Perhaps it is time to go back to square one and clearly explain exactly what are the rules and regulations for living in Australian society.
Then the would be immigrant could decide, "Yes, I can live with that" or "No,I cannot live with that."
It must be made crystal clear that there are to be no arguments about it, no fiddling with the edges, you obey Australian law or you go.
It is that simple.

Loved the article, Leslie, you point out many of the subtleties of power relationships beautifully and with great respect and sensitivity.
The usual suspects on this blog have responded with knee jerk insults about feminists and generally missed the point entirely, except for one or two.
It is no good pointing out that arranged marriage or female genital mutilation is "cultural' and so okay. I daresay apartheid was 'cultural" for the Boers in South Africa, that didn't make it right. It was cultural for Germans to be anti-semitic, still didn't make it okay. Human rights, it seems to me, cannot be negotiable. If we wouldn't accept the practice occurring with one gender then it probably isn't okay for it to occur for the other. I can't think of any justification for saying a woman's evidence should be worth less than a mans, for example.
The hardest human rights battle is that of women. Black people, when they fight for their rights, generally battle white people, Palestinians battle Jews, Irish catholics battle Irish protestants, workers battle bosses. Women must fight for their rights against their husbands, their brothers, their fathers and, worst of all, their sons. Perhaps that is why so many women are prepared to be treated as lesser (served last, prevented from voting, driving, attending school, going to sports matches (Iran), or participating in sport) rather than confront the men they love.

Has any thought been given to two possibilities: Muslim women cover up because they are ugly or, Muslim women cover up because they are not ugly and their men doubt their ability to hang on to them.

A bit silly? Yes. But then so is the idea of normal people covering themselves up beyond the requirements of society standards. Still, I suppose if Muslim women want to look strange in a liberal and tolerant society, that's their problem. I will continue to regard them with great suspicion (how much plastic explosive could they fit under the voluminous garb) and avoid them at all costs.

And, how many beat coppers could Leigh pass with nothing but his eyes showing, with a big baggy overcoat on?

I should first say that I also enjoyed the article very much - thanks Dr Cannold.

I asked my husband what he thinks about this clash of feminism and multiculturalism. He tells me that it is just like telling heterosexual couples that they should not marry because there are conflicts between men and women. He also tells me that we should get together and talk. And having listened to him, I think that I agree.

Perhaps while some complain about the lack of equality between the sexes in non-Western cultures, we should remember that women in developed countries also earn less than men for the same work, also suffer from constraints and violence, and are also under-represented in Parliament. The list could be long but I pass. None of it would be good enough a reason for me to drop a commitment to feminism or multiculturalism.

Leigh asks: "Has any thought been given to two possibilities: Muslim women cover up because they are ugly or, Muslim women cover up because they are not ugly and their men doubt their ability to hang on to them."

I ask: "Has any thought been given to two other possibilities: Leigh posts obnoxious messages because he is psychologically inadequate or, Leigh posts obnoxious messages because he is not psychologically inadequate and afraid of people who are different to him?"

A bit silly? Yes. But then so is the idea of people making written fools of themselves beyond the requirements of OLO standards. Still, I suppose if Leigh wants to post fear and hatred in a liberal and tolerant society, that's his problem. I will continue to regard him with great suspicion (how much prejudice can he fit under his voluminous posts) and avoid reading him at all costs.

Well said, Penelope and FrankGol.

Cheers

Amrita