Reply #173: In analyzing this case... [View All]

[kilgore65]

it may be helpful to recognize that generally, French people generally have a more 'serious' and 'philosopical' demeanor than Americans - after all, philosophy is a required subject in the high schools. Trivialities like the Michael Jackson trial receive much more limited discussion in the French media and in society in general. Therefore when something of this magnitude comes along, it is serious...

That said, it appears to me that this case has some very real basis, to wit, from the BBC article...

"The evidence being presented in court suggests a cycle of abuse down the generations, our correspondent says.

The couple at the centre of the trial were themselves both sexually abused as children.

They in turn allegedly raped and abused their own children, and allowed family members, neighbours and friends to do the same.

Almost all the defendants come from deeply deprived backgrounds; few have jobs or training. Some are illiterate and almost all lived in the same rundown council estate on welfare benefits."