Thirty years ago American Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote a report called “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action”. In it he wrote these words: “The breakup of the black family is the single most important
The latest ABS catalogue on marriage and divorce says that 4 out of 10 marriages will eventually end in divorce. Over the years the divorce rate has continued to rise. A number of factors are at play here: the decline
We live in a culture that no longer believes in the importance of marriage. Indeed, we have moved from being a culture of marriage to a culture of divorce. At a time when the institution of marriage is maligned and
As one who has grown up in, and been a part of, the counter-culture of the 60’s and 70’s, I want to examine the way it has radically redefined the shape and character of modern society. It is my conviction
Tasmanian Independent Senator Brian Harradine has revealed that more than 107,000 families will lose up to $741 per year under a Government budget decision.
Family Minister Rosemary Crowley admitted in question time that families may lose anywhere from $64 to
The West Australian Labor Opposition has called for the establishment of a children’s rights body. Various elements have been proposed, including a children’s advocate, a children’s charter, a children’s commissioner, and a children’s council. The Opposition said it would establish
Several years ago when my then 5-year-old was attending first grade at a local state school, he came home with a document called a “Social Justice Policy”. I was supposed to read it and pass on
Patricia Morgan, an English sociologist, here examines the social condition of the family in Britain and the US. She contends that government policy has directly and indirectly contributed to the growth of the mother/child household.
In a few days around 40,000 delegates will arrive in China to attend the World Conference on Women to be held in Beijing. The conference, to be held from September 4 to 15, is already creating quite a stir, for
Australia has been asked to respond to a United Nations program, the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children. Called the Program of Action, Australia’s response is to be developed from three sources: Federal Government ministries; States
The debate about whether there are any deleterious effects of broken homes and fatherless families is pretty much over in America. Practically everyone, except the most hardened ideologues, has accepted the fact that fatherless families
Some 800 sexologists were asked at a recent world congress whether they would rely on a condom for protection if they had available the partner of their dreams and knew the person carried HIV. After a long delay, one hand
A new survey put out by the Australian National University has found that the majority of Australians prefer that mothers with young children stay home.
The survey, conducted by the International Social Science Survey, found that 65 per cent
A new Federal Government-sponsored pamphlet on how to talk to children about AIDS has been released by Family Planning Victoria. The pamphlet is titled, Talking to Kids about AIDS: For Parents and Caregivers of Children Under 10 Years.
Not long ago the Pope came out with an attack on television, claiming that it was anti-family and undermined traditional values. Critics quickly responded saying the Pope was ignorant and out of touch. One newspaper editorial even claimed that if
It cannot be denied that Martina Navratilova is a great tennis player. But can she be as successful at motherhood? The tennis star and up-front lesbian has recently declared that she would like to be a mother. The desire for
The Federal Government’s decision to include homosexual couples in its definition of family makes two things quite clear: it is especially eager to cater to minority groups while ignoring the needs and interests of mainstream Australians; and it has proven
Dr Penelope Leach of the UK, a world-renowned child psychologist, has just written a new book entitled Children First. It’s a pretty damning indictment of modern society and the way it treats children. Moreover,
The International Year of the Family Council has launched its first discussion paper entitled “The Heart of the Matter: Families at the Centre of Public Policies.” The paper is the first stage of a consultative process that will culminate in