What fallacy is this?

[musicgold]

Hi,

I wish to know what fallacy is person B committing in the following argument. I see that person B is quoting a correct fact but I think it can't be used to oppose the uniform civil law as the law concerns much wider rights of women.

Person A: The implementation of the uniform civil law is necessary to ensure that women are treated equally with men.

Person B: First make sure that laws you have created are working before making new laws. Despite the women education law passed five years ago, the percentage of girls under 18 completing high school is much lower than those of boys.

Thanks.

[David Boyle]

Hi,

I wish to know what fallacy is person B committing in the following argument. I see that person B is quoting a correct fact but I think it can't be used to oppose the uniform civil law as the law concerns much wider rights of women.

Person A: The implementation of the uniform civil law is necessary to ensure that women are treated equally with men.

Person B: First make sure that laws you have created are working before making new laws. Despite the women education law passed five years ago, the percentage of girls under 18 completing high school is much lower than those of boys.

Thanks.

Hello musicgold,

If you can give the exact number, page number, or other identifying information about a problem, it often helps. But from what I see above (if it is accurately transcribed), there may be a problem with B's maybe assuming that "the uniform civil law" has not already been passed? How do we know that that would be a new law, instead of an old one?
In addition, as you noted, maybe the one example of a current law maybe not working (few girls complete high school) should not be overgeneralized about to conclude falsely, "See, no law for women's equality can work."
Also, you may need to make new laws in order to make sure that the old laws work, perhaps. So, those may be some possible errors. (Finally, even if fewer girls complete high school than boys, that may not ipso facto mean that there isn't equal opportunity, or at least as equal as can presently be achieved under the particular circumstances.)

Hope this helps,
David