Different is Different Not Bad Just Different S
“Different is Different. Not Bad, Just Different!”
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Cambodian Teen Sex Huts http: //channel. nationalgeographic. com/channel/taboo /videos/cambodian-love-huts/
What do you think taboo means? a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing. What are some things that are “taboo” in the U. S. ? Things that we don’t find appropriate to do, or speak about?
Being A Polygamist
Most of us frown upon the idea of polygamy, but it’s considered an acceptable lifestyle in many other places around the world. For instance in Africa, children are considered to be symbolic of wealth, so polygamy is an appealing lifestyle because of how quickly it allows families to grow.
Being Or Using A Prostitute
Prostitution has some terrible connotations in America, but in places like Germany, it’s just like any other respectable profession. For instance, if you are unemployed for a year and refuse to take an available job (like being a prostitute), the government reserves the right to slash your unemployment benefits.
Using And Possessing Illegal Drugs
People in this country spend their whole lives in jail for messing around with and distributing illegal substances. But we don’t see that happening in Portugal because in 2001, it became the first European country to completely decriminalize the possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. The government now recommends therapy to addicts instead of sentencing them to incarceration.
Being Sexually Attracted To Children
Pedophiles are the scum of society here, but in Greece, being sexually attracted to children is recognized as an ailment. Earlier this year, The Labor Ministry added pedophilia and kleptomania to the list of state-wide disabilities, and now gives people who “suffer” from such disorders more government assistance than people who have received organ transplants
Having An Arranged Marriage
Western civilizations believe individuals have a right to choose for themselves who they marry. But there are other places in the world (most notably in India) that support the idea of parents choosing a partner for their child. Americans in particular are against the idea of arranged marriages, but studies show that people in arranged marriages had more love for each other after 30 years of marriage than people who married who they wanted.
Drinking While Pregnant
American women generally avoid alcohol once they learn they’re pregnant because they know how dangerous it can be for their babies. But as recently as 2008, 52% of French women admitted to having at least one drink during their pregnancies. Experts who analyzed the study concluded this was because there wasn’t enough information about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in France, and that some French women believe that regularly drinking small amounts of alcohol wouldn’t affect their babies in any way.
Driving Drunk
Most countries have laws in place to punish anyone who drives drunk. But in Barbados, there are no laws against driving under the influence. What they do have, however, are laws against driving without “care” and “attention. ”
Cheating On A Spouse
Infidelity is a big no-no in the USA (most of the time), but it’s no biggie in Russia. In 1998, a study showed that Russian men and women were the most willing to engage in and approve of extramarital affairs. Additionally, women in relationships seem to “expect” to be cheated on. In an anonymous interview with Slate Magazine, a woman said infidelity has become a “way of life, ” and that it’s both accepted and expected.
Group Activity: Ranking Taboos Match List of Discussion Topics to Level of Taboo Discuss: What is different from the U. S. ?
U. S. & India traveltaboo. org gives do’s and don’ts when traveling to different countries Read the U. S. do’s and don’ts. Anything surprise you? Read India’s. Discuss the differences. Would you do any of these things if you did not know it was taboo in their culture?
If Time: Game with Groups
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