Reppression Junction, What's Your Function?
Before proceeding, ever-so-kindly read this
I'm fascinated by this article, not because I don't know of such restrictions on societies exist, but I was under the impression that they were ususally caused by religious "forces". (Ethnocentricity, anyone?)
Apparently, the city of Singapore is indeed a very strict one, by my standards. I can't even really say "western" standards, because I lost my most recent edition of "Western Standards Weekly" and I would hate to err in such an important blog posting.
I live in a strict society, by my standards. To not be able to marry whom I wish, for not being able to burn a flag in protest, both are koo koo!
Attempting to wrap my mind aroung Singapore's laws, I cannot help but feel totally confused by their repression of one's sexuality. What are they trying to accomplish by such laws? Perhaps there's a very valid reason - too many people, for instance. But to restrict porn? It would seem to me that repressing one's carnal desires is on par with asking them to not wipe their butt after they poop. Maybe they don't anyway, but that's a personal choice and something that has nothing to do with this post, but I just had to type "poop".
What say you, fellow bloggers? Is it with too much of a western attitude that I say, "Hey Singapore, put down your yard stick and lighten up!" Or should I back off and say, "Hey man, that's cool. You're better people for not allowing porn."
I'm fascinated by this article, not because I don't know of such restrictions on societies exist, but I was under the impression that they were ususally caused by religious "forces". (Ethnocentricity, anyone?)
Apparently, the city of Singapore is indeed a very strict one, by my standards. I can't even really say "western" standards, because I lost my most recent edition of "Western Standards Weekly" and I would hate to err in such an important blog posting.
I live in a strict society, by my standards. To not be able to marry whom I wish, for not being able to burn a flag in protest, both are koo koo!
Attempting to wrap my mind aroung Singapore's laws, I cannot help but feel totally confused by their repression of one's sexuality. What are they trying to accomplish by such laws? Perhaps there's a very valid reason - too many people, for instance. But to restrict porn? It would seem to me that repressing one's carnal desires is on par with asking them to not wipe their butt after they poop. Maybe they don't anyway, but that's a personal choice and something that has nothing to do with this post, but I just had to type "poop".
What say you, fellow bloggers? Is it with too much of a western attitude that I say, "Hey Singapore, put down your yard stick and lighten up!" Or should I back off and say, "Hey man, that's cool. You're better people for not allowing porn."
posted by Infused Confusion at
8:34 AM
5 Comments:
What I'm wondering is: what's 'Lord of the Strings' ?? Am I being naive?
By
Anonymous, At
11:09 AM
It's a movie about braiding pubic hair. Duh.
By
Infused Confusion, At
11:46 AM
Seems repressive to me
Isn't singapore the place where that american kid was caned a few years ago?
By
Anonymous, At
1:57 PM
Yup. Caned for vandalism.
Here's where I don't know what side to take. On one hand, I could be a cultural relativist and say that we shouldn't judge Singapore by Western ideals because doing so would be ethnocentric.
On the other hand, where does it stop? Where do we draw the line between what's universally acceptable and what's taboo?
Case in point: Female "circumcision," or more aptly titled, female genital mutilation. This has been practiced by many tribes in Africa for generations. Should we step back and say, "hey, it's just their culture and who are we to intervene," or should we tell them to "stop because it's torture"?
By
Mr. Burns, At
6:02 PM
Of course, Evan, many people are now considering male circumcision "genital mutilation" as well. Which is not to say that they are comparable, but they are similar (and many anti-circumcision advocates would say that they are the same thing).
I think that religion may be playing some part in this ban on pornography, though I could be wrong. I know that Islam is spreading throughout southeast Asia. Though, this is still around in countries that haven't had seen as much of the spread of Islam. For example, Japanese pornogaphy isn't allowed to show penetration. Which may have something to do with rules of what it means to be "decent" and honorable conduct. It's morality freed from religion.
Controlling sexuality (whether actions or representations) is pretty much all over the place, so, I don't really find this too surprising.
I think I'll just continue to be an Americanist and not look outside my own nation for problems with humanity. Especially if they conflict with my own world view. ;)
Here's some interesting information on Singapore (From the CIA World Factbook):
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sn.html
By
Ben A. Johnson, At
6:40 PM
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