Is Europe lightyears ahead of America in terms of acceptance and human rights?

Question

If you look at the statistics of at least Western Europe they seem ti be lightyears ahead of America in terms of acceptance and human rights, agree?

Answer 1

In some ways maybe. What statistics do you mean? I live in Europe and it is FAR from perfect.

Answer 2

Yes and No is the answer. Some countries are while others are way behind. It would also depend on what type of human rights you refer to, LGBT rights are still a long way from equality - for example, women's rights or disabled rights. I specifically did not mention race in the example as Europe is as bigoted as the States in that respect.



I assume your question refers to LGBT rights. In the UK we have civil partnerships, age of consent equality, workplace protection and very soon protection in the supply of goods and services. Much to the disgust of the Catholic Church gay couples will be able to adopt. In the UK gay bashing is a "hate crime" with stronger sentencing for offenders. Apart, that is, in Scotland where the morons in charge removed that section from new laws that came into effect recently. (Silly sods must have forgotten there is an election next month!) There are times I am not proud to be Scottish.



Eastern Europe is still very much behind Western Europe and the States - last year several Pride marches were banned and others that took place were attacked (verbally and physically) by the Orthodox Church and politicians out for an easy media bite. Don't worry about unemployment, pollution and the collapsing infrastructure of the state - let's go and bash some poofters. Does that sound cynical?

Answer 3

No.



Most of Europe's population live in fear because of the Muslim communities that seem to be swarming there as much as Mexicans are crossing into America.



Human rights? Sure, everyone has rights.. But not religious extremists who behead individuals who aren't of the same religion.



Acceptance of what exactly? Being gay, an illegal, a terrorist, etc.? The United States is the greatest country as of right now and as far as I'm concerned, we're far more ahead than anyone else 'cause we don't take any bullsh!t from anyone else.



As far as letting people have their own style and culture and religion - we let them. We're the country who has the "melting pot" motto. People can have their own lifestyle - whether they're gay or Muslim or African-American, Mexican, Chinese, etc.

Answer 4

You are going to get a Yes and a No from me. I am sorry even though America is really crazy--this is still a 'free country and I am very patriotic to a point. When it comes to certain and I really mean certain European countries--I think progress is definately their forte--especially in regards to human rights. But a lot of those same countries have the same issues as America--case in point: A good Italian friend of mine told me that with the influx of Africans from Ethiopa immigrating there--has made many Italians angry and disgusted.......hmmmmm...that is interesting when I was watching the news the other day and I saw that a boat load of people from Haiti somehow escape the Coast guards view and landed on US shores (and now they are going to be deported back to their country).....hmmm.......many Mexicans cross the border and many Americans who are not Latinos or Hispanics find this to be unacceptable (I don't really care if other people come to this country America is the home of the Free--Right, but you can come here as long as you dont look down on my race or any other race for that matter (if it isn't call for) because another thing--many people (not ALL) from other countries come to America and they 'hear things' about Black people and other ethnicities and they slot black people and other ethnicities into a horrible categories, black people are low class human beings (this one I heard while I was eating dinner at a restuarant and I happened to over hear this man and his dinner companion's conversation---I have been privvy to conversations in which this is what people discuss--UGH--makes me MAD) anyway back to the topic--Also the French have their issues with the Algerians. The British, I think are very integral with multiple ethnicities. The Germans have a good size population of Turkish people ( I know I use to date a Turkish guy who grew up in Berlin)...So you have pros and cons with your question---when it comes to race, gender, human rights--I do think Europe is very progressive in many sub areas of those genres I just mentioned. But in America---those same genres are what make this country the phenomenon that it is... It is still the #1 Super Power and Puhleez, I would like someone to dispute me on this one--honestly--If it wasn't for many of the great minds (across the board----men, women, and all the nationalities and ethnicities that were born, immigrated or raise as Americans), many of the things that the WORLD takes for granted wouldn't be in existence if it weren't for America and its policy of free-thinking and achieving!

Answer 5

Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and sub-divisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity.



I know that I am personally guilty of this - and I'm not sure it's a bad thing completely. I know there are somethings wrong within the USA - the gay marriage issue being one of them, but on the whole, I'd rather live here than anywhere else.



A couple years ago, some chat-buddies of mine came to the USA for a visit. One guy was from England, one was from Scotland (I love their accents!) and the guy from England made a call to a radio station in England he frequently interacts with. Next thing I know, Jim hands me his dell phone and says some DJ in England wants to talk to me live on the air. The DJ asked me what is so great about the USA (not exactly a smart-allec, but there was a bit of sarcasm involved). I explained to the DJ and his listeners about ethnocentrism (I had JUST learned about it in my first college class about organizational behavior) and that most people think their country is "best".



I concede that England is ahead of the US on their acceptance and treatment of homosexuals, however, racism (in my LIMITED experience) is more prevalent there.



One of the reasons we are allies is the extent of commonalities we share - maybe one day, we can all agree on everything.

Answer 6

Europe had no clue what a human right was until America came along - which is why America came along in the first place. America is split on the issue of equal rights for homosexuals because of a deep sense of morality, which drives the idea of protection for rights in the first place. So America is incorrect to not protect the rights of homosexuals; she still stands on the forefront of human rights. She'll catch up on this one soon enough. I think America has done good for being just a couple hundred years old when it has taken THOUSANDS of years for Europe to even get where America is - and it was America who taught it to them. They need to get off their superior high horse before America needs to save them from themselves again.

Answer 7

Europe? Human rights? Gay rights? Gay marriage is banned in most parts of Europe just like it is in most of America. Do some research.

Before someone debates me...i said MOST PARTS. Yes, spain and a few other countries allow it, but most dont.

Answer 8

Well, I am no patriot... at least not for the last 6 years... but I don't take lessons on human rights from countries like France- Not until the slave girl-Rom that beg in front of Notre Dam have the legal right to work or leave.

Answer 9

First of all, you're generalizing Europe, there are a lot of individual countries, but here's my opinion on the matter:

When I went to England, you might think it's a diverse place, just like America, but since my aunt lives in London, we went to the different blocks, and there was a lot of... well, not segregation, but you'd walk down one block and my aunt would say "this is where all the Afghan people live." The next block: "this is where all the Saudi people live." And such. I don't know if it's like this in all of england, but it is where I've been, and a lot of my family has lived there. And in these areas, there were a lot of signs that said "down with voting." and "Allah will unleash his wrath on the imbeciles." and stuff

Anyway, other than this segregation-thing that I noticed, I can see that the british seem to be less tolerant of gays. All my cousins, if asked their opinions, would say "I don't like gay people." So would their parents. I actually live in San Fransisco, so I live in a really, really tolerant community. Especially Berkeley. It's really amazing. So In comparison, the city I live in is really, really tolerant.

However, there is one thing that I see different. One of my cousins is from Germany, and she says that, as a girl, she can safely walk around in a city at eleven. As for me, if I'm going to be in Berkeley at eleven, there are a lot of weird people, but I feel A LOT safer if I have a guy there with me. The fact of the matter is, even if guys aren't stronger than girls, they're not in as much danger because of... well, the fact that they're guys.

More specifically, in a lot of traditional families, girls can't be out as late etc.

According to my cousin, this whole thing about girls being less safe doesn't play in Germany at all.

When it comes down to it, though, I think the acceptance levels are pretty equal-for better or for worse.

Where I live, San Fransisco, is a really tolerant place, but I have to speak for all of America, which is kinda hard since I've only been to two states.

Furthermore, I sorta think you're saying this just cause, well everyone's anti-america these days cause of our government.

However, Europe and America are lightyears ahead of say, India. I stayed in a village there, and the village kids didn't let me play cricket with them cause I was a girl, and they always made fun of other ethnicities [cause they're not exposed to them as much].

Uhm what statistics are you talking about in your question, anyway? I think you're just taking in stereotypes, really, and being judgemental of Americans, which is a new trend these days, it seems.

Sure, America has problems, but so do all the other countries. Trust me.

Answer 10

Oh yeah. Alot of those former Soviet bloc countries in Europe are just beacons of freedom and human rights arent they? Not to mention Mother Russia itself....great place for freedom and civil rights. LOL.

Silly you. Your question is funny.

Answer 11

LGBT rights are not the only rights.



USA is generally ahead on rights of free speech, warrants, arrest, right to trials, innocent until proven guilty, class action lawsuits, etc.

Answer 12

Some parts of Europe, most definitely.

Answer 13

I'm from Spain and i live in the USA now.In Spain gays have more rights than in the USA.

Answer 14

Yes, absolutely.

Answer 15

i live in Spain, in here homosexuals can get married, i dont know of any european country where death penalty is in use...i think in here we are more open for new things that in the u.s

Answer 16

I cant agree with all of Europe id have to say only Sweden ,England, and France

Answer 17

Most likely.

Answer 18

No, ever lived there? Statistics are a manilutlator's tool.

Answer 19

you have underestimated the difference...it is far more than light years behind.