Women and Children first?

Crotchety Englishman · 4th May 2004, 07:38 PM

When I was a kid, there was no question that the "women and children first in the lifeboats" attitude was correct. These days I suspect that a significant portion of the population would question the "women" part.
On the otherhand I can see that an arguement could also be made that an adult member of society is worth more than a child, we have after all more investment in the adult in the form of education etc (with exceptions of course). I think here for example, of the emphasis made on fighter pilots being worth millions because of training.
Children are more easily replaced and in fact, in many societies, they are/have been seen as replaceable. Certainly on a personal level no child is relaceable but if an intellectual choice had to be made....
So is the "women and Children first" philosophy finally outdated?

American · 4th May 2004, 07:44 PM

"You first, me second" is a good rule. Unless it's your mom we're talking about.

c0rbin · 5th May 2004, 09:39 AM

Equality is a double edge sword.

yersinia29 · 5th May 2004, 09:43 AM

Women want it both ways. They dont want to be considered "unequal" but at the same time they want "unequal" provisions if it elevates their status.

For example I dont hear any women complaining about being left out of the military draft. But they sure as hell want equal pay in the military.

Tmy · 5th May 2004, 09:46 AM

I think they're sent out first cause they are weaker and less likey to handle the situation as it worsens.

Lets say that in a sinking ship a big strong man can handle himself and tread water longer than some child. In the end they may all be saved, better to take care of the week first.

yersinia29 · 5th May 2004, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tmy
I think they're sent out first cause they are weaker and less likey to handle the situation as it worsens.

I agree with you, I just want to point out that feminists will deny this fundamental truth to the very end.

Matabiri · 5th May 2004, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tmy
I think they're sent out first cause they are weaker and less likey to handle the situation as it worsens.

Probably more likely that women are more valuable for repopulation than men. One man can do the reproductive work of tens of men, if he has to, so he's less worth saving.

yersinia29 · 5th May 2004, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matabiri

Probably more likely that women are more valuable for repopulation than men. One man can do the reproductive work of tens of men, if he has to, so he's less worth saving.

While true, I dont think thats a strong motivating force in this day and age. Perhaps in the Stone Age it might have been.

In times of disaster, men protect women because they are "weaker" not because they make a conscious decision regarding fertility dynamics.

Tony · 5th May 2004, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by yersinia29
Women want it both ways. They dont want to be considered "unequal" but at the same time they want "unequal" provisions if it elevates their status.

The same is true with the leaders of the "black community". In fact, this is the reason I have concluded that such movements are nothing but supremacist movements in the guise of "equal right".

Tmy · 5th May 2004, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony

The same is true with the leaders of the "black community". In fact, this is the reason I have concluded that such movements are nothing but supremacist movements in the guise of "equal right".

This happens is all communites/groups whatever. Everyone wants the good but not the bad.

4th May 2004, 07:38 PM	#1
Crotchety Englishman Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 31	Women and Children first? When I was a kid, there was no question that the "women and children first in the lifeboats" attitude was correct. These days I suspect that a significant portion of the population would question the "women" part. On the otherhand I can see that an arguement could also be made that an adult member of society is worth more than a child, we have after all more investment in the adult in the form of education etc (with exceptions of course). I think here for example, of the emphasis made on fighter pilots being worth millions because of training. Children are more easily replaced and in fact, in many societies, they are/have been seen as replaceable. Certainly on a personal level no child is relaceable but if an intellectual choice had to be made.... So is the "women and Children first" philosophy finally outdated?

5th May 2004, 09:39 AM	#3
c0rbin Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,806	Equality is a double edge sword.
c0rbin Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,806	__________________ By convention there is color, By convention sweetness, By convention bitterness, But in reality there are atoms and space. --Democritus (c. 400 BCE)

5th May 2004, 09:43 AM	#4
yersinia29 Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 166	Women want it both ways. They dont want to be considered "unequal" but at the same time they want "unequal" provisions if it elevates their status. For example I dont hear any women complaining about being left out of the military draft. But they sure as hell want equal pay in the military.
yersinia29 Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 166

5th May 2004, 09:46 AM	#5
Tmy Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 6,489	I think they're sent out first cause they are weaker and less likey to handle the situation as it worsens. Lets say that in a sinking ship a big strong man can handle himself and tread water longer than some child. In the end they may all be saved, better to take care of the week first.
	__________________ "Common sense is something that skeptics can and should do without." -shanek

5th May 2004, 10:10 AM	#6
yersinia29 Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 166	Quote: Originally posted by Tmy I think they're sent out first cause they are weaker and less likey to handle the situation as it worsens. I agree with you, I just want to point out that feminists will deny this fundamental truth to the very end.
yersinia29 Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 166

4th May 2004, 07:44 PM	#2
American Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: CA Posts: 3,842	"You first, me second" is a good rule. Unless it's your mom we're talking about.

5th May 2004, 10:23 AM	#7
Matabiri Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,734	Quote: Originally posted by Tmy I think they're sent out first cause they are weaker and less likey to handle the situation as it worsens. Probably more likely that women are more valuable for repopulation than men. One man can do the reproductive work of tens of men, if he has to, so he's less worth saving.
	__________________ "That's the kind of thing you can't look up on the internet, because it's the kind of thing you get taught at school." - Ashley Pomeroy

5th May 2004, 10:30 AM	#8
yersinia29 Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 166	Quote: Originally posted by Matabiri Probably more likely that women are more valuable for repopulation than men. One man can do the reproductive work of tens of men, if he has to, so he's less worth saving. While true, I dont think thats a strong motivating force in this day and age. Perhaps in the Stone Age it might have been. In times of disaster, men protect women because they are "weaker" not because they make a conscious decision regarding fertility dynamics.
yersinia29 Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 166

5th May 2004, 10:55 AM	#9
Tony Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 13,759	Quote: Originally posted by yersinia29 Women want it both ways. They dont want to be considered "unequal" but at the same time they want "unequal" provisions if it elevates their status. The same is true with the leaders of the "black community". In fact, this is the reason I have concluded that such movements are nothing but supremacist movements in the guise of "equal right".
	__________________ It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company. - Mark Twain

5th May 2004, 11:11 AM	#10
Tmy Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 6,489	Quote: Originally posted by Tony The same is true with the leaders of the "black community". In fact, this is the reason I have concluded that such movements are nothing but supremacist movements in the guise of "equal right". This happens is all communites/groups whatever. Everyone wants the good but not the bad.
	__________________ "Common sense is something that skeptics can and should do without." -shanek