Saudi Judge Okays Domestic Violence

All I can do is SMH. There are so many reports that the Saudi's are trying to curb domestic violence, but you have a judge that seems to have no issues with it. I know their culture is different from ours, but they do see an issue with domestic violence because they've been trying to curb it.

Well, there's a number of reasons why they are covered from head to toe. One reason is because the men don't want their wives to tempt other men. Many feel that a woman is a sensual being and they want to eliminate a lot of the temptation.

There is a level of respect, too. The men highly respect the women. Their culture is one that the males runs the family. There is a level of order that needs to be maintained and a man is held accountable for a disorderly home.

I completely understand where they are coming from. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. We had similar things here in the US. In the US in the past, the man was held accountable for their home. They are still held accountable. The difference between then and now is the feminist movement opened the eyes of many and changed things. They are just going through their changes and it takes time to change and accept the changes.

Can I be upset at what is said? I can, but what's the use? I understand the psychology behind a major change in direction. Eventually, you will see a difference, but that takes time. We've seen it here. There are still people that are abusers. Things take time to change.

I understand what their issues are. Remember, in the past, women weren't treated fairly in courts, so our judges did similar things as this judge without saying it. They would overlook men committing domestic violence by they way they ruled on things. We have to understand that it will take years before things get to where we are, if indeed they are going that direction.

An excerpt from: Saudi judge: It's OK to slap spendthrift wives:

(CNN) -- Husbands are allowed to slap their wives if they spend lavishly, a Saudi judge said recently during a seminar on domestic violence, Saudi media reported Sunday.

Arab News, a Saudi English-language daily newspaper based in Riyadh, reported that Judge Hamad Al-Razine said that "if a person gives SR 1,200 [$320] to his wife and she spends 900 riyals [$240] to purchase an abaya [the black cover that women in Saudi Arabia must wear] from a brand shop and if her husband slaps her on the face as a reaction to her action, she deserves that punishment."

Women in the audience immediately and loudly protested Al-Razine's statement, and were shocked to learn the remarks came from a judge, the newspaper reported.

Arab News reported that Al-Razine made his remark as he was attempting to explain why incidents of domestic violence had increased in Saudi Arabia. He said that women and men shared responsibility, but added that "nobody puts even a fraction of blame" on the men, the newspaper said.

There's a poll in the MIM Forums: Saudi Judge Okays Domestic Violence

posted by Rosko @ 7:16 PM