Thanks for your response. This is exactly why I wrote this, to start a cross-cultural discussion as well as allow for introspection in our own (western) culture. It has to start somewhere. I believe it’s perfectly reasonable to judge ideas, regardless of where they come from, as long as one is being objective. I believe I have been. Something that appears regressive most likely does because it is. We can’t pretend our white western lives are really that much different from any others, considering we are having much of the same discussions, just in different contexts. That is why I felt it important to bridge the gap somehow, even if not everyone is ready for it.

I do not expect things to change overnight but if this article can make even one person think deeper about these issues then its worth it. Regardless of how many others get offended, which will always happen no matter how hard we try. Though I too am looking forward to the different responces, should they come.