Or it could mean that older generations while being socially backwards regarding the equality of the sexes did not put blinders on to the real physical differences between women and men. While I’m perfectly willing to grant that an athletic woman can and has outperformed men, the average person is not so lucky. Generally speaking men are stronger and have better endurance, hence they might endure longer while the initial conditions of the situation are still in effect. If the women have to take a turn in water, it is more likely that fewer will succumb to the elements in a calmer situation than the initial panic of a disaster.
Why does someone have to die in this situation? I would guess that there is 150 lbs worth of purses, shoes, coats, jewelry, etc. on board that can be tossed so that the mother and baby can safely board the boat as well. If not they can all arrange to take turns swimming next to or behind the lifeboat 2 or 3 people at a time to keep the weight acceptable.
I think we need more information. Is Leroy from the baddest part of town? Is he badder than old King Kong or, perhaps, meaner than a junkyard dog? How much weight can be saved by discarding diamond rings, .32 guns, and razors?
The viability of that option is entirely dependent on the conditions of the elements. I mentioned it as well, but the OP doesn’t give us any information in regards to the location of the ship, or the weather. I went ahead and assumed a sea in which any long term survivability is not an option.
I ask “Why is your life inherently less valuable than someone else’s?” and you answer “Yes.”
I’m going to assume you misread my question, so I’ll ask it again: *Why *is this so? Why are you less valuable than another human? Is your life less valuable than *any *other humans’ lives, or just those of mothers and babies?
I’m not trying to be a smartass here–I genuinely want to understand this.
You can roll your little cartoony eyes at me all you want. The physical differences aren’t going to save Leroy’s ass. (Heck, women probably survive longer in cold water than men.)
Because I decided so. My life is not less valuable than everybody else’ life, but it’s less valuable than any baby’s life. I am entitled to decide how much my life is worth in comparison to others, and that’s my decision.
Oh, I agree completely. The area where I start having problems is when someone decides that anyone else’s life is less valuable than anyone’s (including any baby’s) life.
What you decide for yourself is nobody’s business but yours, obviously.
Actually, cursory research indicates that cold endurance has mostly to do with body mass, and fat percentage. Given equal weight and fat, men and women perform more or less the same. Men tend to be larger though and there is a direct correlation there.
Generally speaking, men tend to be 4-6 inches taller and 20-40 lbs heavier than women from the same group. In addition men in general have a higher percentage of lean body mass which helps generate warmth.
He’s not obligated to, and he has just as much a right to life as they do. Again, like what one poster said above, it’s up to him whether or not he can live with himself afterward. So while one may say he ‘should,’ it’s a very soft should.
I’d take the baby and leave the woman. Barring that leave them both in the water. I have no way of knowing how I’d feel afterward, but I’d rather take the chance and find out. If it were my child or partner* I’m sure I’d feel differently.
Do cruiselines still insist on lining passengers up in child, woman, man order? My family took a Disney cruise when I was 10 (1995) and they did this. This reminds me of when my father told what were the only two circumstances when it was acceptable to hit a woman; if she’s hitting youand you need to shove her out of the way to leave, and if she’s refusing to get into a lifeboat.
*Since I’m gay my partner would be another man so it’s not quite the same thing.
In this situation I’m also assuming that the lifeboat is also full of Spacemen, Red Indians, and some kind of Idealized Fourteenth-Century Flemish Merchants?
It depends. Is Leroy capable of being a father? Leaving the child is not a morally viable option at all. If Leroy couldn’t handle taking care of the baby, he should give up his seat. If he can (or knows someone who can) then he should take the baby or give his seat up. But leaving the baby is absolutely not morally okay.
