Not a council issue
I will be glad if the Wagga council does not expend ratepayers’ money advocating for changes in federal law regarding what constitutes marriage.
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The front page article in the Weekend Advertiser suggested that Kat van der Wijngaart would be pleased for her motion to be adopted by council to assist positive community discussion, but I am not sure she would tolerate discussion on the ‘no’ case.
The article quotes Kat citing an example that implicitly suggests the best way to help a pubescent youth through phases of searching and exploring sexuality is to make available (at 13 years of age) particular lifestyle choices that have lifelong consequences.
In my view, it is not in the best interests of young people to encourage them to make choices they may later regret. It also seems to me to be inconsistent to pretend the high moral ground is to “help” youth (prematurely) adopt homosexuality in what may be a temporary phase of sexual uncertainty, but then ignore what would be a person’s whole-of-life experience of being brought up by same-sex parents.
The laws about marriage enshrine the family unit, and if the state sanctions same-sex marriage, the state will sanction children never having male/female complementary role models at home, possibly never knowing their biological heritage, and always knowing that some of their fundamental needs for nurture took second place to the desire of adults (however loving their intent) to manufacture a parenting experience not provided for biologically, in their homosexual union.
Homosexual partnerships are included in legislation, and that is appropriate. Everybody has a desire for significant adult relationships in life. It is not right, however, for Council or governments to advocate for extending this to the raising of children in homosexual marriage.
Nick Menzies
Wagga
For the children
National Child Protection Week runs from September 3 to 9. In this week, we take the time to reflect on child protection issues and promote the wellbeing of our young people.
I am asking for a world without child abuse and we can only achieve that though creating safe environments for our kids. Reports of child abuse are overwhelming and give witness to the lack of accountability for adults who abuse young people.
Sadly, some communities are looking the other way, ignoring the abuse of children because this is the easiest option. People don’t want to get involved in notifying assaults on our young people because of the fear of the consequences from the perpetrators.
Nothing is more important than protecting our vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. Child abuse goes beyond the tears and pain experienced in childhood. Victims endure a lifetime of psychological and emotional distress, they often become drug users to kill the pain of abuse, attempt suicide, self-mutilate and have major trust issues.
We, as a society, must ensure that we provide our children with a safe and supportive environment, so that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Youth Off The Streets is dedicated to helping victims of child abuse through extensive programs as well as trained youth workers, case workers and psychologists.
We strive to offer a full curriculum of care that is provided on a case-by-case basis, ensuring our young people get the care they so desperately need.
We as a community need to listen to what is happening to our young people, speak up and get help when our children are in trouble.
Together we can protect some of Australia’s most vulnerable young people from experiencing this trauma.