Re: Day 15 19 Juvax 45 : The day after the Balls
In reply to Cathal O'Donoghue (msg # 48):
"Right. So we need laws to prevent people from making victims of themselves. Shame and self-loathing are consequence enough. They'll figure it out. And drugging people to make them do things they normally wouldn't is an actual crime, but that doesn't actually stop it from happening, now does it. And it's okay to have the environment for that to happen? And what about us poor helpless and utterly stupid girls who just can't imagine anyone would do such a thing. Once we turn 18, it's all good I guess. Shame on us for not being smarter. By that logic we should all be kept in our rooms until we're married. Do you not see the absurdity?"
"And the you just made my point for me. Fidelity is just as cherished as chastity and the consequences of violating it is far more disastrous to those involved and society. Yet, married people are allowed into these parties left to their own discretion. It's discretion that alcohol seems to compromise the most. Why aren't we protecting spouses? It's hypocritical, it's obnoxious, and it doesn't work unless it's also tyrannical. "
"Look, I'm simply arguing that we teach rather than forbid. Let people make their mistakes and then help them learn how to move on and make better choices. I can tell you, people are stronger and smarter than you want to believe. They'll learn. The problem is that this attitude of over protection tries to have it both ways. Protect, but if someone makes a mistake, then condemn. And those of us that had to suffer and learn on our own? Well, we don't count. For my part, I managed to avoid most problems because I wasn't coddled and the fear of what could happen if I wasn't smart was forefront in my mind."
In reply to Siobhan (msg # 49):
Siobhan's words visibly cooled Rhiannon's passions for a few moments. The new princess had to consider everything the queen was saying. With Cathal it was easier. He was from not just the same shadow, but the same country. The same city even. She grew up on the streets of Dublin. All that victimization was a daily occurrence, even in the group homes. Yet the laws and attitudes were geared towards blaming and restricting the victims. And those the system failed were simply ignored, like inconvenient truths. The laws were veneers to make the general society feel better.
"Siobhan, I wouldn't presume to know what it's like to govern anything, let alone a mix of cultures like you describe. All I'm saying is that for the pool party in the mansion with a majority modern guest list - all of whom who understood what they're walking into - further discriminating on age seems so arbitrary and hypocritical. Those from cultures who don't like that kind of thing, were not required to attend. And all of these other personal consequences were just as real for those only a couple years older."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Fri 29 Dec 2023.