T'Pring began her questioning of Taleris "You have stated that bondings were done to spread the teachings of Surak throughout all of Vulcan - am I correct?"

Taleris replied "That was one of the motivations of our ancestors had for arranging bondings - yes."

"Since Surak's ways have been embraced by our planet for many centuries now, and they do not need to be spread anymore … why are we still using these methods to obtain that which we already have? " said T'Pring

"Spreading the teachings of Surak, years ago was not the reason for bondings - it was merely a MEANS of spreading the teachings, the PURPOSE for bondings remains the same now as it was then - to find mates for our species in a manner that would produce the least violence. Bonding provide a logical, peaceful method for dealing with our reproductive biology, provides for the continuing our species, and benefits the institution of marriage."

"But the custom of bonding them as children might be obsolete and unnecessary. They were bonded as children essentially to buy time for the conversion of the clan to Surak's ways - correct?"

Taleris replied "Surak's disciples merely enacted laws that delayed the full marriage until Pon-Farr occurred years later. Yes, this change was made to buy time. The bondings, like the full child marriages that they replaced, were done to make alliances with other clans, establish trust and communication between them and provide each with a vested interest in the other clans. In this fashion, the clans who had not yet accepted Surak could be prevailed upon to accept his teachings slowly. Acceptance of a dramatically different ideology takes time and often the clan needed to see and experience the benefits it brings to convince them to accept."

"I submit then, that the custom of bonding as children by the parents is obsolete since they have already been accepted by all again." claimed T'Pring.

Sarek interjected "Following the same logic, the custom of challenge by the female is obsolete too -- since all of Vulcan is united in the ways of Surak now. It is no longer necessary for a female to challenge a marriage if the male's clan had not accepted the teaching of Surak either."

Taleris ignored the comment and continued "The function that bonding serves in our society remains unchanged - bonding synchronizes the Pon-Farr cyles of the couple. We are debating the appropriateness and necessity of the customs surrounding it, in particular, the age at which bonding should occur.

You are assuming that the bonding of children - and the custom of challenge, served no other purpose other than to serve as a vehicle by which Surak's way could be spread. This is a false assumption. The custom would have died out long ago if that were the case. We have already heard testimony about the benefits seen with youthful bondings. In addition to this, once established, the custom attached itself to the logistics of our population. Surak's ways entailed monogamous and life-long marriages, the selection of a bondmate, by the parents, was better when the higher numbers of potential bondmates were unbonded -- traditionally, at age 7. It would make no difference who chose the bondmate, the child or the parent, but the greatest number of mates still unattached was greater the younger the child. At the young ages, the parents judgment is deemed better for selecting the most logical bondmate for their child."

"Does the logic change over time? Does the greater the number of potential bondmates available make the choice more logical than when there are less potential mates?" asked T'Pring

"Logic and rationality does not change, the circumstances to which logic is being applied are what change. If the circumstance change, so do the conclusions arrived at using logic."

"The childhood bondings do not take into consideration the circumstances that may exist years ahead."

Taleris responded "The childhood bondings are designed to mold the circumstances to benefit the bonding. It is better for society if the needs for maintaining the bond/marriage take precedence over the needs of the individuals involved. Our history has displayed this many times. It has also been displayed to be of benefit to the individual since he exists within and benefits from the society. Even after marriage occurs, circumstances change for the individuals involved yet the bond takes precedence in our society. We do not break marital bonds either even if circumstances change. We change the circumstances rather than the bondings. "

Sarek interjected "The goal of bonding at any age is the same. Usually the sooner any goal is accomplished the better barring any adverse effects . We are limited in the time frame in which that goal can be accomplished by the natural onset of Pon-Farr. Are you proposing that a shorter window for accomplishing the goal would have a benefit? "

"The individual would benefit from delaying the bondings. We are already seeing this becoming acceptable for our society. Many parents chose to delay the bonding of their children and let their children chose their own mate."

"You have not presented any proof yet that "individuals benefit from delayed bondings". No matter, however if you believe this to be so it does not follow that we should illegalize the childhood bondings."

"If we all delayed chosing a bondmate then there would be more available to them when older."

"Ah, so that is you motive - correct. To maximize the number of bondmates available to older children… your own perhaps? If that is true, then delaying bonding has been detrimental."

"Only because we have not illegalized it. It is no longer necessary yet we continue it."

"But T'Pring, you have just claimed that delaying bonding is detrimental." said Sarek. He continued "No matter, let us hear what you believe the benefits of delaying bondings are."

Unexpectedly T'Hula rose and said "May I also participate in this debate?". After getting an affirmative nod from T'Lar she continued "There have been incidences where the development of the individuals has been stiffled by the existence of a bondmate. They are not free to develop their talents and abilities in a manner best suited for them. For example, last year there was a female who wished to enter Star Fleet and was quite talented at her speciality, xenobiology, and might have acquired superior knowledge of her field through service in the Fleet. Her bondmate however, would not benefit from service in the Fleet. The female was prevented from enlistment due to the obligations her bond required.

As you know, adult Vulcans cannot go off world for extended periods of time without their bondmate. It has hindered some in the development of their careers, hindered their education, and perhaps some contributions they could make to society . If they were to delay the bonding of children, they could find mates more compatible with themselves and plans for the future. The older somebody is the more they tend to know and discover about themselves. This would benefit the individual as well as the bond-marriage.

I can site another example Sarek, where the son's choice of career did not correspond with that which was planned for him by his father. The obligations of the bond were not considered in his career choice. It almost could cost him his life. Had his bonding been delayed until he knew his career choice, the whole fiasco could have been avoided."

"How do you know that events would have played out differently had his bonding been delayed? Debating could-haves or might-haves is illogical."

"Perhaps we need to examine the specifics of the cases involved. I ask for a recess in the debate so that we can gather witnesses and participants in childhood bondings that have proven detrimental to both society and the individuals involved." said T'Pring.

"Why did you not prepare such witnesses in advance?" said Sarek.

"Because I did not expect the direction in which this debate has taken."

T'Lar thought for a moment before responding and said "There are other matters which demand our attention at this time. This particular matter is proving to be quite interesting and important. To make the debate valid, we will need more input from your side T'Pring. I am giving you 7 days times to flesh out your debate and find your witnesses who can present a stronger case than you have at this time. You nare insufficiently prepared. We will reconvene in 3 days time."

With that T'Pring's was essentially dismissed and the Council and her petition shelved for a week. The Vulcan High Council continued on with other matters. Sarek and several others regarded T'Prings as rather foolish for her lack of preparation in this matter. Sarek did not think that either side had yet produced a very convincing argument. They were debating issues that did not have an answer that could be deduced by logical. There was no right or wrong answer. Logically there would be no benefits or detriment to changes made in their marital laws. Marriage probably wouldn't even exist in their super-logical society if it was not forced upon them by the nature of their reproductive biology. But in spite of being so rational, Sarek recognized that vestiges of emotion still existed in Vulcans and that they had done a good job at integrating the cursed Pon-Farr, which strips Vulcans of their logic, into their logical society. Change can be good, but it can also be bad. It depends upon what the change produces. The results of illegalizing the custom of childhood bonding will most likely only be determined after it has been tried thought Sarek.