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SusanofO -> RE: Eradicating women. (8/20/2007 1:13:12 AM)
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We're a hell of lot better, I do believe. That's my point. Yes, we in the U.S. have a few problems (Foster care horrors, etc.) - but at least the U. S. has instituted foster care as a real life working concept, and we value UMs (boys and girls) having a right to a free education, etc.
I know you may disagree these are pertinent difference with some other countries, and that's fine with me, if you do. I am not sure this has as much to do with wealth as it has to do with the prevailing culture in a country.
Are we getting child welfare 100% perfect, here in the U.S? Of course not. But I hardly think we compare to places like Thailand or India or China, on some very pertinent bases.
In places like Thailand and Vietnam, the entire culture is different, in that they do not value their children as human beings. That is what allows them to sell them off to brothels at the age of, say, five or eight - for a goat or a few chickens, or for $50. Nobody stops it. It's a common practice. Name one place in the U.S. where this takes place on a routine basis, in full view of the police?
In some countries, this kind of thing simply would never take place, no matter how wealthy or poor the people were, IMO. I see it as a cultural difference more than an economic one (although economics might make it easier to justify).
* Maybe I should not discuss this particular aspect of child welfare differences anymore, because I truly don't want this thread to get pulled. But perhaps by now you've seen my point. I do consider it a very valid one.
I don't care if some see this POV as "arrogant". I do think we value children more here (and in some other western cultures) than some other countries do, and I think it's extremely sad that it continues (although some folks are trying to stop it, I think it will probably take a long time to be successful at that, like decades).
- Susan
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