When In Rome, Do as the Romans Do?
Today in Sociology we discussed many things, one being cultural differences and laws in different countries.
For example: Two brothers from the Middle East, ages 34 and 28 came to live in Nevada. They were charged with first degree statutory rape because their wives are 13 and 14 years old.
Is this fair? Should these men not have sex or be married to these women just because they live in the U.S.? Is it their responsibility to conform totally to the culture and laws of a country they reside in?
Sure, individuals should know the law of any place in which they reside, but in a time of unbridled legislation, it is difficult for the non-lawyer to really know what the law is. Did you know that in NC it is against the law to sing out of tune?
Some would argue that these laws (like singing out of tune) don't matter, because they are not often enforced. I say that too many laws make it too easy for politicians to punish people they don't like.
Should we be ethnocentric in that we judge their culture by our standards? Or should we exhibit cultural relativism, and recognize the differences between our cultures and realize they have different traditions that work for them?
All citizens should respect the law of a country. But this law, like so many others in the US, impose one group's moral ideas on another. That is wrong. On the other hand, laws should reflect a core of common values: Don't kill, steal, hurt, or defraud. Our Constitution is based on this premise-everyone is entitled to life, liberty, the fruit of one's labor, and the pursuit of happiness. Is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (natural rights of humankind) only relative to our culture?
If the marriage and sexual relations were at all voluntary on the wives' part, then these charges are in violation of the right to pursue happiness.
It is easy to say "well the women are probably brainwashed and wouldn't otherwise carry on with these men". Perhaps not. We don't really know what they would have done otherwise.
Some may say "these women's rights are being trampled on-they are not allowed to exercise their free will and thus have been abused". Perhaps this is the case-and no, force should not be used upon anyone. Not even by an agenda set by the government, unless it is to protect these women’s natural rights.
Others say that "minors" have no natural rights until they are classified as "adults". This is a violation of parental rights when the government makes parental decisions for us. On the other hand, how can we let men have relations with such young girls? I am not clear as to how to resolve this in my own mind.
If you went to live in the Middle East, would you do as the Middle Easterners do? Would you follow a law that is in violation of your own values? Do you follow laws now that are in violation of your own values?
2:23:18 PM 
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