Re: Are you a Caveman?

"That is a bit like trying to prove a negative? We don't hear from them so they must be repressed? Why not assume that they do not actually want such rights (the pre-pubescents that is) - eminently more plausible."

This would be a reasonable assumption if they weren't being repressed.

But given the ample proof of their repression in most every area of expression where they ask to be treated as an equal and beg to differ from the authorities, why should we believe that the one right which is considered criminal to express is the one area they are NOT being repressed in and simply have no interest in?

I am talking about pre-pubescents and I can't see how they are being repressed. From what I see of children they have it better in most ways than children had several decades ago. They are treated with respect and listened to more than ever.

Tell you what? As an experiment, try disciplining an adult with corporal punishment and see how the law handles it? Particularly of interest would be the point where they affirm their right to not be struck and you ignore them.

Many countries have outlawed corporal punishment for children and it seems rather obvious to me that this should be the case - my mother has never done this to me - so no disagreements there.

Silence doesn't tell us who wants what. But silence plus repression means that those who could speak out can't. And frankly it doesn't matter how few do, everyone should have the right to. Very few exercise their right to expression by writing Operas. But at least we know how few want to. And further, we don't prevent them from advancing a dying art.

Everyone has a right to express an opinion but they have no essential rights to believe others should act on what is advocated.