Teach Your Children Well
A poll of Palestinian high school students reveals an entirely unsurprising wellspring of religious fanaticism, racism and misogyny: Palestinian children favor discriminating against women and minorities. (Hat tip: Amy.)
The poll revealed a strong rejection of equality for women in society, with as many as 73 per cent of the students feeling that women should be limited to “traditional occupations.”Opinions regarding political involvement are also problematic. A full 52 per cent reject a woman’s right to “have position on a Municipal Local Council,” while 23 per cent would deny women the right to vote in elections.Limiting women’s freedom is likewise seen as acceptable by significant numbers of children. A third of Palestinian children surveyed believe that hitting a woman is “permissible under specified circumstances,” and 23 per cent reject a woman’s right to chose a husband “freely.”Attitudes to minorities are also discriminatory. Sixty per cent of the students polled are unwilling to have a friend from a different religion, while 24 per cent do not want a friend with a different skin color.The poll was conducted by the ALPHA Institute for Research and Statistics, and was distributed by the Center for Women’s Affairs in Gaza.