Are all relationships the same?
First I note that most of Batty's provocative concepts are usually followed by a question mark; she is asking questions, not making judgements. There are also statements that are staged, if you accept the first, then the second and so on, you will eventually arrive at the same conclusion as Batty has. We need to look for assumptions that may be the weak links in that chain of logic if we want to deter her in any way.
For instance;
She says "I'm saying that IF honesty about CDing is an obligation in one relationship THEN isn't it also one in other relationships?"
The assumption embedded there is that all relationships are equal in regard to the need for honesty and full disclosure. I don't know if I can accept that assumption. While it is appropriate in my relationship with my wife to be fully honest about my CDing, that relationship is not based on the same thing as my relationship with my boss or the neighbor. Are we looking at Full Disclosure as being the same as Honesty? While it is critical to be Honest, Full Disclosure at work or in the neighborhood has never been expected while it is within the confines of marriage. I just can't see the need to tell my neighbor about my CDing when our relationship is based on landscaping.
However, if my co-workers or neighbors have misconceptions about gender that I can address and clarify, I see my obligation to deal with them. I am advocating situational ethics based on the need for a consistent definition of Honesty in regard to gender issues. However, is Full Disclosure necessary for an Honest discussion of gender issues outside the question of how it impacts our offspring? Is Full Disclosure necessary for most action addressing these same issues?
If we become involved in this type of discussion and/or action, it may be encumbant on us to be ready to reveal information about ourselves that would both lend credibiltiy to our arguements, but endanger something we have wanted to protect.
