| Author | Message | ||
| Patrick Moorshead Guest |
HAVING recently returned from a week abroad I was pleased to learn that the age of consent has now been equalised in principle for both homosexual and heterosexual behaviour. I would now like to voice a word of caution in the hope that we can now put this matter to rest. While on the face of it this is a gay issue there are ramifications for the whole of society and this is perhaps the reason that this issue has become so heated. My first thought is that while the celebrations for the winning party have been both necessary and expected, there is a chance that a backlash may occur and I hope that the straight community can see it in their hearts to extend the hand of friendship to their gay brothers and sisters. Secondly, while the comments made by Dr Williams and Mr Sarre have been both extremist and reactionary, supporters of this issue should note that without these comments being aired we may not have won the argument. Can we now as a community turn the other cheek and give these men and their families the support that I suspect they now need? Now to my main point and the reason I say that this issue has ramifications for society as a whole. The subject of equalities is not just an issue of human rights but is, in my opinion, the question of what kind of community we wish to build for the future. Straight people should understand that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community do not only face the difficult question of sexuality and sexual identity, but also face the myriad of other unsavoury issues that are shared with society as a whole, from domestic violence to alcohol abuse and beyond. In fact, it is only when we approach it in this way and look at the bigger picture that we can begin to understand that while it is important to celebrate our differences, it is also important to understand that we share more things in common with our neighbours than not, regardless of where we come from, what we believe in, the colour of our skin or what we do to get our kicks. If the social map of Guernsey is changing to one based on equality and fair play, then we should all embrace that change because surely it can only make for a healthier and ultimately, happier society. PATRICK MOORSHEAD | ||
| Margaret Spaargaren Guest |
I READ with interest the letter written by Dr James Ray (Guernsey Press, 16 February). While he raised complex legal issues that I am not qualified to respond to, I share his concerns about the struggles that families face in today's society. What really spoke to me was his sentence, 'Teaching them ways to bond, love and care for their children with all the Christian values that we try to live by.' I am writing to raise awareness that Home-Start Guernsey was launched two years ago and that for approximately the last 12 months has been actively working with families who are having a difficult or traumatic time. Home-Start aims to work with families with at least one child under the age of five years, to offer friendship and confidential, non-judgmental practical and emotional support in order to build the family's confidence and ability to cope. Home-Start sees this early intervention and prevention as absolutely crucial to support the child when parents are experiencing times of stress. We also help any family which is experiencing difficulties such as post-natal depression or disability, using trained volunteers who are parents themselves. Our volunteers and families come from all socio-economic groups. Should anyone be interested in hearing about the work that Home-Start does in Guernsey, I would be pleased to talk to any group who would like to learn more, or to any individual who is thinking of offering their time to a family by becoming a volunteer. MARGARET SPAARGAREN, Chair of Trustees, Home-Start Guernsey, Roseville Community Centre, Petit Bouet, St Peter Port, GY1 2BY. | ||
| Dr James Ray Guest |
ARE the human rights that we live by failing us by compromising our family values to the detriment of society? When we look at the newspapers today and see the deprivation brought about by two minors involved in torture and near murder of innocent children of a similar age, we have to ask ourselves questions about how this can happen. It is right that these two individuals should be put into a secure unit to prevent them harming any other people. In other words, it is in the public interest that they are put away from society. But how did they get to be such violent criminals with no respect for life? That is the more important question, and it is that question that does not seem to have been centred in the media. Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights protects each of us to respect for family and private life, which was set into UK legislation in the Human Rights Act 1998. But it is this right to privacy and family life that may be at the heart of the reason for the recent crimes. As citizens of a free nation ruled by democracy, we all have the right to have children, and in that right we also have free rein as to how we bring up those children. In law, as a parent we have the right to consent to or refuse treatment to a child that is 16 or below. Yet as this responsibility is given to us, it is removed when our children behave in a way that is shunned by society. Our ability to learn of the value of life is something that we learn in time, and it is through our upbringing, and the teaching of our parents or carers, that many of these values are gained. On reading the case of the two boys in the paper, we heard of how they were subjected to pornography and violent films. Is it not irresponsible for this to have been made available to children? It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase a film from a shop that has an 18 certificate, but when it reaches the home, that responsibility of viewing lies purely with the adults in charge. These children have been subjected to years of experiences that actually teach them not to respect human life. Their behaviour probably didn't happen all of a sudden. It was something that developed over time and as a consequence of poor upbringing. I have no doubt that social services were aware to a degree of their possible risk to society. But what powers do we have to interfere with the upbringing of a child, as it is a right laid down in legislation? This is purely a discussion, as unfortunately, not a lot can truly be done, and it saddens me to say that. We cannot take away the right for any individual to have a child and to bring up that child in any way that they want to. But maybe as a society we could think of ways to help and support those people who do struggle. Teaching them ways to bond, love and care for their children with all the Christian values that we try to live by. This would take funding and provisions, but the reward may benefit us in a way that we cannot imagine. DR JAMES RAY. * I am a GP based at Cobo Health Centre, but am also trained as an emergency medicine doctor and work in the A&E department at the PEH. This is my ninth year now in Guernsey, having trained in London. I am currently studying for a Masters in Medical Law in Northumbria University and am now in my second year. |
