Jim Clark wrote in response to Michael Smith: >And it hardly seems like much of a stretch, given widespread >concern about forcing girls into marriage and related acts >among certain cultural groups, and the dire consequences >for girls who resist. Following article describes problem >in UK, for example. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/mar/11/forcedmarriageswhocounts
As Jim writes, it was hardly a stretch for me to raise the possibility in the case of the young Iraqi Kurdish woman that she was a reluctant victim of a forced marriage. Another illustration that it is a significant problem among some communities in the UK comes from this 2008 article in the Independent: “Hundreds of children fearing for their lives have called a new national helpline set up to assist victims of forced marriages since its launch four months ago… Many are seeking ways to escape parents and family members who are trying to force them into unwanted marriages. According to the first national breakdown of callers, an average of 62 victims are phoning for help every week. One in 10 is under the age of 16…” http://tinyurl.com/4htono Unfortunately fear of accusations of “cultural insensitivity” that Michael Smith suggested in my case has hindered the tackling of the problem: “Campaigners complain that historically the Government, police and local authorities have been afraid of tackling forced marriages and honour crimes for fear of upsetting those communities accused of practising them.” Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London [email protected] http://www.esterson.org -------------------------------------------- From: Jim Clark <[email protected]> Subject: Re: A Doctor in Iraq Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:01:19 -0600 Hi I believe you would have to say "British cultural insensitivity" in Allen's case, although generally it does seem common to lump all those Eurocentric types together. As for the question of "being forced into marriage" as a possible explanation for the girl's distress, personally I would tend to give it greater credence than demonic possession, even absent evidence in this specific case, much as I would be more likely to attribute someone having the sniffles to a cold, sadness, and the like rather than a spirit trying to find its way out the nose. Not all hypotheses are created equal. And it hardly seems like much of a stretch, given widespread concern about forcing girls into marriage and related acts among certain cultural groups, and the dire consequences for girls who resist. Following article describes problem in UK, for example. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/mar/11/forcedmarriageswhocounts The article and subsequent discussion makes clear that getting firm figures on the extent of the problem, even in the UK, is a real challenge. Imagine how much more challenging to get sound information in Iraq and other middle eastern countries, especially in rural areas. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=7568 or send a blank email to leave-7568-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
