New Swiss laws...

[creaker]

You are punishing their thoughts with your philosophy. Thought police. That is a serious, serious, thing. Orthodox Jewish women don't shake the hands with men. Would you require that same attitude-adjustment of them in Swiss society?

Forcing children to shake hands if their parents teach them not to do that seems silly to me. I think we as a society should save the "forcing against their will" for the very few things that have been demonstrated as necessary for public safety.

+1

[Tybee]

I have some serious concerns about forcing people to do physical things that are outside their negotiated boundaries of consent and be denied agency over their own bodies. *Especially* when the people are children. The whole concept makes me wince.

+ 100

[Lainey]

I am thinking of the acculturation that is expected of Americans and Europeans when they live in a majority Muslim country. Was watching a news show on TV a number of years ago where a female American soldier complained how she was required to cover herself with a hijab every time she left the base, even when she was just inside a vehicle. Of course male soldiers had no such requirement. She fought that regulation but I don't know how it ended up.

So if the accommodation was reciprocal in all cultures, meaning a non-Muslim woman can walk down the street in a majority Muslim country without a head covering and her hair flowing and that would be okay, then we wouldn't have this discussion. But we are taught to "respect" that culture and accommodate ourselves to it even as temporary visitors and not to mention actually living there. I doubt any such person who did not respect those cultural ways would find themselves welcome to stay there.

And my earlier comment was more aimed at the idea that a Muslim boy can shake the hands of a male teacher, but not a female teacher. This is where he is being taught this strict gender separation. Teachers are human beings first. They are not being asked to hug, or kiss twice on the cheeks, the opposite gender teacher. It is a simple handshake.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I think there's bound to be a lot of misinterpretation interpreting Swiss culture through American norms as well, I mean they may be a lot more into the handshaking than in the U.S.etc..

[Chicken lady]

It is unwanted physical contact from an adult.

i am entirely with Bae on this one!

lainey, try looking at it through this lense: "keep your laws off my body."

[Ultralight]

Hypothetical:

Swiss Muslim boy has acute appendicitus and needs emergency medical attention. Only doctor around is a lady. The kid and the parents don't want the female doctor and the kid to have contact that is required for examination and treatment.

Then what?

Okay... let all the rationalizations for "emergencies" roll in. Go!

[iris lilies]

Hypothetical:

Swiss Muslim boy has acute appendicitus and needs emergency medical attention. Only doctor around is a lady. The kid and the parents don't want the female doctor and the kid to have contact that is required for examination and treatment.

Then what?

Okay... let all the rationalizations for "emergencies" roll in. Go!

well, what are the options in the U.S. for this kind of thing? Probably thse options would work for me.

[Ultralight]

well, what are the options in the U.S. for this kind of thing? Probably thse options would work for me.

U.S. Cultural imperialism much?

[Chicken lady]

Generally children are not allowed to die for their religious beliefs, adults are. The theory being that children are not mature enough to make that decision. So social services usually steps in and authorizes treatment.

[Ultralight]

Generally children are not allowed to die for their religious beliefs, adults are.

Generally yes, in cultures you see as acceptable.