every culture is like ours but if you want to change them, go be a missionary in those coutries that allow that sort of thing if you want them to repent for their evil ways.
2006-10-03 17:53:49 · answer #2 · answered by Vino 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Adulthood, whatever a particular society determines that to be, is when marriage is acceptable. Most societies practice this norm with little variation. However, for a society where a norm is a given age, the population is fully expected to comply with that practice.
This is completely different than a culture that openly practices pedophilia, which we would rightly call backward and evil based upon Judeo-Christian values of the West, Islamic values of the Middle East and even the more "liberal" religions of the Far East. Even committed non-believers who deny absolute truth are revolted by pedophilia.
I'm not sure by the tone of your question if your query pertains to the first or second paragraph of this response. In the case of the first, I would simply offer the hope that "love waits". In the case of the second, I would urge immediate counseling.
2006-10-03 18:00:06 · answer #3 · answered by Str8ShootR 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In some cultures it is considered a good thing for a man of 30 to marry a child of 14. In the United States it is not only illegal but it is also immoral. Some countries figure that a girl is able to wed as soon as she becomes of age to conceive a child. Yes in my eyes it is disgusting. In other peoples eyes in other cultures it is considered a wonderful thing.
2006-10-03 17:48:28 · answer #4 · answered by miamac49616 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Muslims are into younger women. I know mohamed (however you spell it) married a 9 year old girl...yuck.
In Africa its common for children to get raped so that the nasty bastards can avoid aids. I just read that a few months ago and it makes me want to nuke Africa.
2006-10-03 17:47:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, that is not monsterous..
That is society and culture...
16 is young but not monsterous...
2006-10-03 18:45:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's just the way it is in certain cultures. If it bothers you so much go to those countries and change it.
2006-10-03 17:40:51 · answer #7 · answered by ♥vegetarian♥ 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, that is normal here in Europe.
2006-10-03 18:03:10 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just the way it is, dude...
2006-10-03 17:46:29 · answer #9 · answered by Billy 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋