Working with children in need

Working with children in need This assignment will explain the role of a Local Authority (LA) Social Worker (SW) when working with ‘children in need’ and their families, and those in need of safeguarding and protection, will also explain the main role of children and families’ sw and reasons why they would be involved. Furthermore it will discuss the importance of multidisciplinary working; identify different forms of abuse, their impact and alleviation. In line with evidence based practice, the Children Act 1989 sections 17 and 47 will be analysed as intervention methods It’s important as a sw to utilise an understanding of theories of human growth and development to understand the various stages of development that the children are undergoing, before making any decision of safeguarding. Children in need may have faced extraordinary experiences in their early lives that may affect their physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development. Safeguarding is defined by (HM Government 2013) as ‘the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm’. Child protection is defined by RCPCH, (2006) as ‘the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect’. Section 17 (10) of the Children Act 1989 (CA 1989) defines a child in need as a child who is ‘unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him/her of services by a local authority’ or ‘his/her health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired without the provision for him/her of such services’ or ‘he/she is disabled’ (H M Government, 1989, section 17) gives LA ‘duties and powers to provide services for children in need and their families Part’ 111 (Sec17 (1)). When a referral is made, LA is forced to consider initial enquiries within 10 days. This is to find out what is happening to a child and decide which action should be taken to protect the child as set in the CA1989 S47 of Protection of Children (Brammer 2013). This guide draws’ on all professionals to work together to promote children’s welfare and ensures families are provided with much needed resources. In some historic children cases these processes weren’t upheld and lead to the death of children like Baby P and Victoria Climbie. Lord Laming ((Laming and Office, 2003)) stated that communication has played a major role in successes and failures of the system. He also made recommendations that will ignite working together in terms multi-disciplinary teams working together information sharing’ Connolly and Ward, (2008) suggested ‘It is good practice to consider children’s rights to protection as of paramount duty and at the same time work in partnership with their parents unless doing so would harm them’. The Framework for Assessment of Children (Figure 1) in Need and their Families (DoH, 2000) emphasises the use of an ecological approach to identify the child within the environment and offers a holistic approach (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). It enables professionals to identify systems affecting a child, the most and the social forces impacting on his lifespan therefore, resulting in interventions being applied where they are needed most. An ecological approach looks at people, families, cultures, communities, policies and identifies and intervenes upon strengths and weaknesses in the transactional processes between these systems (Greene and Greene, 2008). Figure1 (Department of Health 2000, p.1) Living conditions may result in disturbed nights, which can lead to strain and tiredness (Hazel, 2002). Similarly, inadequate housing may cause parents anxiety and affect their capacity to care for the children. Therefore, a sw could use their powers to make a referral for families to acquire an adequate accommodation. According to Gill and Jack (2007) the ecological theory is important in the development of holistic approaches to safeguarding children. Its strengths are that it focuses on individuals as part and incorporating other systems, so it integrates social with psychological elements of practice however, it is criticised for assuming that everything fits into a social order (Payne, 2009). A SW is expected to consider human rights issues when completing any assessment. In the community there’s a whole variety of groups e.g. ethnic minorities, women, disabled people, homosexuals children just to mention a few. Professionals are required to uphold and defend the rights of individuals whilst seeking to meet their needs and this are all governed by The Human Rights Act 1998. Brayne Shoot, (2010) said ‘the act has also heavily influenced the Disability Discriminations Act, (2005) and Equality Act, (2006 2010)’ Welbourne (2012) said ‘SW is a profession that engages with people’s lives at all levels, from the practical to the deeply personal. Lord Laming (2003) said ‘child protection is everyone’s business, and it’s important that SW, police, and health workers take the lead role for the procedures and processes that protect children from harm’. The CA 1989 sec 47(1) places a duty on LA to investigate when they: ‘are informed that a child who lives or is found in their area is the subject of an emergency protection order is in police custody’ ‘have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found in the area is suffering, or is likely to suffer a significant harm’ LA will conduct an initial child protection conference that consists of all professionals including the child, family members. This is a partnership aimed at setting out plans in place for both family and the group members. They will meet within 10 days after the initial conference and at least 8 weeks after that. The plan will be considering day to day details of the care plan and to put it into practice. After the case has been opened, implemented and put into practice, a Review Child Protection Case Conference is called to review and assess the progress of the case. The first review is held within 3 months of the initial conference and at least six months after that. A SW will always aim to achieve results and return the child to their parents. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006 (Department of Health) has 5 identifiable forms of abuse as neglect, physical, emotional, sexual and domestic abuses, and the latter has been recently added and recognised in its own right. Coleen L (2003) suggested that ‘Negligence can include behaviours that receipt, fraudulently misrepresentation, defamation of character act, violation of human rights, malicious prosecution. Maureen O’Loughlin and Steve O’Loughlin (2008) suggested that ‘Parents have a central role in their children’s welfare and protection from harm, and should therefore be included in all decisions and actions taken by professionals†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Parents have their complex needs as well, some abuse drugs and alcohol and generally have low self-esteem. If parents deny sw access to a child and there’s a possibility of a greater risk of life or likelihood of serious harm, LA will apply for the Child Assessment Order sec43 CA 1989 when they considering any kind of contact, LA would have reasons to suspect concerns with development, welfare and health of a child. This order will only last 8 days without extension. Emergency Protection Order (EPO) under S44 of the CA 1989. It can last for 8 days with the option to extend for 7 more days. Brayne Carr, (2010) suggested that ‘It is important that any discussions with children are done in a way that minimises the distress and maximises the likelihood of them providing clear and accurate accounts’ The children may be looked after by the LA with parental agreement (Children Act, 1989, sec. 20. ‘A child may only be kept in police protection however, for 72 hours’ (Brammer 2006). Other order available is Recovery order sec50, will be applied if a child under PPO or EPO is removed from the responsible applicant. Police can recover the child and return them to the place of safety. SW has ‘an obligation to conduct themselves ethically, engaging in ethical decisionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ making, including partnership working with service users’ and this was quoted by The Code of Ethics for Social Work (BASW, 2011). Social work is a very privileged profession, they draw up conclusions and judgement on what they observe and hear. Hence it’s necessary to develop an inner skill not to use prejudice in any engagement. Empowerment has been understood as a paradigm within anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice (Lishman, 2007) and can be implemented through partnership working, which is a key social work value (Thompson, 2009). This assignment has shown how and why a sw would intervene when a child becomes in need. It also discussed the LA’s responsibility for children in need and their families. Aim is to protect and safeguard children from harm by forming partnership working with families; assist in providing alternative services to promote their welfare. The assignment drew up on relevant legislation that ensure welfare of a child remains paramount, also challenges all professionals to collaborate in a systematic manner. Children have been let down in the past and Every Child Matters ensured it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that their health and development is secured. This reiterates the importance of SW’s impact into the system, drawn from Code of Ethics sw’s should always challenge any discrimination, recognise diversity, always distribute resources to those in need, challenge unjust policies and practices and work in solidarity. In conclusion a sw would not be awa re if a child is in need or requires protection; however, the facts in this essay provide a sensible method of judgement on whether a child is in need or at risk of significant harm.

Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties Essay -- Jean Jacques Ro

Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties The purpose which Rousseau ostensibly gives his social contract is to free man from the illegitimate chains to which existing governments have shackled him. If this is his aim, then it follows that he should be most concerned with the preservation of freedom in political society, initially so that savage man might be lured out of nature and into society in the first place, and afterwards so that Rousseau’s framework for this society will prevent the present tyranny from reasserting itself. Indeed, in his definition of purpose for man’s initial union into society, he claims that, despite his membership in an association to which he must necessarily have some sort of obligation if the contract is to be valid, he will â€Å"obey only himself and remain as free as before† (I.vi. 4). However, hardly a paragraph later, he appears to contradict this idea entirely, saying instead that men’s union into society constitutes â€Å"the total alienation of each associ ate with all of his rights to the whole community† (I.vi.6). This apparent contradiction begs the question, what is the freedom that Rousseau envisions for man, and how does this kind of freedom relate to individual rights and protect the individual within a society governed by the general will? Rousseau’s conception of freedom begins to take shape in the transition from nature to society, in which a fundamental shift occurs in human nature that translates into a change in the nature of freedom between the two states. Entrance into civil society, Rousseau argues, â€Å"produces the most remarkable change in man by substituting justice for instinct in his conduct† (I.viii.1). That is, entering civil society allows man to exist peacefully in ... ...s him without any recourse except to accept the constant error of his ways and obey. Rousseau opens The Social Contract with the claim that he is â€Å"taking men as they are,† but he is in fact taking man as he wishes he might someday become, as his theory of human perfectionism betrays (I.i.1). And while Hobbes understands that man will never bow voluntarily to coercion and will fight for his life inside and outside of society, Rousseau thinks man can be conditioned to accept coercion as a blessing so that no force will need to be exerted to keep him in order. And in the process of shaping men in the image of his mind’s eye, he is willing himself to tolerate what he calls â€Å"the most enormous abuses,† from the subjection of men’s very thoughts to the jurisdiction of the law, down to the right of the sovereign to execute citizens it deems a danger to its amorphous good. Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties Essay -- Jean Jacques Ro Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties The purpose which Rousseau ostensibly gives his social contract is to free man from the illegitimate chains to which existing governments have shackled him. If this is his aim, then it follows that he should be most concerned with the preservation of freedom in political society, initially so that savage man might be lured out of nature and into society in the first place, and afterwards so that Rousseau’s framework for this society will prevent the present tyranny from reasserting itself. Indeed, in his definition of purpose for man’s initial union into society, he claims that, despite his membership in an association to which he must necessarily have some sort of obligation if the contract is to be valid, he will â€Å"obey only himself and remain as free as before† (I.vi. 4). However, hardly a paragraph later, he appears to contradict this idea entirely, saying instead that men’s union into society constitutes â€Å"the total alienation of each associ ate with all of his rights to the whole community† (I.vi.6). This apparent contradiction begs the question, what is the freedom that Rousseau envisions for man, and how does this kind of freedom relate to individual rights and protect the individual within a society governed by the general will? Rousseau’s conception of freedom begins to take shape in the transition from nature to society, in which a fundamental shift occurs in human nature that translates into a change in the nature of freedom between the two states. Entrance into civil society, Rousseau argues, â€Å"produces the most remarkable change in man by substituting justice for instinct in his conduct† (I.viii.1). That is, entering civil society allows man to exist peacefully in ... ...s him without any recourse except to accept the constant error of his ways and obey. Rousseau opens The Social Contract with the claim that he is â€Å"taking men as they are,† but he is in fact taking man as he wishes he might someday become, as his theory of human perfectionism betrays (I.i.1). And while Hobbes understands that man will never bow voluntarily to coercion and will fight for his life inside and outside of society, Rousseau thinks man can be conditioned to accept coercion as a blessing so that no force will need to be exerted to keep him in order. And in the process of shaping men in the image of his mind’s eye, he is willing himself to tolerate what he calls â€Å"the most enormous abuses,† from the subjection of men’s very thoughts to the jurisdiction of the law, down to the right of the sovereign to execute citizens it deems a danger to its amorphous good.

Arecanut and Cocoa Production and Marketing Aspects Essay

Arecanut is an important commercial crop in India which plays a prominent role in the religious, social and cultural functions and economic life of people in India. The present production of arecanut in the world is about 0.854 million tons from an area of 0.702 million hectares. India ranks first in both area and production of arecanut Arecanut industry forms the economic backbone of nearly six million people in India and for many of them it is the sole means of livelihood. Both area and production of arecanut in India have increased tremendously during the last three decades. The area under arecanut in India has increased from 0.167 million hectares during 1971 to 0.4 million hectares by the year 2010-11 with an overall growth rate of 2.2%. During the same period the production has increased more than 3 times from 0.141 million tons to 0.478 million tones with a growth rate of 3.2%. As of now, cocoa is one of the important commercial plantation crops in India and it is mainly cultivated in four major southern States viz., Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. India produces 12954 tonnes of cocoa from an area of 46318 ha (DCCD, 2010). The cocoa industry in the country had expanded to a considerable extent in recent years. At present, more than 15 industrial entrepreneurs and firms existing in the field demand nearly 30,000 tonnes of cocoa beans, of which the present domestic availability is only about 40 percent. Considering the market growth in the chocolate segment in India, which is about 20 percent per annum, cocoa, has a great potential to develop in future years. Recent area expansion in Andhra Pradesh (16969 ha) can be taken as a positive response to the demand-supply fissure. We can further, strengthen the Transfer of Technology (ToT) activities to encourage the cocoa cultivation as an intercrop in arecanut and coconut to meet the challenges r egarding supply of cocoa in the future. Economic impact analysis of arecanut based cropping system An impact analysis of arecanut based cropping systems in South Karnataka has been carried out. It was observed that, farmers are predominantly following three cropping systems which were, 1) arecanut + banana 2) arecanut + cocoa and 3) arecanut + banana + pepper. To estimate the economic impact of different cropping systems, we have calculated the average cost per hectare, average yield and the net returns of each system. The quantification of economic impact of each system has been worked out by combining the difference in net returns of each system from the arecanut monocrop, and percentage of adoption of each cropping system. The total economic impact due to adoption of cropping systems in the region was found to be Rs 680 million. Economic impact analysis of improved arecanut varieties The analysis was based on a field survey of 120 arecanut farmers in South Karnataka. To estimate the economic impact of improved varieties we have calculated the weighed average cost per hectare, weighed yield and net returns of the released varieties. The weights are assigned according to the estimated percentage area of each variety in South Karnataka. The total area of arecanut in the district was multiplied with the percentage adoption of improved varieties in the region to arrive at the total area under improved varieties. The difference in net returns will give the additional benefit we would have obtained, had the area been under released varieties. It was observed that 13.6% of total area in southern Karnataka is under released arecanut varieties. The economic impact of released arecanut varieties in monitory terms was found to be rupees 141 million per year. The presence of improved varieties was more prominent in the young plantations. The holding wise observations revealed that the presence of released varieties was more in small holding groups. Cost of production of arecanut and cocoa According to the study conducted by the Institute, the cost of production of one kilogram of arecanut in a well-maintained garden was found to be Rs 104.20 Here we have considered the economic life span of the palm as 35 years and average annual production as 2700 kg/ha The average maintenance cost (from 8th year to 35th year) was calculated at Rs. 168765/ha. The cost of production of cocoa grown in arecanut garden was found to be Rs74.42/kg of dry beans and average annual maintenance cost recorded at Rs 55268/ha. Marketing The chali and the red are the two main varieties of arecanut consumed by the people mostly as a habit. Chali or the white supari is used mainly in the pan or beedas and the red variety is used both in the preparation of pan and value added products like pan masala, ghutka, sweet supari etc. From production to consumption level both private traders and the co-operatives play an important role in India. Here, the share of the cooperative is around 15 per cent and remaining is under the control of the private traders. Among the cooperatives The CAMPCO, a nodal agency has its own purchasing and sales centres throughout the country Disposal pattern: A study in Dakshina Karnataka showed that 80 percent of the farmers, who dispose the produce immediately after harvest, were small cultivators. Remaining 20 per cent who disposed the produce when the prices in the market are favorable, were large farmers. It was observed that indebtedness and lack of proper infrastructure facilities for storage compel the small farmer to dispose the produce at the earliest. The majority of the farmers (63%) sold chali supari to traders, who reportedly paid two rupees extra of the market rate per kg of chali sold. Stagnating market prices and increasing cost of production, especially the skilled labour charges in the recent times have generated livelihood concerns of arecanut farmers in India. Surging imports, which is around 12 percent of the domestic production, certainly has a significant role in price stickiness. Market studies reveal that around 75 percent of the arecanut trade is in the hands of private trades, which has provided ample scope for hoarding and resulted in market imperfections and low price realization. In the case of cocoa the current supply is only around fifty percent of the actual domestic demand and hence, there exist a huge scope for area expansion with the supply of elite seedlings/grafts. Effective dissemination of technologies through trainings, on-farm trials, demonstrations and seminars are being carried out by the Institute. Nevertheless, the price stagnation of the crop for a long period has caused disinterest among arecanut farmers. Therefore, in the case of arecanut a vicious cycle was formed in the pattern of ‘depressed prices + shortage of labour–crop negligence–diseases /pest attack–low yield/production’ and this in turn especially has adversely affected the small and marginal arecanut farmers who are solely dependent on the crop.

Watch Your Back essays

Watch Your Back essays A wise man once said do unto others as you want them to do to you. This golden rule is a lesson we have all been taught since we were children. If you are nice to someone, chances are they will be nice to you. Well, how does one respond when the opposite occurs? When one is decided by society to be different and therefore, treated unfairly, based on their appearance or on their ways of life. If one is only treated with disrespect and malice, then one will act out only with disrespect and malice. When pushed to the limit, people snap. It happens every day - the Columbine shootings, cases of abused people getting even. Past experiences cause them to act out irrationally, and it is not their fault. In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, this theory is proven by the creature throughout the novel. Every time he comes in contact with a human, he is hurt, emotionally and physically, and therefore acts the only way he was treated, causing the same amount of pain and suffering he has had t o endure. The first example of the creatures rejection (and the start of his demise) is the day of his creation. As soon as Frankenstein lays eyes on him, he runs away, leaving the creature to fend for himself. Frankenstein tries to sleep it off, but the creature finds him, instinctively, the way a baby duck can find its mother. Frankenstein beheld the wretch, and he escaped and rushed down stairs (935). He left the creature while a grin wrinkled [the creatures] cheeks and one arm was stretched out, seemingly to detain [Frankenstein] (935). Obviously the creature was trying to communicate and start a relationship with his creator, but was shut off before he even had a chance. Frankenstein interpreted the creatures actions the wrong way; the outstretched arm could only mean the creature wanted to be accepted, wanted to be loved, especially by its...

Free Essays on Advertisting The Toyota Matrix

Once Upon a Time†¦ Back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Toyota offered a vehicle somewhat similar to the Matrix, the Corolla Wagon. Those who remember the Corolla Wagon have perceived the Matrix as its second coming. This â€Å"Corolla Wagon† image is what Toyota would like to shed from the Matrix. Tagged as a 2003 model, but entering the market in the spring of 2002, Toyota designed the compact Matrix to have the style and performance of a sports car, along with the functionality of a Sports Utility Vehicle. Toyota currently manufactures the Matrix at two separate locations: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV). The basic idea for the Matrix is aimed toward young people, according to Craig Kember, designer of the Matrix. Kember goes on to say: â€Å"The direction I took the car was to take the idea of import racers with big wheels/lowered cars that are very fender and wheel oriented and inject that sort of persona l sports image with the usability of the package (four doors and a hatchback).† Kember also mentions that even while designing the Matrix, precautions were taken to make sure that the body style would not get too close to that of a station wagon. A station wagon type body is what Kember says â€Å"†¦we were deathly afraid to get too close to†. In terms of styling, the side window line is very â€Å"raked† (as termed by Kember) to give the Matrix a more sports car feeling, with the top of the window line â€Å"pinching† as it descends to the rear of the car. This particular feature makes the Matrix appear as more of a coupe than a wagon. Matrix also has a body sculpture, â€Å"which is very fender oriented with both large body lines wrapping themselves around the power of the wheels in order to give it a unique look for a small car.† Kember proudly states. Although, â€Å"small car† may not be the appropriate label for the Matrix. P art SUV (Sport Utility... Free Essays on Advertisting The Toyota Matrix Free Essays on Advertisting The Toyota Matrix Once Upon a Time†¦ Back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Toyota offered a vehicle somewhat similar to the Matrix, the Corolla Wagon. Those who remember the Corolla Wagon have perceived the Matrix as its second coming. This â€Å"Corolla Wagon† image is what Toyota would like to shed from the Matrix. Tagged as a 2003 model, but entering the market in the spring of 2002, Toyota designed the compact Matrix to have the style and performance of a sports car, along with the functionality of a Sports Utility Vehicle. Toyota currently manufactures the Matrix at two separate locations: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV). The basic idea for the Matrix is aimed toward young people, according to Craig Kember, designer of the Matrix. Kember goes on to say: â€Å"The direction I took the car was to take the idea of import racers with big wheels/lowered cars that are very fender and wheel oriented and inject that sort of persona l sports image with the usability of the package (four doors and a hatchback).† Kember also mentions that even while designing the Matrix, precautions were taken to make sure that the body style would not get too close to that of a station wagon. A station wagon type body is what Kember says â€Å"†¦we were deathly afraid to get too close to†. In terms of styling, the side window line is very â€Å"raked† (as termed by Kember) to give the Matrix a more sports car feeling, with the top of the window line â€Å"pinching† as it descends to the rear of the car. This particular feature makes the Matrix appear as more of a coupe than a wagon. Matrix also has a body sculpture, â€Å"which is very fender oriented with both large body lines wrapping themselves around the power of the wheels in order to give it a unique look for a small car.† Kember proudly states. Although, â€Å"small car† may not be the appropriate label for the Matrix. P art SUV (Sport Utility...

Provide an example of one of the forces in Porter's Five Forces Model Assignment

Provide an example of one of the forces in Porter's Five Forces Model - The threat of the entry of new competitors - Assignment Example American Boeing has 70% of the worldwide market share and is a prime manufacturer of engines and aircrafts. Remaining 30% is shared by Airbus. Boeing has established its market and brand name over the years and cannot be threatened by new entrants or competitors that easily. We can analyze that because of the high capital and technology requirement of the business, the entry barriers are quite high. The high entry barriers show that the threat of new entrants and thus for any competitors for Boeing is quite low. Any company to enter the industry and to compete with Boeing has to be financially stronger than Boeing. It has to bring in with it new and highly advanced technology to give fierce competition to the existing and established company. The initial investment or the startup cost in the airline industry is very high. An 800-seat plane that Boeing manufactures requires an investment of more than $10 billion. Competitors require huge costs and budget for research and development a nd production of the differentiated and unique product that Boeing produces. The threat of new competitors for Boeing is quite low it is because barriers of the knowledge and expertise required for the business as well.

Wicked Problems Social Policy in America on Equality Essay

Wicked Problems Social Policy in America on Equality - Essay Example They were able to work; educate themselves and rise in society. Social policies do not address the sociological issues, they answer at a very superficial level the end problems dealing with inequality and and not within inequality. Meritocracy and Egalitarism cannot be achieved as it assumes that we are not unique individuals. Three issues we be covered: legacy issues in Elite colleges, Blacks fail in law school and Gay marriages. In concluding a summary will be made, confirming when the government gets involved, social groups suffer. Much argument has been in the press about alumni accepting legacy preferences. Legacy preferences currently is not covered by Affirmative Action but the government is looking to pass legislation under the" The Civil Rights Act of 1866 which preventing discrimination based on ancestry and on race." (Wise 2010) I personally don't think the issue should be addressed at the government level. An alumni child has a 20% more chance of being accepted in his par ent's school. Is this not human nature?(Kahlenberg 2010) Currently in France, it is policy in order to apply for a job, the applicant has the right to omit all information indicating his race, background or religion. If the US were to do the same, then the College applicant still has the SAT scores. A parent, who has come from an Elite college, will have given his child a good background thus the best preparation possible for the SAT. Empirically it is impossible to statistically test, if legacy preference is an indication of acceptance. If Elite colleges were to strictly apply affirmative action, it would be at the detriment of under qualified students. A study done by Standford University found that "33% of black law school graduates in California pass the bar exam on the first try and most never become lawyers". (Kahlenberg 2010)T he question at hand is to prepare black students before they get to University so they are not in the situation to fail. Â  Gay Marriages implies that the institution of marriages is completely eroded. If 1 in 2 children will suffer a divorced marriage, the question is not allowing gay marriages but why is the concept of marriage having degraded to such a deplorable level. (Frum 1997 ) The Social Structure and concept of marriage is the real problem. There is no longer the social structure within the religion which checks and balances each relationship to make sure people and couples stay on the right track. Gay marriages are a sign of society that the institution of marriage is even more insecure. Marriage used to be a means to raise children; to make a life time bond; to continue family legacies. Now it has become "an exercise in radical autonomy". Affirmative Action and marriage do not go hand in hand. Bringing a child into the world assumes that the mother, normally the woman, plays a lower role in the couple as she has given up many of her equalitarian freedoms to raise her family. He proposes to make it harder to divorce; t o teach in school the different roles of the "sexes" and to teach in sociology that it were socially acceptable, Government policy has nothing to do with it. David asks if homosexuals would really want to marry if they knew the complicated social structure it actually involved. It is hard work to stay married and happy. There is not the autonomy or the affirmative action in a marriage. An institution is meant to stand. The family is a sociological structure that has been long part of our society before the 50's. Those, who favor gay marriage, must not have strong marriage themselves. A woman was built to have children and to rear children. Perhaps the word 'marriage' is the issue. In some countries, laws have been passed legalizing the right to live