Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The children of their generation and ours

By Pru Goward - posted Saturday, 15 June 2002


They work the farms and build the roads for example; as our older arms and legs grow tired, they become the doctors and nurses that care for us when we get ill or just frail; they make our glasses and hearing aids; they amuse us on television and play the music we love hearing, whether it is the Australian Chamber Orchestra or Silverchair.

And importantly, as the number of people of working age available to support those over 64 drops from five to one in 1991, to three to one in 2051, they pay the taxes. Taxes that support us in our old age, as we become the prime users of public health and transport services.

Those same children will consume goods so producers can afford to make them and we can buy them too; the list of contributions to our way of life, whether or not they are our children, is an endless one.

Advertisement

As Khalil Gibran said:

"Your children are not your children; they are the children of their generation". He should have added "and ours".

The sort of society that supports a woman's need for work and family balance, is exactly the same society that enables childless people to balance their work with the rest of their lives; whether that is playing in a rock band, volunteering for community work or caring for their parents or elderly neighbours.

It is a sad day when the Sex Discrimination Commissioner has to defend the contribution of children; it is time to move on from questioning whether or not we all need families and instead focus on how we make sure our young families of today can produce stable, loving and capable young people who will ensure Australia’s future.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

1 post so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Pru Goward is Australia’s Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Pru Goward
Photo of Pru Goward
Article Tools
Comment 1 comment
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy