Korean Job Discussion Forums

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

A few random observations...

I agree with those who point to the private status of Harvard as being pertinent here. Some degree of gender segregation is mandated by almost all cultures, and if we allow Curves to operate 24/7 unhindered by the anti-discrimination laws, then there's no reason that Harvard can't provide the same sort of service for a few hours a week.

Having said that, I am familar enough with certain quarters of what might be called the "multiculturalist left" to know that if it were conservative Christians making these sorts of demands, they'd be ridiculed as brainwashed fanatics with an irrational phobia of the female body(the demands would likely be portrayed as male-driven, even if the people requesting the changes were female.) The bottom line is, stricter gender segregation is probably not what most supporters of official multiculturalism have in mind when they imagine the cornucopia of cultural diversity that's supposed to result from a more inclusive polity. And the more that Muslim(and other) advocacy groups argue for offical recognition for that sort of thing, the more their alliance with the diversity crowd will become strained.

mistermasan · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe

that curves hasn't been sued has always been a headscratcher. blatant sex discrimination. women are good enough to serve alongside us in the military but we aren't good enough to sweat alongside them. Rolling Eyes

but then, all public gyms are gross. paid staff = staph.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Big_Bird · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

mistermasan · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe

but...i cannot join curves. because of my sex.

male based gender exclusive clubs have pretty much been forced to go co-ed. female based gender exclusive clubs have so far prospered unscathed despite their inherently illegal operations.

equal treatment for all under the law.

Big_Bird · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject:

mistermasan · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe

tell that to the private athletic clubs that have all been sued to go coed stateside in the past two decades.

you know, nice places where guys could go be guys and they liked it that way. i should just join one of those.

oh wait! they have all been sued and forced to go coed. no more drinking booze and playing shuffle board with the just boys.

the double standard applied to curves is obvious.

equal treatment for all under the law...except when it benefits you, right?

Big_Bird · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

Pluto · Joined: 19 Dec 2006

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Big_Bird · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

stillnotking · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Location: Oregon, USA

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

The high school in Iowa where I used to teach--and the other 7 schools in the conference--could schedule nothing on Wednesday nights because that was Church Night.

stillnotking · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Location: Oregon, USA

I just happened to think of a couple specific examples too -- I knew a kid in high school who was a Jehovah's Witness, who was allowed to excuse himself from homeroom any time we had one of our little "birthday celebrations". And there was a kid on my track team in college who could not compete on Sundays for some religious reason -- any meet we had on a Sunday, he didn't participate.

Seriously, anyone who thinks schools are not willing to make exceptions for religious adherents -- whether they're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or Baha'i -- is unacquainted with institutional thinking. The last thing any school wants is a big stink about discrimination or intolerance. This is even more true of Christianity and Judaism than Islam.

igotthisguitar