Archive for category Family, Marriage and the Culture

A Neglected Down-Side of ’Sixties Feminism

To mark the centenary of International Women’s Day, BBC Channel 4 is currently broadcasting a series about women made by feminist film-maker Vanessa Engle.  The instalment shown yesterday was designed to expose how badly done by, in the opinion of Engle, are those women who, upon becoming mothers, opt to stay-at-home to care for their young off-spring and their bread-winning spouses.

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Rated PG

An infatuation with various teenage boy bands, combined with aspirations to become the next big concert pianist, made for a tricky case of parental censorship when I requested the score of the latest ‘Hanson’ album for my eleventh birthday. 

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First, the basics

Whilst it’s good news that in England and Wales teenage pregnancies have fallen, we still have a very high number. A key lesson from the Dutch, who have a very low teen pregnancy rate, is to make crystal clear the ins and outs of reproduction. Continue reading at Guardian CiF

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Mum’s the word

 It’s Sunday night, the kids are finally in bed and you’re curled up on the sofa—glass of chilled Chablis in one hand and a couple of fair-trade chocolate cookies in the other (you ate the rest whilst putting the finishing touches to Harry and Polly’s wheat-free packed lunches).  

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Lowest ever marriage rates – but over 60% of unmarried parents surveyed would like to marry

Lowest marriage rates on record published today, connect strongly to an increase in parenting outside marriage. Yet, over 60% of young unmarried parents would like to marry

Today’s marriage figures follow shortly after findings from the British Social Attitudes Survey showing that unmarried parenting has become more socially acceptable than ever. Whilst this may appear to be the death knell of marriage in the UK, attitudes on personal aspirations tell a different story.

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Equal in Dignity… or Indignity?

In November 2000, the European Union issued a directive intended to provide ‘a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation’.

While designed to prohibit employers from discriminating  on grounds of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, its fourth article expressly stated that ‘the Directive shall not prejudice the right of churches… to require individuals working for them to act in good faith and with loyalty to the organisation’s ethos.’

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