“Sticks and stones” does not apply in Italy

If I were an Italian man, I would attempt to put an end to this immediately:

An Italian court just ruled that insulting a man by telling him he has “no balls” is now a crime.

The court ruled that such a slur is a crime as it hurts male pride.

“Apart from the vulgarity of the term used, the expression definitely also has an injurious quality. It refers not only to the target’s lack of virility but also to his weakness of character, lack of determination, competence and coherence — virtues that, rightly or wrongly, are still identified as pertaining to the male gender.”

There is nothing more emasculating than a law designed to protect a man’s feelings.