Women and Children first?

[naomi24]

With all the talk recently of the Titanic, and other marine disasters, I was listening to a discussion today where the question was asked 'On a sinking ship, should women and children be given priority?'

Should they? And if not, who should?

[bellazella]

Been listening to jeremy vine naomi

[Sipowicz]

If not, there's only men left!

[China Doll]

Children yes. But I fail to see why I should be saved over a man my own age who maybe has four kids at home... I have no children. Not that I'm complaining if I did get to go first obviously, just that it doesn't really make sense as to why my life would be worth more than that of a man with kiddies at home by virtue of the fact that I'm a woman.

[EvianBaby]

Children and the adult with them. Women and men alone - fight it out for themselves.

[emmie]

Children yes, can't tell you why other than the adults have had some life, but if there is a chance to save the children then i would say you should.

[WyeDyed]

According to a recent study, the Titanic represents the exception rather than the rule.
Academics from Uppsala University in Sweden analysed survival rates from 18 disasters from the last 300 years (16 of which had never been studied before). Overall 17.8% of women survived as opposed to 34.5% of men. On at least 5 occasions men were ordered to let the women off first.
(Source - Sunday Times)

[seadogg]

There has to be provision for every passenger of course but in a sudden capsize there ain't much choice I suppose. From a personal point of view, a man is morally bound to save children and women if he can.

[Messi_Ten]

All those who are well educated and can contribute to society should go first. Those on benefits should be saved, but only if there's room on the lifeboats.

[DTCwordfan]

I bet that one is faith related, seadogg.Perhaps naomi knows the answer to that.

[seadogg]

A touch of Non-Conformist Conscience in there somewhere I suppose.

[ummmm]

Children, yes.

Women, I dunno, despite equality they are the weaker sex physically.

[DTCwordfan]

maybe....now that is an interesting poser to how it came about. These things always have some logic. Prima facie, I can understand it, kids and Mums to look after them, but are "you" telling me that they stuck to that say before Victorian times....me doots it as they say.

[seadogg]

The sub cutaneous fat helps women in immersion I suppose ummm.

[wolf63]

I am female and can't swim so 'women and children first' suits me.

I suppose that it could be argued that women usually have a higher portion of fat to men and could last longer in the water. This would leave room in the escape boats for the delicate males.

[ladybirder]

The old women would have no chance then if evian's suggestion was followed and that can't be right. Old men and women, yes, but not just one sex.

[micmak]

I believe women and children first was coined from a boat that sank in 1852 ish. HMS Birkenhead, Hence it is now called the Birkenhead Drill. The women and children were put into life boats and the Soldiers and Sailors stood to attention on deck as the boat went down. It is also mention in Kiplings poem, Soldier an' Sailor too.

[seadogg]

In practice our lads just grab the nearest thing and lug it in quick, in my experience that applies also to sheep and other animals including a very recalcitrant steer.

[WyeDyed]

The study I mentioned was led by Mikael Elinder. Due to my continuing computer problems I can't provide a link.
There is an article in he Washington post... If someone could google it and post up a link, it's quite enlightening.

[ummmm]

Lol seadog ;-)

[WyeDyed]

"The Titanic and HMS Birkenhead... are the only maritime catastrophes studied to have had a greater percentage of female survivors than male. In both cases, the captains told men to stand back and used the threat of violence to enforce their orders"