Raping children is wrong September 30, 2009

That’s one of those examples we might use when we need an example of a really obvious moral truth, right? Apparently, however, we should be careful to add “unless you’re a famous director”.

Kate Harding sets things out beautifully.

Roman Polanski raped a child. Let’s just start right there, because that’s the detail that tends to get neglected when we start discussing whether it was fair for the bail-jumping director to be arrested at age 76, after 32 years in “exile” (which in this case means owning multiple homes in Europe, continuing to work as a director, marrying and fathering two children, even winning an Oscar, but never — poor baby — being able to return to the U.S.). Let’s keep in mind that Roman Polanski gave a 13-year-old girl a Quaalude and champagne, then raped her, before we start discussing whether the victim looked older than her 13 years, or that she now says she’d rather not see him prosecuted because she can’t stand the media attention. Before we discuss how awesome his movies are or what the now-deceased judge did wrong at his trial, let’s take a moment to recall that according to the victim’s grand jury testimony, Roman Polanski instructed her to get into a jacuzzi naked, refused to take her home when she begged to go, began kissing her even though she said no and asked him to stop; performed cunnilingus on her as she said no and asked him to stop; put his penis in her vagina as she said no and asked him to stop; asked if he could penetrate her anally, to which she replied, “No,” then went ahead and did it anyway, until he had an orgasm.

Drugging and raping a child, then leaving the country before you can be sentenced for it, is behavior our society should not tolerate, no matter how famous, wealthy or well-connected you are

Can we do that? Can we take a moment to think about all that, and about the fact that Polanski pled guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, before we start talking about what a victim he is? Because that would be great, and not nearly enough people seem to be doing it.

Reader Cait points us to these particularly egregious examples of the widespread child-rapist-defending going on. One about how the girl “seduced’ him. The other a petition for his release.

Yes, her head IS bigger than her pelvis September 30, 2009

Sometimes you don’t have to tell people an image has been altered. (Thanks to Mr Jender and the excellent Photoshop Disasters.)

Check out this party platform! September 30, 2009

From the UK’s Liberal Democrats:

* Providing twenty hours of free, good quality childcare per week, for all children from 18 months to when they start school
* Requiring companies to publish data on the pay scales within their organisations and conduct pay audits

* Introducing a ‘name blanking’ policy so that job applicants apply with National Insurance numbers

* Modules on body image, health and well-being, and media literacy to be taught in schools

* Tackle body image pressure by requiring advertisers to label all adverts, disclosing the extent of digital retouching of images of people

American readers may well be assuming that OF COURSE any party called the ‘Liberal Democrats’ must so far left as to be irrelevant, but that would be wrong. The political spectrum is different here in ways that make comparison tricky, but (a) The Lib Dems have traditionally been viewed as the middle-of-the-road alternative to Labour and the Conservatives (though I think this isn’t quite right); and (b) They are a serious third party, and one that controls much of local government in the UK. (Thanks, Andrew!)

Case dismissed: no justice for Janice Langbehn September 30, 2009

Janice Langbehn’s life partner, Lisa Pond, was hurried to hospital with a brain aneurysm during a family cruise with their three children in 2007. Janice and her children were denied access to Lisa’s deathbed, even though there was no medical reason to prevent it. They waited for hours and only got to see Lisa after she had just died. Janice did provide the hospital with the medical power of attorney document.

From the report:

[...] the hospital refused to accept information from Janice about her partner’s medical history. Janice was informed that she was in an antigay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as Lisa’s partner or family. A doctor finally spoke with Janice telling her that there was no chance of recovery.

Janice filed a lawsuit against the hospital, but the court dismissed that, yesterday.

The court ruled that the hospital has neither an obligation to allow their patients’ visitors nor any obligation whatsoever to provide their patients’ families, healthcare surrogates, or visitors with access to patients in their trauma unit.

“Working Mothers’ Children Unfit” September 29, 2009

So sayeth the BBC. A study

found that five-year-olds whose mothers worked part-time or full-time were more likely to primarily consume sweetened drinks between meals. They used their computers or watched television for at least two hours a day compared to the children of “stay at home” mothers who spent less than two hours on these activities. They were also more likely to be driven to school compared to the children of “stay at home” mothers who tended to walk or cycle.

The study’s author, Professor Catherine Law says:

they had not looked at fathers in this study because fathers employment levels had not changed whereas the numbers of working mothers had increased dramatically. [Further,] “Time constraints may limit parents’ capacity to provide their children with healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. Our results do not imply that mothers should not work. Rather they highlight the need for policies and programmes to help support parents.”

Imagine if the BBC had framed their article to reflect that: “Better after-school care needed”, for example. But no, they’ve opted for the very catchy mother-blaming option. And one that completely absolves fathers of responsibility for childcare. (Thanks, Jender-Parents!)

Ethical issues about academic advice September 29, 2009

I do an awful lot of academic advising, from the very formal writing of letters and filling out forms, to the informal chats with students about careers in philosophy. And I have to say there are days when it all seems ethically complicated to me. There are a few different sorts of dilemmas I face. here’s one: Clearly I want there to be more women in philosophy, more sexual diversity too, as well as ethnic and racial diversity. But I also think philosophy can be a lonely place for those who don’t fit the mold. It’s a conservative discipline and while that will only change as the people who make up philosophy departments change, there are days when I’m not sure about encouraging young people to pursue careers in philosophy. It’s this mix of utilitarian considerations—we’d all be better off if the discipline were more diverse—and paternalistic concern for those first faces of diversity. I want to say, “I love philosophy too but it can lonely here. Some philosophers might not think the kind of issues that interest you are sufficiently philosophical. Or if they are seen as philosophical, they might be seen as ‘light weight’ or on the edge of the discipline. Many philosophers with interests in gender, sexuality, and race end up with joint appointments in order to find an intellectual community where there work is valued. Or, philosophers might expect you to teach courses about race/gender even if your interests are in logic or analytic metaphysics.” Am I just having a bad day? What do you say to students who you think won’t fit in but for whom there ought to be a place? How to we balance the goals of promoting diversity and being honest about how rough it can be?

Combating Creationism: A useful resource September 29, 2009

It’s a bit scary and/or creepy.  If you teach in the US, you probably have students in your classes who have a very different  understanding of causation of our world than most philosophy professors do.  It isn’t exactly that they think the walls of your classroom are actually supported by the leprechauns – though quite possibly a few do – but they certainly think that what science purports to tell them about the originals of the universe and the evolution of the species is just all wrong.  And this means that their capacity to react critically to all sorts of things is impaired.

TalkOrigins has what  looks to be a useful site, with a depressingly long list of false claims creationists make.  Some are very familiar, others perhaps less so – such as sea shells on mountain tops – and still others I think very esoteric.   I had no idea, for example, there was anything special about woodpeckers’ tongues.  Actually, there isn’t, but that’s not what creationists claim.

You can click on a claim and you are taken to an explanation and rebuttal.  The rebuttals are sometimes too short, I think, and require more thought than may be available in the actual dialectic, but it’s something teachers can figure out, and sources are cited.  So don’t despair the next time a student tells you that NASA scientists  have discovered a day is missing.

Trouble with virginity September 29, 2009

It was probably just coincidence that I saw this article about mass marriages and accompanying forced virginity tests in India and this article on the scandalous atrocity of faking virginity in Egypt on the same day (thanks delphicoracle).

Of course it’s not just exotic countries where there’s such a stress on virginity before wedlock; there’s the concept of virginity pledges in the US as well.

Made me wonder whether there are actually non religious folk who focus on virginity like that, so I googled it, and got an answer on yahoo answers. There probably are better answers, but at least it was funny, while the whole virginity cultus is not.

Wrong embryo implanted September 29, 2009

A fertility clinic accidentally implanted the wrong embryo into Carolyn Savage’s womb, and they found out quite early. All parties involved felt it was very clear whose baby was born, and that’s why Savage voluntarily handed it over to its genetic parents.

“This was someone else’s child,” 40-year-old Carolyn Savage told the AP on Wednesday. “We didn’t know who it was. We didn’t know if they didn’t have children or if this was their last chance for a child.”

But I imagine there are plenty of views of motherhood on which this is far from a straightforward case. (Thanks, Jender-Parents.)

Illegal childcare September 28, 2009

BBC report here on two women police officers who were told they were breaking the law with their reciprocal childcare arrangement. That they were doing each other a favour has been interpreted as providing the childcare ‘for reward’ – something ruled out by the 2006 Childcare Act:

“Generally, mothers who look after each other’s children are not providing childminding for which registration is required, as exemptions apply to them, for example because the care is for less than two hours or it takes place on less than 14 days in a year.

“Where such arrangements are regular and for longer periods, then registration is usually required.”

Close relatives of children, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts or uncles, were exempt from the rules, [an Ofsted spokesoman] added.

This debacle seems to be underpinned by inconsistent views of the value of childcare: on the one hand, the state hasn’t gone far enough to recognise childcare as important work for which carers should be adequately reimbursed; on the other, that it sometimes is undertaken as paid work (by registered childcarers) causes these kinds of confusions in the application of regulations. Any thoughts?

Health Care in the USA September 27, 2009

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the now famous TV personality, held a free medical clinic yesterday in Houston. Figures vary, but the Houston Chronical is placing the turn out at nearly 2,000; he had about 700 volunteers helping. That turnout is low, given that one in three people in the county lack health care insurance.

The stories of the people are important and illuminating.   A video from the Chronicle, which I can’t seem to get on this blog, is here.   It is really worth watching.  As the Chronicle says:

Patients told stories of their barriers to health care: insurance loss after layoffs; premiums that became too high to pay; and being underinsured — having coverage, but not enough money to pay deductibles and co-payments.

Here’s another video taken before the clinic opened:

The opening placement of a commercial from Cadillac is too ironic.

The reference to Katrina is to the massive attempt by Houston and Galveston to take in the refugees from the hurricane that devastated New Orleans.   Next to the Reliant Stadium, where Dr. Oz is, is the Astrodome, which provided shelter for the people of New Orleans who were originally in a stadium there.

The Sunday Cat refrains from commenting on: addition September 26, 2009

hairless dogs who frolic in the snow

 

 

except to note that hairless cats are unlikely to do it.

The breed, Chinese Cresteds, also are typically quite vocal:

These are the hairless variety, and they are not shaved.

Added:  another good example of the Cresteds’ song:

Gendered Products Spectacular September 26, 2009

From the work of JeongMee Yoon.

Thanks, Mr Jender! And a special thanks to your insomnia.

Save the Boobs campaign September 26, 2009

Perhaps you’ve heard of this campaign.

Two opposing views of it..
First, the LA Times.

In recent years, the increasing frankness of breast cancer PSAs has been a bright spot of adult sensibility in what is Americans’ generally neurotic relationship to the female anatomy. Bear in mind that our national dialogue was brought to an inane standstill when Janet Jackson’s breast was briefly exposed during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Compared to the “Save the Boobs” spot, Jackson might as well have been wearing a burqa.

Also, this ad — and a couple more like it — represent one of the few occasions when the male tendency to objectify the female body is put to good use, as opposed to selling beer and premium football cable packages. They seem to answer a question that must have nagged breast-cancer-awareness advocates: How to get men to care?

Now Broadsheet:

According to Cho, the group’s founder believes the PSA will encourage men to help their wives and girlfriends check for breast cancer — despite the fact that the ad never includes such a suggestion, even though it would have been easy to build in. (“Like boobs? Why not spend more time touching them? Help your girlfriend check for breast cancer.”)

But what really bothers me about the PSA, aside from the obvious — how problematic it is to sexualize cancer, the implication that only hot girls with nice racks are worth caring about — is its cynicism toward young men. Does Rethink Breast Cancer really believe that the only way to make guys care is to slap together a sexy ad with a boobs-to-information ratio that’s downright offensive? Is it impossible to believe that men’s interest in breast cancer research might go beyond the selfish desire to “Save the boobs”? I’m all for reaching out to get as many people involved in the fight against breast cancer as possible. I just don’t think insulting men’s intelligence is the way to do it.

Thanks, J-Bro and Jender-Parents!

Cervix photos September 25, 2009

Ever wondered what a cervix looks like? Well, wonder no more, because a student midwife has collected photos of cervices to help her learn about female anatomy. The site includes photos she took of her own cervix every day for one cycle. You can see them here.

Poland passes law to enforce chemical castration September 25, 2009

The BBC reports that Poland has now passed legislation making it obligatory to chemically castrate certain sex offenders. The law has been in the making since Poland had their own Fritzl case, back in 2008 (see the TimesOnline for that).

When I read “chemical castration” I was immediately reminded of the recent UK apology to Alan Turing, and wondered briefly whether the Polish government would have to apologise for driving a person to suicide in the coming century. But then I read the article and learnt it’s meant for pedophiles and rapists etc. hence entirely different, or so I think.

The Dutch have the dubitable honour to have the only political single issue pedophile party in the world, which caused quite some worldwide uproar back in 2006. However, because of them I learned of the flabbergasting argument that since homosexuality used to be illegal and is now accepted, obviously that is the way it will go with pedophilia as well. It is just a matter of time.

I see some flaws in the parallel. But nevertheless, despite my almost unreasonal abhorrence of child molesting, I think obligatory chemically castrating of offenders goes too far.

Finally, Beds for Men September 25, 2009

That’s right. Beds for men.

After years of catering to women, manufacturers are setting their sights on men. The new macho mattresses they’re introducing have “muscle-recovery properties” and cooling technology, on the theory that men are more likely to feel too hot in bed. The bed frames feature built-in TVs, iPod docking stations, wine coolers, safes and other guy-friendly gadgetry.

Who are they catering for? Men who really care about their quality of life. Men like Dave Shapiro:

Dave Shapiro, a 33-year-old real-estate investor in Philadelphia, paid $30,000 for a Hollandia International adjustable bed that offers a built-in 32-inch Sony flat-screen TV, surround-sound speakers and outlets for laptops. “The best thing is the TV,” he says. “You don’t have to get up”

Thanks, J-Bro!

Virtual Birthday Greetings to Hypatia! September 25, 2009

Louise Antony writes:

I’m sure there are many of you who, like me, would love to attend the upcoming birthday bash for Hypatia, but just cannot do it. Well, thanks to Alison, her colleague John Manchak, and intrepid cyber-amazon Kate Norlock, you can send to the conference your congratulations, reflections, reminiscences, expressions of appreciation — whatever you’d be saying if you were there in person to say it! John has set up a beautiful blogspot here:

All you have to do is post a comment.

Skull for Girls September 25, 2009

Really.

Want a better view?

Yes, it’s what you’ve been waiting for: another Gendered Products Bonanza here at Feminist Philosophers. Stay tuned. (Thanks to Mr Jender for this one! And, J-Bro fans, don’t worry, there’s a good one coming for you.)

Simply speechless September 23, 2009

Terence Kealey, vice-chancellor of Buckingham University, says female students are a perk of the job for male university lecturers – though they should look, not touch.

In an article for the Times Higher Education magazine on lust, part of a feature on the seven deadly sins of universities, Kealey wrote: “Normal girls – more interested in abs than in labs, more interested in pecs than specs, more interested in triceps than tripos – will abjure their lecturers for the company of their peers, but nonetheless, most male lecturers know that, most years, there will be a girl in class who flashes her admiration and who asks for advice on her essays. What to do?

“Enjoy her! She’s a perk.”

For the rest of the story, see here.

(Thanks J-Bro and Kalbir!)