Interesting Class Discussion for Once - Beware its obviously about politics given my program

I just wanted to pass along a discussion we had in class today because I think it’s really important. It may be political but it dips into the differences/similarities between France and America’s view of equality. So a few years ago, the French government banned girls from wearing headscarves in public school until either 16 or 18, doesn’t matter. Our teacher told us this and then told us to debate. In defense of the French gov, it was said that by doing this it protects children under a certain age from certain discriminations, like them being forced to wear them out of modesty both culturally and religiously. By doing this they are maintaining the rights of the girl and the rights of others. For the rights of the girls, it had been drawn to the attention of the French government/media that girls were being forced to wear them by their fathers and brothers and if they didn’t they were subject to ridicule and humiliation. This was especially the case in the banlieaus or the French suburbs which everyone knows are interesting places. For the rights of the others, it was brought up that the French state has the responsibility to provide a public place free of outside influences where everyone is the same in equality. Religious wear whether it be clothes or crosses or stars for Jews and Christians are not allowed so why not Muslim as well?

The French state recognizes diversity and has the freedom of religion in its constitution but doesn’t allow it to be shown in public schools or agents of the state. For example in France Muslim police women are not allowed to wear the scarves either because they are representatives of the state. They can in their private lives which the state has nothing against. The main theme is what is more important in a moral hierarchy: the state or the culture? Well I think its pretty simple you live in the state, you abide by their rules and nobody will cater to you because everyone is supposed to get equal treatment, although we all know in most democracies, some are more equal than others. Culturally for Mormons, polygamy is considered correct but is not allowed by the American government. I am not saying that Muslim women do not choose voluntarily to wear them; I would hope that everyone does. It’s just the mentality of coming to a nation and expecting to be catered to that I dislike. What shocked me the most is that most of the American students said that this would never fly in the United States because we champion diversity and religion and that the state doesn’t have the right to intervene and override your parents authority. My response to that: 1) France champions diversity a lot more than we do even though they are probably more openly racist 2) Our public schools now are too getting rid of religious symbols and what kids can wear to class promoting their religion. 3) The state has every right to intervene on behalf of the child’s welfare because not every family is as perfect and rich and functional as the very opinionated students in my class. Parallel-thing in America, the state steps in and gives children of Jehovah’s Witnesses blood transfusions even though it’s against their religion and they will be chastised. I think the main difference between France and America is that in America we find a better way to combine diversity and a public identity. Bottomline logic of the argument: You choose culture/beliefs and you also choose where you live; and if you are a citizen of a country, you have to abide by the same standards as everyone else. Saying this, maybe France is more democratic than the US because of its cohesion of diversity in the public sphere…but then again is that morally right?