From Dr Patricia Morgan
Sir, - In her review of my book The Marriage Files,
Bernice Martin (Books, 12 December)
observed how "It is a pity that she [Patricia Morgan] did not
discuss cultural evidence of retreat from the values of the 1960s,
and a (partial) rehabilitation of the ideals of marriage, or
explain precisely how the state could reverse the trends that she
deplores."
I am unsure what the first half of this comment refers to,
considering how the general sexualisation or pornification of
society has more than fulfilled many of the aspirations of the
radicals of the 1960s. I simply fail to see any retreat here: more,
a continual furtherance and diversification of the liberation
process, not least given the moves throughout education, sponsored
by the state. Where is there any "rehabilitation of the ideals of
marriage", as all main political parties appear to be fervently
against interdependence and mutual support, and for all women to be
in continuous employment and all children in group care, à
la Marx and Engels?
As for the second point, I did refer to what any government who
sincerely supported marriage would do. Not least, this would stop
the discrimination against couples and two-parent families in the
benefits system; recognise the support of dependants in taxation
with proper allowances; and revise the divorce laws by, not least,
having secure contracts that outline, underpin, and reinforce
correct behaviour, and make clear the terms and consequences of
default.
Patricia Morgan
c/o Wilberforce Publications
70 Wimpole Street
London W1G 8AX