Yet, there are some trobling points. Frist, I agree with the point that she romantizes young marrige. I find it interesting that she omits the fact that young girls in Muslim countries are often married to men much older to them who have consiterably more education and social sway. This is not in all cases and it changing rapidly, but this is a fact, simple. But then as she said, all systems have there good and bad points

second arraged marriges are fine, if it’s a possilbity. Sure, Arab and South Asian people have the communal ties, but the many Americans (and Canadians) don’t have that option. As a white convert, my mom made it very clear did not want to shoulder that responcibility. And honestly, neither would I. I think for Muslims we must leave the degree of perental involvment individulized, and not just set preachy standards.

But, on the early sexual explorations, she’s dead on. My liberal white parents activly discuraged me from dating, “Your too young”. And well, I was. With the exterme low self esteem of these age groups, It’s esy for bullies to take advantage. I went to school with countless girls who were date raped by university students. “I’m just not ready” would lunch you into a social pariah. And yes, I see how this harkens back to what I was talking about at the begining.

Althoght I am a bit of a charlitan, a Muslim convert university student with a non-muslim boyfriend (Istaghfirallah!), I’m just that, a 20 somthing woman who can deal with serious questens and push pull heartache. This, I know for a fact, comes with age.

I am not a Muslim in any way shape or form, and never shall be. I am in fact a Christian, and one who is very serious about what he believes.

I just wanted to say that whilst there is much (that is important!) on which you and I would disagree, on this issue PREACH IT SISTER.

I’d not go as far as shooting for arranged marriages, but certainly parents need to be fully involved in their kids’ lives, TO THE POINT of deciding when they’re ready to go courting. This is unpopular, but it’s also wise – is there any parent out there who really thinks it’s a wonderful thing for their kids to lose their virginity early?

Good job, anyway – Johno the Aussie