Pregnant women warned off Te Papa tour

[Genie]

Hey out there....

Just read this article and I'm a bit confused...I do understand the culture signifigance of all of this....where I'm sturuggling is, is this some way of making women second class citizens?

This is an age old way of Maori (correct me if I am wrong), that can be respected....the age old ways of women being second class and subservant to men, whereby men lead the community, have we not moved on from this?

How can the past be relevant in today's society?

It seems as though age old Maori traditions are not moving with society...can today live with yesterday? Society gives us so many contradictions.

I'd kinda like your interpertation of this.....

[rachprice]

link the article?

[mashman]

maybe the staff won't be able to help themselves

[Genie]

Yes, well that would help wouldn't it?

Sorry and thanks Rach...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4221...f-Te-Papa-tour

[rachprice]

I think Te Papa could state that Maori belief indicates that they believe that they shouldn't and explain why, but Te Papa shouldn't be 'opposed' to those wanting to attend anyway

Surprise surprise the feminist goes way over top claiming they suggest its forbidden to menstruate.

[munster]

We could of course argue that woman shouldn't be allowed to vote and can only enter the lounge bar in the pub. After all, this was part of our culture not so long ago.

Most people move on & progress, it dissapoints me to see some using culture as a way to maintain an archaic oppresive practice.

[Mully]

Storm. Teacup.

When I saw that article on Stuff, I nearly died lolling. I spent a very enjoyable lunchbreak reading the comments (there were 160-odd at that point). They're the best bit, cos the PC brigade couldn't decide if they'd side with sexism or racism.

And that feminazi blogger they quoted. Oh, the whole article was like Christmas in my pants.

Superb.

[rachprice]

It isn't saying women cant though, it is saying that while menstruating or pregnant women are hapu, the things in the collection are also Hapu.
I think the idea is that putting two things that are Hapu together might cause conflict between the two

While I don't believe it and dont necessarily agree that they should turn people down, it is fair that they tell people about these beliefs

[Genie]

I think Te Papa could state that Maori belief indicates that they believe that they shouldn't and explain why, but Te Papa shouldn't be 'opposed' to those wanting to attend anyway

Surprise surprise the feminist goes way over top claiming they suggest its forbidden to menstruate.

I'm not sure they need to explain why...I think they are respecting the significance of Maori hertiage, I struggle with how this can fit 'today'. Have we not evolved? We live today, we do not live in yesterday?

[rachprice]

I'm not sure they need to explain why...I think they are respecting the significance of Maori hertiage, I struggle with how this can fit 'today'. Have we not evolved? We live today, we do not live in yesterday?

Many people still have these beliefs

[Mully]

I'm not sure they need to explain why...I think they are respecting the significance of Maori hertiage, I struggle with how this can fit 'today'. Have we not evolved? We live today, we do not live in yesterday?

I put it in the same basket as having respect for religion. I may not be religious, but I don't snigger if I'm in a situation with prayers.

[Genie]

It isn't saying women cant though, it is saying that while menstruating or pregnant women are hapu, the things in the collection are also Hapu.
I think the idea is that putting two things that are Hapu together might cause conflict between the two

While I don't believe it and dont necessarily agree that they should turn people down, it is fair that they tell people about these beliefs

yes.....is the culture significance releveant today? I dont' get it. This seems to be sexiest and racist all in one! It seems as though Te Papa are saying that the other cultures that are the melting pot of society must adhere to this belief....????


So all Chinese/Jewish/Dutch/American/Russian menstrating woman cannot enter ... why?
This is of no significance to her/them - or is it?


Me, I'm a white girl...how Maori feel and believe is not how I feel and believe...yet I must respect their way? Respect their culture...is the respect a two way street.....this just seems wrong. How can they dictate to all women?

This seems unjust...to put all in one basket and say this is how it is when we are all different with different beliefs....

[MSTRS:Me]

Many people still have these beliefs

And some people believe the Earth is flat. Doesn't mean they are right, and certainly doesn't mean that we can't laugh and point...and go on in our own belief that the world is a disc, carried on the backs of 4 elephants, who stand on the shell of a giant space turtle.

FFS. This belief that pregnant or menstruating women are 'tapu' is based on primitive superstition, reasonably common in stone-age peoples, generally for health purposes. How backward does anyone have to be to still give any credence to it's relevance in this day and age?

[rachprice]

And some people believe the Earth is flat. Doesn't mean they are right, and certainly doesn't mean that we can't laugh and point...and go on in our own belief that the world is a disc, carried on the backs of 4 elephants, who stand on the shell of a giant space turtle.

Doesn't mean you cant respect that they believe it

[Genie]

I put it in the same basket as having respect for religion. I may not be religious, but I don't snigger if I'm in a situation with prayers.

Hey, that I get...but Te Papa is open to all paying customers. Te Papa is a public museum, yet they are saying not all public can enter! They are saying if you are pregnant and or menstrating you cannot come in. This is 2010 not 1710, or even 1310!