"Vous êtes un porc laid!" If a new law passes in France, it would be illegal for a husband to say that (translation:“You are an ugly pig!”) to his wife.
The proposed law was created to protect women from the types of verbal threats and intimidation that experts say often lead to psychical violence. (It would also be illegal for wives to insult their husbands, but the law’s intent clearly favors women.) A woman dies every two days at the hands of her husband or partner in France, according to crime statistics.
"There are situations where the man constantly degrades the woman with his remarks and destroys her, little by little,” said Parliamentarian Martine Billard. “And this is often done in front of the children. This law will allow these women to bring charges and rebuild their lives." She says the law would not play out in the form of a husband being thrown in jail just for a one-time insult – the court would have to prove the abuse is repeated and done with the intention of destroying his spouse’s dignity.
While I appreciate the intent of the proposed law, I’m not its biggest fan. How can a government make it illegal to be mean to someone? Childhood bullying can cause lifelong emotional scars, but we can’t start throwing second graders in the clink for calling each other stupid dorks.
Also, as Glamour.com points out, how could they police this type of thing? Cameras in every home across France? It’s just too Big Brother-ish.
That said, I absolutely appreciate the intent and, of course, am in favor of legislation that keeps women safe. I’m just not sure that governmental regulation of what is essentially free speech is the way to go. True, there have been times in my life where I’ve said things to my boyfriends or husband that I wish I could take back (nothing that necessarily would fall under these new provisions, but insulting nonetheless). But I’d rather see the money it might take to enforce this type of law go towards educating young boys about the importance of equal rights and the compassionate, respectful treatment of women.
But as long as we’re talking wish lists for Laws for a More Ideal World, I’ve got some suggestions:
1) It would be illegal for chocolate to have calories.
2) Every person MUST adopt a unicorn, preferably one with a pink flowing mane.
3) When you sneeze, those around you are required by law to break out in song and dance. Also, all sneezes are hereby required by law to be emitted in the form of sparkle dust.
4) Frowning would be a crime punishable by 40 soft, slow-motion lashes with the most delicious licorice ever created.
5) Every person would be required, by law, to receive 10 hugs a day. For those without access to hugs, the government would provide special stamps which could be redeemed at specially designated community hugging centers.
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