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CPDS Home Contact | Queensland's Ongoing Challenges |
- Dysfunctional Society -
Bob Hawke made an election pledge to prevent children growing up in poverty - but this didn't happen - because of disastrous social trends. A massive increase in ex-nuptial birth's meant that 25% were born out of wedlock and thus in the numbers of children growing up in welfare dependent job-less families escalated. The women having these children were mainly less educated and on lower incomes who could not afford to provide for them. Such children start their lives with a disadvantage. Marriage and Caste in America (by Kay Hymowitz) argues that family structure underpins the growing divide between haves and have-nots. Children with two parents have significant advantages (eg two incomes to support them in their developing years (Arndt B 'Educated guess at folly in sole parenting', CM, 8/12/06).
Governments are to be asked to ban parents from smacking their children (Papadkis M. New push for law against smacking, SM, 10/9/06).
Over 2m Australians have been stalked according to 2005 Personal Safety Survey. This affects 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 10 men (Robson L 'Our true stalking terror revealed', SM, 13/8/06).
Over 2m Australians have been stalked according to 2005 Personal Safety Survey. This affects 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 10 men (Robson L 'Our true stalking terror revealed', SM, 13/8/06).
Australia is creating another generation of traumatised children (black and white) because of assumption by social workers and lawyers that children are always better off with their parents (Jackman C 'Policy on abuse creates stolen generation', A, 17/7/06).
There is a disconnect between racist actions and anti-racist reactions. Generalised fear of, or feelings of superiority / inferiority towards other races is natural. This can be dangerous when person involved has public influence. Anti-racists have traditionally defused this. There is a need to address sources, not symptoms, of racism. Earlier it seemed that solutions could involve: racial vilification charges; or pointing out that others were born here and are thus Australian. Most Arabs are not Muslim, and most Muslims are not Arabs. However such mantras don't work because they assume that racists are ignorant. Racism seems mainly emotional. Government has armed people with means to rebut charges of racism. There is a need to humanise the targets of racism. The fear reflected by Islamophobia needs to be attacked not only with facts but with faces. This could be done with films (Wakim J 'Blind to humanity from race-tinted glasses', A, 20/6/06).
20% of Queenslanders have been forced to move by bad neighbours (Davies H 'Bad neighbours can drive us out', SM, 18/6/06).
Australian males who have little education and poor prospects are being 'left on the shelf' by women who insist that 'Mr Right' must be affluent (Karvalas P 'Uneducated, poor and on the shelf', A, 14/6/06).
Trouble comes when traditions crumble, marriage weakens, culture coarsens and responsibility slides. It is easy to believe that those who commit horrible crimes are born evil, but weak people can be made bad by a culture of cruelty / irresponsibility. Over 50% of those involved in Redfern riots in Sydney had no fathers at home. Few adults had jobs. Crime was high. Wadeye also has broken families, drunken fathers, drug users and truant children. The gangs in Wadeye are inspired by the violent lyrics of heavy metal bands. Those who committed the Snowdown murders had been abused as children. Letting traditional marriage crumble is a formula for trouble (Bolt A. 'Evil is not just born but made', SM, 11/6/06).
The line between individual and state responsibilities is increasingly blurred. It is possible that in future formal agreements about behaviour could be required in various circumstances. This is already happening with aboriginal children where parents face reduced dole payments if children do not go to school. Government used to rely on taxes, laws, regulations, subsidies, public services and information - but is now using more psychological methods to persuade people that their personal responsibility can be more effective than government action (Fels A and Brenchley F 'State of good behaviour', FR, 21/3/06).
In UK government has ceased involvement in class politics but has launched a stream of initiatives aimed at improving people's behaviour (Field F 'Polity's place in polite society', A, 28/2/06).
Lack of public concern about AWB scandal and business ethics in general sets a dangerous precedent (Costello T 'Seed of corruption being planted in our indifference', A, 27/2/06).
Muslim youth leader (Mustapha Kara-Ali) accuses old guard of contributing to alienation, violence and crime rate amongst Muslim youth. Immigrant leaders are opposing change - and want to run community on their terms - which are different to those of young people who want to be part of broader community. No new blood flows into community organisations - as they don't trust Australian born second generation members of those communities. Young Muslims face a crisis of identity. Imams preferred youth to remain isolated. They pocket grants intended for community development - because radical imams see alienated youth as potential recruits. Kuranda Seyit also believes that it is time for generational change in Muslim community. Immigrant leaders were too out of touch to deal with rising numbers of young Muslims who were turning to crime for the sake of belonging. This makes it unavoidable that others have negative attitudes (Kerbaj R 'Imams forcing identity crisis on youth', A, 13/2/06).
Australia's most senior Islamic woman has argued that religious leaders are condoning 'wife beating' and put-down of women (Kerbaj R 'Imams condoning domestic violence', A, 30/1/06).
Increase in child-protection orders is a nationwide phenomenon. Numbers doubled between 1999 and 2003-04. This is most likely due to legislation which has increased reporting requirements - though others see this as reflecting increased real abuse of children (Donahoo D 'Hype whips up abuse pandemic', CM, 16/1/06).
Queensland has had a dramatic increase in its divorce rate as the rest of Australia sees improvement (Wright S 'Sunshine State has cloud over marriage', CM, 12-13/11/05).
Research shows that social isolation has grown. In 1984 people had an average of 10 friends they would visit without invitation, but this is now 6-7 (Passmore D 'Where have all our friends gone', SM, 6/11/05)
The behaviour of school children has hit an all-time low - with parents to blame. Over 1000 students are expelled or suspended every week for violent or disruptive behaviour.. Teachers are forced to adopt a hands off approach because of fear about litigation and violent parents (Lawrence J 'Class wars', SM, 4/9/05).
Wealth is not bringing happiness. Michael Sandel (in Democracy's Discontent) spoke of fear of losing control individually and collectively to forces governing lives, and unraveling of moral fabric of community. A study in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found anxiety levels in children in 1980s like those of psychiatric patients of 1950s - because of crime, AIDS, divorce, unemployment, living alone, lack of trust. This is the most medicated society in history. People see themselves as consumers rather than citizens. A generation ago, individualism meant self-reliance, loyalty and courage. Now it means consumption and massaging one's ego. The Western world is just starting to realize the importance of social sustainability. Merely having social capital may not solve the problem - as this can coexist with inequality or violence. (Costello T 'Rich but poor in spirit', CM, 15/8/05).
Ambulance officers are often attacked while attending to injured persons - a situation which would never have occurred several years ago (Lawrence J 'Paramedics assaulted on the job', SM, 15/5/05).
New laws have been introduced in Queensland to protect people with disability from unfit or abusive carers (Odgers R 'Package of reforms to protect disabled from abusive carers', CM, 10/5/05).
Stress on teachers (which causes so many to take stress leave) is due to unrealistic expectations - including taking responsibility for society's failure to contain anti-social behaviour in schools. The fear of litigation forces state government to target teachers who can't meet the needs of attention seeking students and socially inept parents who want to blame everyone but themselves (Rowe E 'Teachers meat in the sandwich', SM, 24/4/05).
Private organizations that deny sexual equality must be compelled to change (Booth S 'Open doors by force', CM, 24/3/05).
Liquor Licensing officers were warn three years ago three years ago by leading hotelliers that a 5am trading permit for a Brisbane hotel would encourage binge drinking and unruliness (Thomas H 'Booze brawl warning ignored', CM, 2/3/05).
Many state school teachers have received payouts as a consequence of problems resulting from dealing with violent and bullying students (Gregory J 'Classroom fury costs millions', CM, 28/2/05).
Increasing police numbers in CBD would not quell violence according to Griffith university staff. There is a need for third party policing (eg pressure on night-club owners) to solve problem. The weakness of regulatory body at the centre of this is seen as major problem (Corkill M and Gearing A 'Crime experts call for new strategies', CM, 26/2/05).
Brisbane drinkers will be subject to an alcohol management plan similar to that on indigenous communities in an effort to curb city violence (Cole M 'Beattie to curb alcohol', CM, 26/2/05).
Premier argued that drinking culture was part of the cause of increased CBD violence in Brisbane (Viellaris R., CM, 19/2/05).
Brisbane's CBD is becoming too dangerous to walk at night (Viellaris R etal 'Mayor says city too violent', CM, 18/2/05).
Angry teenage music is argued to be a demand for full parental attention - showing a desire to be part of a loving family (Eberstadt M 'I want my mummy', SM, 13/2/05).
There is increased concern about how to balance work and home life. 25% of men work >50 hours per week and do not know what to say when told to do more to mentor their children. Teenagers are at home alone. Mothers rush to childcare centers or schools. Spouses confront each other, or walk out. 50% of marriages end in divorce - often because of disputes over who does what. Elderly parents need help, which can't be given. Some avoid such problems. This is all part of change that occurred 30 years ago when women gained full equality at work. Relationship breakdown, custody arrangements, feminization of poverty, care for elderly are directly related to how unpaid caring work is divided between men and women. Men must be encouraged to do more at home. Governments need to do something to encourage sharing of unpaid work. There is no point in trying to overcome inequality in the workplace when much of the problem arises in the home (Goward P 'Inequality begins in the home', A, 11/2/05).
The Children of the Lucky Country (Fiona Stanley and Sue Richardson) shows that despite strong economic growth children have problems (obesity, diabetes, asthma, autism, Down Syndrome, high suicide rates; increased difficult to treat psychological problems; girls match boys in aggressive behaviour). Some causes (eg asthma) are mysterious. But many come from socio-economic disadvantage (eg fetal alcohol syndrome is 100 times more prevalent in aboriginal children). Many left-leaning communitarian options are proposed (eg funding for child care, pre-school, remedial education), But more is needed than this. Real school funding per pupil doubled from 1975 to 1998 - yet literacy declined. Quantity has increased at expense of quality. Also problems aren't caused by social disadvantage, but rather by social dysfunction. To overcome this requires not only public funding but also valuing achievement, self help and initiative - as well as intolerance of anti-social behaviour (Gruen N 'Not so lucky', CM, 4/1/05).
Australians now work some of longest hours in developed world. PM is proud of 13% growth in real incomes under his governments - but are they happier. Survey's show a large majority feel good about their living standards and family circumstances - though many feel they need more. But there are statistics which suggest that things are not that good (eg high rates of mental illness; depression, youth suicide and drug addiction have been worsening). Trend towards longer lives is likely to be reversed by obesity epidemic. Though financially secure Australians are struggling: to balance work and family life; to instil values in children in face of unprecedented influence of marketing; and to care for communities as governments pass responsibility to individuals. Focus on economic growth over the past 2 decades has been at the expense of families, communities and environment. (Dennis R 'Families and health sacrificed for work and wealth', A, 31/12/04).
Abuse of the elderly (eg selling homes, squandering savings) has increased. 500 cases were reported to elderly abuse unit ('Elderly abuse epidemic'. SM, 26/12/04).
Australia Governor General has controversially expressed the view that the number of abortions should be reduced (Wright L 'Too many abortions', SM, 7/11/04)
More than 250,000 children liven in homes affected by domestic violence - and epidemic costing $8.1bn pa. 408,000 people are victims of domestic violence - 87% being women. Access Economics produced report on this for PM, Cost of Domestic Violence to Australian Economy. It estimates second generation impacts as $220m pa - including juvenile crime. Children who witness domestic violence tend to grow up to be victims or perpetrators themselves (McKinnon M '$8bn cost of domestic violence', A, 23-24/10/04).
Children are not being appropriately disciplined (McIntosh F 'Are we raising a generation of tiny tyrants', SM, 17/10/04)
Many people are shocked by extent of child pornography - but those who work in the child protection area wonder why it has taken so long for the problem to be recognized (Briggs F 'An abuse of justice', A, 5/10/04)
Church groups (eg Australian Family Association) are concerned about frequent portrayal of gays as cool, when this is a high risk lifestyle ('Row over deluge of gays on TV', SM, 12/9/04)
Teenagers are supposed to be obsessed with sex, school and friendships - but studies show they are increasingly taking serious concern with arranging family and professional life (Symons E 'Strife looms on the domestic front', WA, 14-15/8/04).
Evidence has emerged of links between animal cruelty, child abuse and domestic violence (Passmore D., 'War on cruelty hots up, SM, 1/8/04).
PM has joined Opposition leader in commenting on social ills - suggesting that death of a famous cricketer outside pub and increased road rage mark a coarsening of culture. He was also concerned abut voyeuristic TV shows, general decline in interpersonal manners and increased violence / aggression. (Roberts J 'Howard laments coarsening of our culture', A, 9/7/04)
Physical and financial mistreatment of the elderly is rising rapidly (Legge K 'When care turns to abuse', A, 25/6/04)
Residents of Shepperton demanded action to remove a family who had destroyed several previously publicly provided houses, and disrupted their neighbourhood ('Public meeting wants family outed' Shepperton News, 7/4/04)
The issue of amending the Sex Discrimination Act to allow male only teacher scholarships is small
issue in wider agenda. There is a higher level of family breakdown, social violence, moral and social
relativism and general collapse of civility. Social breakdown is the risk. Progressivism has changed
the view of what is acceptable, and relativism has undermined absolutes. There is an absence of
social responsibility and emphasis on 'me'. What is government's role in dealing with this?
Government has to create stable / secure environment in which society can operate. Given current
problems, government's role is limited as solutions can't be legislated. When fathers spend little time
with their sons, legislation can't correct this. Nor can it correct effect of fractured families on on
suicide rates, juvenile crime, education under-performance. It is only families that can correct these
problems - which are society's building block where nurture is provided, and values,
responsibility
and hope learned. Communities must work together to build responsibility instead of self-centeredness and
relativism. Amending Sex Discrimination Act won't solve these problems, but it is a
start in dealing with social breakdown. (Anderson J 'More male teachers a step towards social
repair', A, 22/3/04)
Catherine Lumby (associate professor of media studies at Sydney University) was hired by National Rugby League to deal with concerns about pack rape - but she says that morality is a dirty word. Post-modernist critiquing of our culture symbolizes a slide into barbarism. In teaching players right from wrong Lumby argues that involving women in group sex is no problem so long as they treat them with respect. However it is impossible for those involved in a drunken groupie to treat the woman involved with respect. In Why feminists need porn, Lumby argues that morality is a blueprint for living that someone hands you. She believes that morality is a plot, and that people are better off working out their own ideas. Destroy conventional morality and the institutions that promote it (eg churches) and freedom, reason and self-knowledge will bloom. Several other experts have emerged arguing that group sex could be accepted, so long as the women consented. Others argue that pornography is mainly viewed by pro-feminists (Bolt A. 'Sorry I'm not cool about porn', SM, 14/3/04)
Homophobia results in bullying in many schools (Robinson N 'Homophobia: an issue that dare not speak its name', A, 1/3/04)
Concern about masculinity was all that was reported about Latham's expression of concern - though he gave weight also to girls. Despite success of girls in education, in employment males still gain advantages (Costello M 'Equal rights the big loser', A, 27/2/04)
Boys are suffering a crisis of masculinity. There is a lack of good male role models for boys (Carr-Greg M., 'We need to rediscover fatherland', A, 20/2/04)
Some have argued that child raising with only one parent or with two 'parents' of the same sex is just as good as with a mother and father. The question is do children need fathers. Looked at in terms of human evolution - human beings are still hunter-gatherers. And we still live in small tribes (or family / friends). Primitive man developed specializations - between the sexes. One consequence of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle was the formation of male-female pair-bonds. When men went off hunting there had to be some emotional attachment to ensure women would still be there on their return. Also as survival started to depend more on brains - it was essential for children to extend their learning period. Thus human females faced massively increased maternal burden - and needed a lot of extra help. Thus was arranged through paternal support. This brought about the family unit. As hunting was dangerous - human males became greater risk takers and more single minded - and more concerned with long term gols. They also became better at solving visual / spatial problems. Females became for communicative and verbally fluent. All these differences remain. Thus though some modern people succeed in other's roles, this is in the face of a natural bias. However instead of getting back to genuine equality of sexes based on division of labour, modern women have sought to ignore genetic differences. Thus role of father is family unit has been belittled. A male and female parent are both needed to display to children their unique quirks and qualities. A child raised in alternative families is liable to develop a confused identity. The circumstances surrounding the family unit (grandparents, uncles, aunts) are also important (Morris D., 'Fathers: The Insidious Lie', SM, 8/2/04)
Most contract killings in Australia are arranged by angry spouses and lovers (Milligan L., "Lovers top hit list with a bullet', A, 4/2/04).
Serious issues were raised in a report about a pedophile priest who confessed to sex abuse more than 1500 times without any action being taken by the church. The Catholic church has to address the question of confidentiality of confessional. Absolution must be withheld unless people remove themselves from the problem (Soorley J. 'Confession: Why we must act now', SM, 18/1/04)
Marriage prevents social ills - yet governments finance its breakdown. A long term study has shown that those who marry are less likely to be involved in crime. Marriage also provided support networks and sometimes jobs. Married men are more likely to have full time jobs, and avoid drug use. However government provides most financial support to lone parents. This reflects loss of sigma associated with this - but it has also encouraged lone- parenthood. More spending on children does not improve their later lives - what is important is quality of parenthood. In every area children from fractured families do worse in life. Sexual disorderliness and family breakdown impose unsustainable costs on society (Phillips M 'Facts favour matrimony', SM, 18/1/04)
Neighbourhood disputes make up 40% of 3000 annual cases handled by Justice Department mediators (Heffernan R., 'Loathe thy neighbour', CM, 17/1/04)
Rev Dr Margaret Court has argued that policy which would ban discrimination against homosexuals in taxation, family law, industrial relations and government benefits would undermine Australia's Christian heritage. The view was opposed by Pride WA. Dr Court argued that homosexuals could be helped to change their lifestyle by Straight Choices course at Victory Life Centre (Perth) - and that proposed policy change would threaten family unit and play a part in breakdown of society. The Constitution is built on Christian principles - but values are being diluted, and young people come through schools with no idea of right and wrong. Robert McClelland (former federal shadow Attorney General, and architect of policy proposals) argued that reforms were to benefit real relationships - and eliminate discrimination. Dr Court argued that changes would demoralize society and confuse children (Miraudo N 'Pastor Court hits gay plan', SM, 11/1/04)
Internet pornography has large impact on Australian youth - and for some there is difficulty transitioning from this to the real thing (Carr-Gregg M 'Youth in grip of online onanism', A, 29/12/03)
'Schoolies' on the Gold Coast is claimed to inject $60m into the local economy - but many believe that it is bad for business because (a) accommodation owners could fill rooms anyway - and have far more trouble with 'schoolies' and (b) only a narrow range of businesses benefit from increased trade while the disruption and bad behaviour causes a dramatic decline in business for many others (Weston P., 'Schoolies bad for business', SM, 7/12/03)
A personal account by Chris Keane, a long term member of Sydney's gay community and now a leader in a 'Liberty' program which aims to help people who are struggling with homosexual tendencies (Keane C. 'Proclaiming Liberty', address to Springwood Presbyterian Church, 30/11/03)
Should churches bless loving homosexual relationships? There is a need to search for truth, and to separate facts from lies. Many believe what is presented in the media. The liberal church wants to ordain homosexuals while conservatives want to hang them. Everyone else is confused. Most don't know that homosexuality has identifiable causes, and that homosexuals can become heterosexual. Secular media suggests that all homosexuals support gay lifestyle - but this is not true. Many are not committed, want to change - and need help. Change should not be forced. Personally introduced to homosexuality through someone in church at age 16. Had been growing as a Christian. Knew attraction to men but could never mention this. A relationship started with a 28 year old man. Walked away from church. Expected a 'happily ever after' relationship - but it only lasted 2 months. Then introduced by contacts to gay bar scene in the early 1960s. This was a new world - where same sex attraction was considered normal. Lived in this world for 15 years - and had 4 relationships. But none was the stable monogamous relationships that was being sought. They were dysfunctional, destructive, damaging. After 4th relationship began to question involvement. Always known that this was not morally right personally. This does not imply judgment on others in gay community. Needed to sort out relationship with God. Much gay propaganda was questioned - especially about loving, stable relationship. None of these had been seen any in 15 years. All people in the gay scene were damaged. Promiscuity was normal. Abuse of drugs was widespread. Most not happy. Though materially well off, life was a mess. Thus came out, and recommitted to Christ. But this didn't solve all problems. This is normal for all coming out of gay community. Left a community with its own culture - and came to church which had entirely different culture. Everything was different. This required a huge adjustment and grief (eg grieving loss of contact with wonderful people). Church environment didn't allow grief to be shared. There was also an adjustment to celibacy. It was necessary to make new friends - but it was hard to relate to heterosexual men. All coping had to be done alone. When one stops addictive behaviour, this opens up the problems that addiction had repressed. Pain came from being sexually abused as a child twice - one of which parents knew about and did nothing. This produced rage - which didn't know how to deal with. No one in church would talk about it. Aware of physical and emotional deprivation as a child. Healthy men were seen to give attention to children. It was hard to understand God's father-love as had no relationship with own father - a good man who was emotionally shut-down. He knew nothing about fathering children. Needed someone to listen - not Bible verses, nor trite spiritual answer. But there was no one to help. Over many years dealt with causes of same-sex attraction. Six causes in life contributed to homosexuality (a) abuse as a child (b) emotional detachment from father (c) physical and emotional deprivation (d) rejection (e) external labelling as a homosexual (eg in schools) - after modelling on women in family (e) own sinful choices in meeting legitimate needs. It is documented that 85% of lesbians have been sexually abused as have 65% (though probably much more) of male homosexuals. Emotional detachment from father is also very common in male homosexuals. Other personal causes are also common factors for many homosexuals. Dealt with these issues in various ways. Read Bible and other helpful books. Attended self-development courses - though there were none in church. Prayer and counselling were helpful. Sexual responses changed over 10 years. Myth that once gay always gay is incorrect. Lost desire for male sexual relationships - but couldn't explain why in 1976. Ex-gay ministry only started in US about that time. Most important thing in coming out was relationship with God. Started process with deliberate choice to be obedient to what Bible said. Spent a lot of time with God. Wanted God to be the father that actually lacked. Found satisfaction only in Christ. Made friends with Christian men - who provided role models. All relationships were mutual, not seen as a 'good work'. There was a lot of growing up to do. Many personal reactions had always been childish - instant gratification, self pity. Many who struggle with same-sex relationships have arrested emotional development. Growing up emotionally and intellectually is major part of coming out of gay world. Has been married for 18 years now. Very important that realise that marriage does not change homosexuality. Many married people come seeking help with same-sex attractions. Neither homosexual nor heterosexual sex are a solution. Marriage won't fix underlying problems in early life. For example most lesbians have been abused by heterosexual men who should have been able to trust. Being told to have heterosexual relationship is the last thing a person struggling with this needs. Married men are 30-70% of practising homosexuals. For sexuality to change in coming out of gay lifestyle - requires determination and patience - and results are variable. Many people accept lies about homosexuality (a) that 10% of population are homosexual - real figure is 1-2%. 10% figure came from flawed Kinsey study. There are 50% as many lesbians as male homosexuals. (b) homosexuality is inborn and due to gene - but the research on this is inconclusive (c) homosexuality is unchangeable - which this is simply not true. Nothing is too hard for God (d) anyone critical of homosexuality is homophobic - most do not react out of fear and loathing. Those who speak out against homosexuality are no more homophobic than those who object to having house burgled are 'klepto-phobic' (e) gay couples are just like heterosexual couples - enjoying loving faithful relationships. Never in 15 years in gay community found any example of this. 1984 study of Male Couple (by homosexual authors seeking to prove that criticism of the quality of male relationships was invalid) studied 156 couples. They found that 2/3 of those involved had expected fidelity - but only 7 of 156 had achieved this, and none those relationships had lasted over 5 years. Expectation of outside sex was normal for homosexual couples, and the exception for heterosexual couples. Male couples known personally frequently had unfaithful sex, and this often involved groups sex or public sex in bath houses, toilets. Need to be careful in what is accepted truth. There is need for real research. Church's are consecrating open homosexual men as bishops and being asked to bless same-sex unions. Discrimination is being alleged everywhere. There is a need to turn TV's off and do some serious reading. Leaders / parents need to know. To be part of solution there is a need for someone to be educated about the subject. Some Christians are confused or disgusted, while others have prejudices. Need to see homosexuals as two groups - active gay community - which includes many that are militant and some who have been hurt by church. Behaviour of church has given it a bad reputation in gay community. When gays started dying of AIDS, the churches didn't help. There is a spiritual hunger in gay community (which is satisfied in New Age or Occult). Another group involves Christians who struggle with same sex attractions in a situation in which church doesn't want to know. Liberty is not evangelistic. People can make own choices. Liberty is for Christians who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction. Process of support takes years - and is frequently unsuccessful. There is a Christian way to reconcile Biblical thinking about God's intention for human sexuality, and Biblical-based understanding, respect and support for those with homosexual disposition. This has three components (a) respect authority of scripture - that homosexuality is not God's will - and all sexual behaviour outside marriage is sin. Was looking for truth in coming out of gay community . The church had no idea how to help. The Bible was found to be source of truth. It showed God as father - who will help / love his children. Learned healthy values for living from the Bible - and to function in a whole way. This grounding was vital. If had gone to counsellor who had not upheld scripture (but had rather upheld homosexuality) would now be dead from AIDS. Of 8 people who were well known in Sydney gay scene - now all dead from AIDS. 50% of young men going into gay scene end up HIV+ - and they are becoming more reckless (b) need one standard in church - though a double standard is common. Churches believe many things are sins, and find compassion for sinners - but in the case of homosexuals there is only rejection. This makes help impossible. Homosexuality is put in the worse sin category. But Bible presents it as only one sin amongst many. People need to examine their own lives for sexual sins - which would be no more acceptable than homosexual sin (c) need to provide for people. Any church can do so. Listen with sensitivity. Keep information available. Keep list of reliable Christian counsellors. There must be a climate in church where people can be honest. Church must be a safe place for the wounded. If there are 100 people in a church, 1-2 will be struggling with same-sex attraction. No one should see themselves as better than those who struggle with homosexuality. All Christians are ex something. Those who struggle with homosexuality are not second class Christians. The best place to start struggle for change is with Jesus.
Australia has a large group of aging people, then a smaller group of workers. But there is another problem - welfare dependent youth (depressed, suicidal, in jail, ineducable, or behaviourally disturbed) according to Fiona Stanley. She insists that political and business elites have to start equalising social gradients. This problem has led to creation of Australian research Alliance for Children. Preventive measures are needed. Children and youth are falling behind - as indicated by low birth weight and increases in autism / asthma. 1/6 of children have mental problems interfering with daily activities. Depression is a big issue for school councilors. Higher rates of child abuse are emerging, along with alcoholism, drug abuse by teenagers and rise of antisocial / criminal activity. Despite record national prosperity, 1/6 of children live in jobless household. Unemployed parents are bringing up children next generation with few tools to aid social mobility. Maternal education was stopped - so many mothers are completely ignorant about child development. All that is left is stretched social workers, and complaints from others about social breakdown. The public health approach of first half of 20th century has been abandoned. In early 20th century, high rejection rate for recruits for Boer War led to start of maternal and child welfare system - as it was realized that health problems had environmental and social causes (eg clean water, breast-feeding, good nutrition). Infant mortality than fell in 1920s. In mid 20th century challenge was polio. Next however came problems - family breakdown, divorce, women's movement and changed work patterns. In late 1970s situation turned, Suicide rates have quadrupled, behavioual problems have reached epidemic proportions. The cause is environmental. Women went into workforce without supports, at the same time that maternal and child welfare programs were cut. Women have adopted men's ways, and the result for children have been dreadful. Businesses thus understand the need for family-enabled workplaces. Perhaps government will decide on policies to keep women at home. Professionals now argue for enriched day care for children. Also there is a need for strong system of maternal and child welfare ('Fiona Stanley', Bulletin, 25/11/03)
Australia is on the edge of a welfare blow-out that will harm all taxpayers. This involves combining effect of aging population with large numbers of young people who are welfare dependent - and unable to find work. There are many reasons for increasing numbers unable to take places in society - basically that increasing numbers of families and children are at risk and there are fewer services to prevent problems arising. In children problems are revealed by low birth weight, complex diseases and disorders such as asthma, diabetes and obesity. Mental health problems are increasing. There are escalating behavioural problems and substance abuse, increased juvenile crime, learning disorders and disabilities. Such children will not be able to join workforce - but will become parents of next generation. The numbers involved are unprecedented. Even trebling mental health budgets would not solve problems. Economic prosperity has not delivered a social dividend. Alarm bells are ringing - increased divorce, family violence, child abuse, homelessness and social isolation. Canadians have called this 'modernisties' paradox - to describe child / youth problems and increasing social gradients. Many Australians don't see this as their problem - but the costs will affect justice system, health / welfare system and reduced personal safety. Without costly interventions these children will be welfare dependent. A federal Children and Youth Affairs minister has been appointed. A National Agenda for the Early years has been established. Most state governments have some programs starting. But this issue needs to be in the centre of the national agenda (Stanley F 'Help young - before it's too late', A, 21/11/03)
Formal contractual agreements regarding care of aged parents are being developed - because some are being abused by their children, and informal arrangements based on trust are seen as inadequate (Reynolds A. 'The age of the contract', CM, 19/11/03)
Parents of girls are more likely to divorce than parents of boys - according to US study. Children from divorced families are twice as likely to drop out of school, become parents while teenagers or be jobless as young adults . Parents (fathers) invest more in a family when there is a boy (Leonhardt D 'Girls pay price all their lives', FR, 15-16/11/03)
Domestic violence has surged in Queensland - especially amongst younger couples (Parnell S 'Families wracked by more violence', CM, 22/9/03)
Bullying costs Australian businesses $21bn pa. It is blamed on poor managers with personality defects - who become control freaks. Unions and academics are calling for legislation. others believe that education of workforce is the answer (McLachlan M. 'Bullying hits the bottom line', FR, 17/10/03)
Gay and lesbian groups are getting more organised to seek equal legal treatment in relation to superannuation (Murphy C 'Same-sex, same right, bt new focus', FR, 17/9/03)
Australia is not dealing effectively with issues of trafficking for prostitution - because it is being dealt with in terms of illegal migration only (O'Brian N., A, 11-12/10/03)
It has been claimed that 78% of homosexuals and 95% of lesbians have changed their sexuality after given a particular course of psychotherapy (Yapp R 'Gay cure claims reignite sex debate', CM, 8/10/03)
Domestic violence has surged in Queensland with a 30% increase in the number of teenagers seeking protection of police and courts ( Parnell S 'Families torn by rise in violence', CM, 22/9/03)
While we live in the information age, people have lost knowledge that previous generations had had about how to live happy lives. Marriage used to be seen as providing for long term support - now it is about short term infatuation. Over the past 30 years the indissolulability of marriage has been abandoned. It has shifted from a matter of relevance to society to a purely private matter. With the wisdom of marriage destroyed, divorce rates soared. Then the 'experts' turned their attention to child-raising. The traditional view was that human nature was wayward, and had to be civilised. Parents had to teach children right and wrong. This is no longer so. Age used to be looked forward to because of freedom from youthful obsessions. Now in an era without religion age is feared because of fear of death (Anderson D 'The death of wisdom', SM, 28/9/03)
School children are being given lessons in kindness to combat school violence -
being taught how to
be nice to one another (Passmore D., 'School civility project', SM, 21/9/03)
Violence by fathers against children after divorce can arise from unjustified blame placed on them when wives leave and they no longer have access to children (Jackman C 'When dads get deadly', A, 17/9/03)
There have been 1300 physical attacks on teachers by children in Queensland in the past 5 years. Greater protection for teachers has been sought (Lawrence J 'Under siege', SM, 14/9/03)
Depression, lack of purpose, lack of love, the pressure to conform and constant pressure to win at all costs is a factor in child alcohol abuse (Finnis D , letter to the editor, The Bulletin, 16/9/03)
The numbers of women university students now substantially exceeds the numbers of males. In schools women teachers now outnumber males four to one. It is boys who fill detention and remediation centers, and who drop out. They lag behind in studies, and girls get higher marks in all subjects. Feminism is seen as the cause - as it removed dependence on men - who sulked, refused to do their homework, baulked at committing themselves, and wandered off into fantasy world of pornography and video games. Women made men redundant - and redundant tissue becomes malignant. Males hierarchies are build on competition between males. Now male losers are being replaced by competitive females. Research shows that in all socio-economic groups more women than males now go to university. This achievement is due to gender equity programs and efforts by teachers to raise girls' sights. Males are generally much less committed to education. (Maslen G 'Through the glass ceiling', Bulletin, 9/9/03)
CPDS Comment: Has feminization of the education system (and the discouragement of boys' aspirations) laid the basis for the future emergence of an anti-social (eg gang) culture amongst alienated males?
Church schools will be unable to refuse to employ staff on the grounds that they are homosexual under new Queensland anti-discrimination legislation (Smith W., 'Gay law reforms to hit church schools', CM, 8/11/03)
Legal action following a minor incident at a child's party - which alleged that behaviour was not properly monitored - could create a precedent which restricted freedom of children to play (Weston P. 'Party's over', SM, 7/9/03)
In June 2003 and Ontario court decided that limiting marriage to heterosexuals was discrimination against homosexuals. This is the logical outcome of a lengthy process to redefine and dilute the institution of marriage. In the US laws have been rewritten to dilute both the rights and obligations of marriage - while placing other relationships on a legally equal footing. There has been a fundamental altering of the notion of marriage - which used to be both a public act and an institution. The idea of a binding covenant has been relpaced with the idea of a contract. Thus it is a voluntary agreement, rather than a covernant cementing a social relationship. Now only two stakeholders are considered, where previously children and the broader community were seen as stakeholders. Most societies in history have seen marriage as a social relationship - and the best way to regulate sexuality. However viewed as a contract the social element has been lost. Thus why limit the relationship to just two people. Homosexual marriage would essentially destroy the notion of heterosexual marriage. Arguments in favour of gay marriage could apply equally to incest, polygamy (Muehlenberg B 'Unhappy wedded bliss', CM, 7/8/03)
Gate-crashing of parties by hundreds of teenagers summoned by text messages - some of whom are planning riots - is becoming a common suburban problem (Toohey P 'Party animals', WA Mag. 12-13/7/03)
Family law does not work. Some fathers commit suicide because of family law issues. Fathers find children missing when they have an access visit. Mothers seek help when former partners refuse to pay child support. Family law issues account for 25% of MPs' work (King M., 'Dad's the other word', CM, 24/6/03)
23% of women who have been married or in a defacto relationship have experienced domestic violence - according to ABS Women's Safety Survey of 1996. They might get a hiding, intimidation, emotional abuse, economic deprivation, sexual assault or stalking. The reason for this is not drink or money worries or anger - but power. 25% of Victorian police resources are used dealing with domestic violence (Light D 'Breaking the silence', Bulletin, 10/6/03)
Big Brother featured the eviction of an individual who had made vulgar display, and bullied women. There has been increased attention to the problem of bullying - with many schools instituting anti-bullying programs. Bullying can be physical or psychological. Bullies excuse their behavior as teasing, stirring or just having fun. But bullying should be seen from the perspective of victim. Some teachers see that bullying is just part of growing up - and that victims bring problems on themselves by not standing up for themselves. To deal with bullying victims are taught to stand up for themselves. School and workplace bullying is being dealt with but it occurs also in families when parents harshly put children down. Australians may be getting the message about intolerance of bullying. (Cope B., 'Take bully by the horns', CM 3/6/03)
The suicide of Nancy Crick was turned into publicity charade. Its anniversary was celebrated as a milestone in Exit (Australia) campaign for voluntary euthanasia - yet while she had been old and sick she was not suffering terminal cancer as had been suggested - and was subject to manipulative suggestions by Exit (Murray J. 'No to Exits inhumane strategies', A, 2/6/03)
A handful of Brisbane men have achieved international dominance in the world of internet pornography (Heffernan R and Murray D 'Brisbane spawns kings of porn', CM, 24/5/03)
School principals have sought legal protection against violence and abuse by student's parents (editorial, SM, 18/5/03)
Children can be badly affected by domestic violence even if the are not the direct victim (Sullivan R 'Burden of abuse', CM, 12/5/03)
The number of children suspended from school for bad behaviour has increased by 75% over the past 5 years (Lawrence J 'Out of control', SM, 11/5/03)
The District Court dismissed charges against people accused of indecency - in a loss for the moral minority. Magistrate's Court threw out charges against adult shop proprietor who sold materials deemed to risqué for Queensland laws. Lawyers will argue that Queensland's laws are in breach of Constitution - by interfering with sexual conduct of consenting adults in private - the same approach that was used to torpedo Tasmania's anti-homosexual laws in 1994. It will also be argued that Queensland laws interfere with implied right of communication in the Constitution. Other states permit sale of category one and two restricted material - non-violent explicit erotica. Federal law allows production of X-rated films. It is legal for Queenslanders to own naughty books and videos - it is just illegal for retailers to sell them. But such material is available through mail order and adult shops. The laws are hypocritical. It is legal to go to a brothel and pay for sex - but illegal to buy of video of such an act. How can there be a morality issue if sexually explicit material can be owned but not sold. Beattie has introduced social reforms in relation to drug laws and anti-discrimination legislation. But it has been spineless in dealing with public morals issues. As Beattie argued in legalizing brothels - one can do better by regulating such activity than by policing it. Prohibition does not work - as US discovered 70 years ago. Supply and demand law says that were there is a demand - someone will supply it. For Beattie it seems better to make a token effort and pretend that much of this is not happening. (Syvret P 'Hands off the sex industry', CM, 26/4/03)
Many couples are staging divorce ceremonies with paid celebrants (Lawrence J., 'Why more couples are choosing to say 'I don't'', SM, 11/4/03)
Children, the elderly and disabled will be able to take out domestic violence orders. Previously this could only be requested by people in married or de-facto relationships (Odgers R. 'New laws to reduce domestic violence', CM, 10/3/03).
[CPDS Comment: another indicator of the need to regulate relationships associated with a breakdown of the 'put-others-first' ethical ideal that is likely to constrain the freedom that economic prosperity requires - see Eroding the West's Foundations)
Etiquette has been lost in people's behaviour towards one another on footpaths. A CIS study suggested that society must establish rule of civility or have governments enforce new laws (Sexton K., 'The death of civility', SM, 16/2/03)
Chivalry is dead in Queensland - in terms of courtesy to women, standing for the elderly of pregnant women on buses. Men are confused about how to act - because of women's reactions (Sexton K 'Art of chivalry is a modern minefield', SM, 16/2/03)
Gold Coast City Council wants to pass control of Schoolies Festival to a private company - after struggling to control the event. Secret figures held by police show a high level of rape and violence associated with Schoolies (Stolz G and Jones C 'Council admits struggle to put lid on Schoolies', CM, 22/1/03).
Domestic violence orders will now be able to be taken out by teenagers (Dullroy J 'New violence law to shield teen lovers', CM, 18/1/03)
Griffith University research has found that children neglected by their parents have a tendency towards criminality (Sweetman T., 'Criminality begins at home', CM, 17/1/03).
QUT lecturer finds that students have short attention span, needs to be given 5 minute break every 10 minutes and need to be entertained all the time. Advice from elders is not appreciated (Sweetman T. 'A generation of spoiled brats', SM, 5/1/03)
Angry and abusive children as young as eight are driving parents to despair. Toughlove receives hundreds of letters yearly concerning parents struggling to cope with selfish and violent behaviour - and thousands more suffer in silence. There is also concern that people in their 20s and 30s will just not grow up. Drug use is often at the centre of behaviour problems. Toughlove encourages parents to change their behaviour by showing what they will not tolerate, and making children face the consequences of their actions (Passmore D Parents in fear of their children, SM, 15/12/02).
Equal rights are equal rights. There are no degrees of tolerance - and no right to discriminate. Churches have however objected to state government plans to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual or marital status. Church run schools will lose their right to employ homosexuals. Churches want the right to be able to employ those who follow their religion. This position seems out of step with the ideals of tolerance most people associate with the teachings of Jesus Christ. But church schools often have peculiar concepts of Christianity. Church based groups criticised proposals to establish drug treatment facilities near a school. Catholic and Anglican churches have been shamed by priests, brothers, nuns and lay teachers involved in sexual abuse, and have at times covered this up. The message is that is that it is morally unacceptable for homosexuals or defactos to teach children, but OK for perverts in the church to do so. Parents want certain types of teachers, but schools also rely on public purse. Taxpayers should attach strings - that churches obey law and abide by community standards. Many private schools already employ persons who are homosexuals or defactos who are obliged to be secretive. As long as church schools demand public funding they must accept reasonable community standards, If they want to live in dark ages and debase themselves by hating others - they can do so without reliance on public funding. Church schools routinely under-estimate the intelligence of their students - who can smell hypocrisy. They are exposed to religious education about Jesus teaching on equality, humility, tolerance and love for others. What are then to think when school teachers embrace bigotry as an absolute right (Franklin M 'Backlash on social reforms', CM, 16/11/02)
The amendment of Discrimination Law to prevent church schools from not employing open homosexuals and defactos was introduced without consultation - and flies in the face of commitments to consult. While individuals are not condemned for their sexual orientation or defacto status, this should not interfere with rights of parents to chose an education that accords with their religious values and beliefs. The church must pursue its spiritual mission through its teachings, and as an employer it must witness to its beliefs and values. For some employment roles this requires an explicit level of faith and commitment (McCorley J 'Church values undermined', CM, 9/11/02)
The number of persons taking sick leave is at record levels - and stress at work is the main cause. Factors involved are seen as: greed and consumerism; breakdown in community life; pressure on families and marriages; falling living standards; and employers who demand too much (Kearney S 'Stress linked to record sickies', SM , 3/11/02)
Abuse of elderly people by their children is increasing (Legge K 'Preying on parents', A, 28-29/9/02)
Many institutions upon which Australian's have depended have fallen from grace (banks, churches, businesses). Even screening of swimming coaches in relation to risks of sexual misconduct is now mandatory. Simon Longstaff (St James Ethics Centre) blames such problems on a profound reduction in the trust that the community is prepared to extend to organizations. In the past people would have trusted many classes of people - now they do not. Christian churches always put love before law; people before property; and truth before protecting your back. Now sometimes the opposite applies. Policies to promote protection from abuse are an endless cycle. The less people are required to depend on their own judgment - the more they come to depend on written rules. Guidelines have become a substitute for trust - but it becomes too expensive to reduce everything to legal regulation. A society can't function if nobody trusts anybody (McGregor A. 'Pillars crumble under weight of mistrust', A, 26/9/02)
Concerns about population aging and declining fertility have distracted attention from the more important issue - Australia's family system is dysfunctional in many ways (eg high divorce rates, high ex-nuptial births, 1/4 children living apart from one natural parent, abuse and neglect of children, high juvenile crime, high family taxation). Falling fertility might be part of this wider malaise - and overcoming these problems might be the best way to raise fertility. There is no link between maternity payments and higher birthrates (as shown by Sweden). The costs of having children influences fertility. Three options might be considered (a) different systems for handling the costs of child rearing (b) put in place economic policies encouraging couples to have a long term time horizon (c) restore the status of marriage as a durable and serious bargain between men and women that they and their children need (Maley B 'Dysfunction runs in the family', CM, 17/9/02)
The Queensland Government stopped collecting racism statistics for Queensland schools - after a 1997 report had showed a sharp increase in the frequency and severity of racial abuse (McKinnon M. 'Rise in classes racism shown', CM, 16/7/02)
Feminism accounts for the decline in fertility. Women rejected the family focused women of the 1950s, devalued marriage and motherhood. And driven by 1960s excessive individualism, no-fault divorce became no commitment marriage. Along the way, children lost out. Children of divorce are worse off socially, economically and psychologically. Those children are now even less likely to enter commitments. Why men won't commit argues that men are rejecting marriage because sex is readily available, and divorce is a 50% risk. Many young adults believe that government should make divorce harder (Albrechtsen J. 'No commitment to breed', A, 3/7/02)
Solutions to one set of social problems always seem to create new problems. The tensions created by apartheid in South Africa have been replaced by those those associated with financial turmoil, unemployment and crime. After WWII an attempt was made to correct the problems of the depression by creating stable families. This created situations that repressed women. Liberation of women has now created other problems - but few would want to go back to the old days (Kinnear P. 'Stifling roles are best left in the past', A, 3/7/02)
A culture of impossible expectations (based in the concept of shareholder value as the sole driver of corporate management) combined with greed and stupidity lies behind the financial crisis on Wall Street (Hollands M. 'WorldCom's just the start', A, 2/7/02)
"Something is wrong with - what shall we call it? Wall Street, Big Business. We'll call it Big Money. Something has been wrong with it for a long time, at least a decade, maybe more. I don't fully understand it. I can't imagine its simple. A new generation of moral and ethical zero rose to run Big Money over the past decade, and nobody quite noticed but they were genuinely bad people who were running the system into the ground. I'm not sure it's this simple either: A friend tells me that it all stems from the easy money of the '90s, piles and piles of funny money Wall Street learned to play with ..." (Noonan P. 'The betrayal of US capitalism', A , 1/7/02)
Intellectuals are responsible for the condition of the under-class (according to a doctor / journalist attached to a prison hospital in the UK). Liberalism is seen as the root cause of social and institutional failures – because of an ethical myopia. It reflects an unwillingness to see what is actually happening, and a desire to get one another’s approval. This is addressed in Life at the Bottom: The Worldview that makes the Underclass. – which is based on the life stories of some 50-100,000 people. The violence that is still ghettoed in enclaves of unemployed and family breakdown will soon affect the middle class directly. (Slattery L ‘Slum fun, what?’, A, 16-17/3/02)
In a modern secular society such as Australia, the grip of convention has relaxed a great deal since the 1960s - and people find it very hard to agree about what is right and what is wrong. People are moving from a religious based ethic to one that is based on consequences of actions. Some see this as progress, others find it hard to get their bearings in a confused moral landscape. There is now less concern about lying and greed. But racial persecution and male aggression are seen as wrong. Abuse of children is seen as wrong - but there is uncertainty about the nature of sexual harassment. Public cynicism about their leaders should not be interpreted as implying that there isn't moral outrage (Bagnall D. 'The moral dimension', Bulletin, 5/3/02)
The debate about child sex abuse in relation to the actions of the Governor General while Archbishop of Brisbane is helpful in raising awareness of the problem. But that problem is not being solved. The entire community needs to think about how it deals with this issue. Queensland spends less than 50% of other states on child protection. And despite the Forde inquiry recommendations funding was not increased – with an estimated $170m under-funding. Only doctors are required to report suspected abuses. And the legal system fails to deal with abuses adequately. Everyone is ultimately the victim of child abuse because victims can experience a lifetime of trauma and themselves commit crimes against society (eg theft, vandalism, child abuse, drug abuse, suicide) (Wood David, Chairman Abused Child Trust, ‘Refocus on the children’, CM, 25/2/02) [See also: About Child Sex Abuse which suggests the need to give more attention to the cause of the problem, than to those who have been unable to manage the consequences]
A forum for people who like to have sex in public and those who like to watch will be provided at Brisbane's Convention and Exhibition Centre from 28 February (Lawrence E. 'Uproar over shadowy sex', Sunday Mail, 3/2/02)
What were once seven deadly sins (that led to spiritual death and damnation) - namely lust, gluttony, avarice, sloth, anger, envy and pride - have all become behavioural problems requiring treatment, not punishment, except for pride that has become a virtue (as an antidote to the sense of low self-esteem that is seen as the source of many social and psychological problems). And what were once virtues (humility, kindness, abstinence, chastity, patience, liberality, diligence) are now also seen as requiring correction through counseling (Furedi F. 'The seven deadly ills', A, 2-3/2/02)
No one seems to be willing to admit that the annual 'schoolies' week is a binge-drinking session that has many victims (Wilson P. 'Telling it like it isn't', Courier Mail, 27/11/01)
The war against drugs can not be won (according to the Queensland Crime Commission) until the community understands the problem. The relationship between the community and crime is not always antagonistic. In this case many people want drugs - so there will always be a supply. What needs to be considered is what is making people so desperately unhappy and naive that they fill the void in their lives with illicit drugs. The issue to consider is whether there is a relationship with poverty, violence, social isolation and child sexual abuse. (Franklin M. 'Wake-up call for war on drugs', Courier Mail, 9/11/01) (see also Drugs)
Children are growing up in a toxic society - subject to social and economic pressures that are making them unhappy and unhealthy. The crisis is bigger than that faced with HIV in the 1980s. It needs to be asked why rates of suicide and asthma are now 3 times higher than 30 years ago. There are epidemics of health problems like youth suicides, ADHD, risk taking, depression, autism, cerebral palsy. We have epidemics of crime, more insecure neighbourhoods and drug-taking. The toxic society has crept up over 30 years - and results from rising divorce rates, individuals being more important than communities, and inequalities in wealth, health education and information access (Laurie V. 'How to grow a baby', Weekend Australian Magazine, 13-14/10/01 - quoting Professor Fiona Stanley, Director, Perth Institute for Child Health)
"Australia's gay and lesbian community is to have a new $10 playground in far north Queensland with the planned creation of a resort which exclusively targets the pink dollar', Petty S. 'Queensland resort targets pink dollar', Financial Review, 28/8/01)
"Asylum seekers in Australia are caught in a vicious circle. The longer they stay in detention centers the more emotional and mentally damaged they become .... Eventually ... many of these people will develop a very strong hostility towards the host nation ... (as a) reaction to long term detention and the feeling of injustice" (Sultan A. 'The view from Villawood', Australian, 20/8/01) [See also Refugees]
"Brisbane is grappling with a growing homeless problem ... groups of homeless people are sleeping on the footpath in Elizabeth St in the heart of the CBD" (Heywood L. 'Sleepless in the city with nowhere to go', Courier Mail, 6/8/01)
"Parents have been warned that children can legally refuse to show them details of school records, bank accounts and medical information ... (a department) was told it could not tell the parents of a teenage runaway her whereabouts because she wanted her secret kept" (Kearney S. 'Privacy rules block parents', Sunday Mail, 5/8/01)
"Teenagers across Queensland are prostituting themselves for food, drugs and accommodation to survive" - as poverty is putting more teenagers at risk (Dwyer E. 'Teens selling bodies for survival', Courier Mail, 29/6/01)
"One in three young Queenslanders has considered suicide. A snapshot of the state's youth prepared for the State Government has revealed a disturbingly high rate of despair amongst people aged 15-24 (Tallon S. 'One third of young consider suicide', Sunday Mail, 8/4/01)