PDD.59: Women Of The 21st Century

The New York Times Magazine, dated August 23, 2009, was devoted primarily to women's issues, globally. I had six daughters. I have a vested interest in this subject.

One of its articles was entitled, "The Women's Crusade," co-authored by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The article opens with, "In the 19th Century, the paramount moral challenge was slavery. In the 20th century, it was totalitarianism. In this century, it is the brutality inflicted on so many women and girls around the globe: sex trafficking, acid attacks, bride burnings and mass rape."

All the articles are indepth, comprehensive, and heartwrenching.

I believe that American women will lead the way in changing the plight of women globally. And at the same time I'm going to level an accusation against those same American women, and that is: If American women fail to recognize (at least in the U.S.) that government and its agents have no legal duty to protect, they will export unrealistic expectations to impoverished and tortured women abroad. American women need to deal with this issue here and now, openly, consider their options under the circumstances, and proceed as role models for the rest of the world. Until then, their efforts will be fruitless.

I have not done extensive research on similar laws around the world. But you can bet that the rest of the world's governments will emulate the U.S. regarding failure to protect and sovereign immunity issues.

By the way, the above The New York Times Magazine issue did not mention, either specifically or generally, The Public Duty Doctrine in the U.S. or similar laws around the world.