The Family

The submissions put forward on "Women's Day" made some quite valid points. One in particular though that went astray in its implied solution, was the attack on family life as we have it now.

It is true that women, are often used rather than loved in marriage, as in other sectors of our society. Many men seem to think of their wives as servants who sew, cook, clean and wash.

Perhaps though, what prevents out modem housewife from being able to hold a paid job or take a fuller part in community affairs is the fact that our society is too institutionalised. We have "homes" for the aged, the orphan, and now we want child-care centres. Past societies have managed quite well without these amenities, why is it that we need them so badly?

They had a bit more respect for their elders and gave them a real place in society. They usually had them live in their homes, caring for them, and frequently allowing their own children to be minded by them.

Perhaps then, if we weren't so keen on establishing our so-called independence and pushing our parents and grand-parents into lonely existence in pensioner housing or institutions, we could provide a purposeful loving retirement for them. They need not live a fate almost worse than death and neither need our young housewives be stuck at home minding children all day.

Our children loo would benefit from having relatives, who love them, look after them, rather than mercenary staff, no matter how well "trained"they are .A loved child will never go wrong.