Discussion 1 Replies: Honor Killing
Scott Maciel
Indeed, honor killing cannot be termed as a domestic form of violence. Honor killing is performed as a punishment for wrongdoing against the values and norms of the community. It is a murder that is conducted based on cultural beliefs. In most cities where this form of punishment is common, women are the principal victims. Females are killed on the claim that they have brought shame to the community. It is sporadic to find men being murdered in case they cause dishonor to their family. The society takes honor killing as a family affair that should be treated privately. While it is though a gender-neutral punishment, unlike women, men are allowed to express themselves before community leaders and can escape death through compensations, the social evil is thus female-targeted. It should be discouraged as no one has the right to take the life of another person. Human rights agencies should unite to fight and eradicate these types of cultures in society. Neither man of women has the right to take away life.
Ryan Liggett
I agree that the US law considers honor killing as domestic violence. This is concerning the standing definition of domestic violence in the US constitution. The US law provides that one must not be a spouse of the other for violence to be perceived as internal. This, therefore, means that in case of a relationship, or else cohabitation and vehemence erupt in this circumstance, that qualifies to be domestic violence. However, American society is made up of different cultures, which makes it challenging to achieve the best meaning of domestic violence. Considering that such cultural groups as Hindus and Indians believe that honor killing is a way to restore respect to the community makes it difficult to achieve a legit classification of domestic violence. However, whether it is a belief or not, honor killing is a crime against human rights. Nobody should be allowed to take life. The US government should thus take the initiative to punish such victimization for discouraging such primitive cultural beliefs in society.