The Importance of Culture

Collide-a-Scape
By Keith Kloor
Sep 9, 2009 1:00 AMNov 19, 2019 9:58 PM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Yesterday, in response to a story in the NY Times, entitled "Sudan Court Fines Woman for Wearing Trousers," Andy Revkin posted this meta thought at Dot Earth about the future of women in the developing world and how that ties into humanity's prospects for sustainability:

In a broader sense, then, there appears to be simmering tension over "who wears the pants." How that gets worked out probably will help determine whether there is a relatively smooth journey toward more or less 9 billion people on a finite planet in the next few decades.

An astute Dot Earth reader offers an excellent anecdote about women in Saudi Arabia. It speaks to the importance of culture in all this. (Savage Minds: where are you? You're missing a golden opportunity.) Here's the kicker from the comment (which should be read in full):

So changing a cultural or religious taboo is not something outsiders can impose upon a society without fierce resistance. The change, if it comes at all, must come from within, and the pioneers will pay a painful price.

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.