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peacetraveler22We all recognize that there are eccentric and deranged people in all parts of the globe, engaged in questionable behavior which we'll never understand or condone. I once thought of visiting Grozny, so perhaps some of you would even place me in one, or both, of these categories. Remember a few years ago, I wrote this post, asking readers whether it's safe for an American woman to travel to Chechnya? Some of my friends in the Russian blogosphere have been there, and even personally met Kadyrov and told me it was safe. All of them - MEN. You can call me a naive or misinformed American, but I can't understand yesterday's events.
I read the scandalous news that Kadyrov granted special permission for an old Police Chief to marry a 17 year old bride! I will not place a photo of the sad, distraught young woman in my blog to further sensationalize her image. On her wedding day, her eyes completely devoid of joy, as if going to a funeral or gas chamber. You've already seen her expressions, her white dress, and the bejeweled head covering, all draped around the delicate frame of a young woman who likely had no say in the events of that day, or in picking her groom. What a sad existence, I'm sorry I can't imagine it, or respect any region where such actions are considered acceptable, and personally authorized by the leader!! I read a lot of stories and comments about this topic today, and I'm particularly disgusted by the post written by Ilya Varlamov, LJ's top Russian blogger, where he can't understand all the fuss or controversy over the wedding. How can a modern, intelligent man like him not question this event, particularly when he has a young daughter of his own?
Here in the U.S., we have various religious sects engaged in polygamy, many marrying very young brides. The distinction is that our leaders don't advocate or approve of such behavior, nor does most of American society. On some other news sites, I read comments by a few Chechen females stating that the bride's facial expression was normal, that Muslim women don't show overt expression, even during a wedding. According to them, such action would be considered immodest in strict Muslim families.
What do you think of this scandal? Please help me understand "real" Chechen culture and mentality better, not what well-known bloggers show on their hand held tours, organized by Chechen officials. Yes, I know about the Chechen wars and that it's a Muslim region in the North Caucasus, yet it's still part of Russia. I'm especially interested to hear from any female readers I might have living in this area. Help me restore my faith in this region..
I read the scandalous news that Kadyrov granted special permission for an old Police Chief to marry a 17 year old bride! I will not place a photo of the sad, distraught young woman in my blog to further sensationalize her image. On her wedding day, her eyes completely devoid of joy, as if going to a funeral or gas chamber. You've already seen her expressions, her white dress, and the bejeweled head covering, all draped around the delicate frame of a young woman who likely had no say in the events of that day, or in picking her groom. What a sad existence, I'm sorry I can't imagine it, or respect any region where such actions are considered acceptable, and personally authorized by the leader!! I read a lot of stories and comments about this topic today, and I'm particularly disgusted by the post written by Ilya Varlamov, LJ's top Russian blogger, where he can't understand all the fuss or controversy over the wedding. How can a modern, intelligent man like him not question this event, particularly when he has a young daughter of his own?
Here in the U.S., we have various religious sects engaged in polygamy, many marrying very young brides. The distinction is that our leaders don't advocate or approve of such behavior, nor does most of American society. On some other news sites, I read comments by a few Chechen females stating that the bride's facial expression was normal, that Muslim women don't show overt expression, even during a wedding. According to them, such action would be considered immodest in strict Muslim families.
What do you think of this scandal? Please help me understand "real" Chechen culture and mentality better, not what well-known bloggers show on their hand held tours, organized by Chechen officials. Yes, I know about the Chechen wars and that it's a Muslim region in the North Caucasus, yet it's still part of Russia. I'm especially interested to hear from any female readers I might have living in this area. Help me restore my faith in this region..
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no subject
Date: 2015-05-17 04:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-17 05:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-17 05:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-18 02:05 pm (UTC)Point of this excursion to history is to show that there are no exploitation of women's per se. Rather there are exercise in power play of someone with power. Using sexual partner two-three-four times younger create obvious and oftentimes pleasurable image of power.
Another point worth considering, when we talk about this issue - are women's immune to enticements power and money can offer and so have to be forcefully put in relationships like this? Couple of years ago I saw result of sociologic study, done in US colleges with female students. About 2/3 of that highly educated, well to do and ambitious girls would be willing to accept role of junior wife in polygamous family as long as husband are rich. I would guess that less educated girls raised in more traditional society will be more willing. Even more if they will be offered to be only wife. Matter of fact, my first love chose middle aged, well to do man over me when we were in second year in college. I would not say that all women's will chose money over love, but definitive majority will.
Now back to situation in Chechnya. Suppose this is girl free choice? What the problem then? Even if she young and do not know any better - ok, what we as a society supposed to do? IF she was coerced into relationship by her family - ok, what to do? Take her away and put into witness protection program? Problem like this cannot be resolved by simple measures.It takes works on generation scale to change perceptions and customs. USSR was good at it, but get branded as godless and immoral state. So, now it is moral, I say, according to Bible and Quran. You cannot have it both ways.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-18 03:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-31 08:44 am (UTC)Marriage is about safety, children and a good and preferably rich husband who will be able to protect his family and support it. So the girl may not be in love with her future husband, but still willingly agree to marry him. It is supposed that she will grow to love him afterwards, during the marriage. So the difference in age (by the way an average 17 year old Chechen girl and 17 old american teenage are very different - the Chechen girls became mature (both fiscally and mentally) very early) and the bride's face don't prove anything.