Even though most moral codes are linked to cultural & society, does not mean we have to accept cultural relativism when it comes to child abuse in any form.

We cannot deny that cultural differences are real and are important in analyzing and judging cases, but cultural relativism taken to the negative extreme can be hurtful, cruel and violating to the universal laws of children's rights.

I. Cultural relativism says that good and bad are related to culture. What is "good" is what is "socially approved" in a culture and society. What is "normal" is what is shown to us in society, be it good or bad to others of another society. For example an Indian man may think that the color white is a sign of death and a widow would have to wear that after her husband is deceased, while in other cultures, white is the color of a brides dress.

Cultural relativists see other cultures, not as "wrong," but as "different." I believe that cultural relativists believe in "live and let live", but yet human nature is to judge and compare. Therefore it is important to have a universal law that defines right from wrong. In some countries, we cannot control the social behaviors. In certain cases,

On Feb 3rd, 1999 a person by the name of Hawa Greou went on trial in France on charges of "voluntarily bodily injury causing mutilation or permanent disability." She had admitted to mutilating the genitals of about 50 young girls. Also charged were the parents of the victims. The defendant's lawyer said "If the trial can help bring about an end to this custom, then it will be useful. But punishment is not as effective as education and prevention...This is an African custom that has existed for centuries. It takes a long time to change habits."

Thus I believe that a 5 year sentence is not enough, there needs to be more public education.

Cultural relativism has some values that should be accepted and understood by law, allowing the Sikh's to carry daggers around for example, or to wear a turban in the work place. Alison Renteln states that " lack of cultural sensitivity can prove to be expensive" what she means to say is that law officials are at times ignorant about cultures, and that if they would dig deep enough to find the motive, they would realize that religion was a factor. I agree with here theory but I believe that the unacceptable extremes should not be ignored by the law or any one on that matter. I am from a culture background, yet born in the modern day, find it hard to accept certain things about other cultures, yet I do know the flaws of my own culture and would not stand for it in my culture or any other culture.

After the scandal in Boston in January 2002 broke involving priest, John Geoghan, priests nationwide have been turned over to prosecutors for child abuse. Church officials have kept silent for over 40 years and have failed to report sex abuse cases to law officials. Clergymen who have been suspected have simply been moved from parish to parish where abuse continued on children. Not to mention this was known to the cardinal..

Some common words found in the essay are:
Surprised Bibliography, Association NAMBLA, Alison Renteln, Children's Rights, Amanda Bates, Afghanistan Africa, Corporal Punishment, FGM Canada, John Ken, Science Church, corporal punishment, child abuse, cultural relativism, catholic church, religious freedom, genital mutilation, medical treatment, church officials, third world countries, punishment child, love association, female genital mutilation, priest john geoghan, child abuse home, love association nambla,
Approximate Word count = 3097
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)