694. Germany - A Country Especially Prone To Subtle Desensitization?
Growing up in the aftermath of the Nazi Terror over Germany, I was bewildered and appalled about the ubiquity of how the majority of the generation before me had at least approved, condoned or tolerated if not actively taken part in atrocious crimes and misdemeanors. I felt not comfortable living in such a country. The majority were very desensitized people, who easily reintegrated and welcomed back even those with a lot of blood on their hands.
Growing up in the aftermath of the Nazi Terror over Germany, I was bewildered and appalled about the ubiquity of how the majority of the generation before me had at least approved, condoned or tolerated if not actively taken part in atrocious crimes and misdemeanors. I felt not comfortable living in such a country. The majority were very desensitized people, who easily reintegrated and welcomed back even those with a lot of blood on their hands.
Since then, other generations have grown into adulthood, who no more were themselves directly implicated in the destruction and exploitation of those considered as outgroup inside the country. But the desensitization towards the suffering and plight of those abused and exploited, because they are in a weak, defenseless and vulnerable position, has not ceased.
Today Germany pretends to be a modern, democratic and humane country. Therefore nobody could ever outrightly justify atrocities, abuse and degradation of humans, and recognize such treatment as what it really is. But the desensitized Germans found a different method: They deny the atrocious character of their treatment and declare it to be normal behavior. The legal approach to prostitution is an excellent example:
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21589922-has-liberalisation-oldest-profession-gone-too-far-giant-teutonic-brothel
This article explains how the paid abuse of self-abusing women is misrepresented as a normal job, and this not only in the eyes of the self-interest of the abusive customers. Even worse, since more than ten years it is a law which was favored and implemented also by many female politicians.
Today Germany pretends to be a modern, democratic and humane country. Therefore nobody could ever outrightly justify atrocities, abuse and degradation of humans, and recognize such treatment as what it really is. But the desensitized Germans found a different method: They deny the atrocious character of their treatment and declare it to be normal behavior. The legal approach to prostitution is an excellent example:
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21589922-has-liberalisation-oldest-profession-gone-too-far-giant-teutonic-brothel
This article explains how the paid abuse of self-abusing women is misrepresented as a normal job, and this not only in the eyes of the self-interest of the abusive customers. Even worse, since more than ten years it is a law which was favored and implemented also by many female politicians.
Lately a wise and responsible suggestion was made to change this outrageous law. As in Sweden, prostitution should be made illegal, but only the abusers should be punished. This would imply the needed legal recognition of the dignity of women.
I am shocked and outraged by the general tendency of the ongoing debate concerning this suggestion. A lot of the German population, including too many women, oppose it. They have been so completely desensitized, that they consider paid abuse as normal and acceptable behavior. This attitude makes Germany an uncomfortable place for women.
I am shocked and outraged by the general tendency of the ongoing debate concerning this suggestion. A lot of the German population, including too many women, oppose it. They have been so completely desensitized, that they consider paid abuse as normal and acceptable behavior. This attitude makes Germany an uncomfortable place for women.
