Before divorce come the family priorities

Mediatoday newspapers have always supported the introduction of divorce. But in doing so, they might have overlooked other issues that need to be addressed. There are serious problems which need to be tackled now. They have been raised by politicians of different hues on several occasions, and they include the setting up of more childcare centres, facilitating women at the place of work, attracting women to the workplace, making it easier for married couples to raise a family, supporting young families, reducing taxation for young families, access to private pensions, and private healthcare. The reality is that there has been too much talk and little action. Once again, comparisons are odious, but the best experience in life is the one you live. Raising a family is no joke and at my ‘tender’ age I have come to appreciate more the anger of many middle class families who have more and more problems. This government has reduced purchasing power for the middle class in such a dramatic way that getting married and raising a family is indeed a sacrifice. I am not talking about myself. In my case, it is the best and most rewarding experience I have ever had, but in the case of younger people who still have to pay their home loan, and are starting off in life, the challenges are great. The issue of divorce is a peripheral issue which needs to be tackled and will eventually be tackled. Perhaps not even with a referendum. But there are teething problems which need to be addressed if we are to save the family as it stands today. Andre Camilleri, whom I would hope is acting independently from the PN, will agree that the breakdown of the family is not only linked to couples’ incompatibility but also the great financial stress and strain on raising a family. It is in this context, that the Gonzi experience is a failed experience. His promise of a new way of doing politics and of placing values first is a whole load of hogwash. His rhetoric full of empty promises and ill-thoughts proposals. And the pressures he has imposed on the family, confirmation of his lack of appreciation of his policies. The time has come for change, but I am not too sure it is someone like Joseph Muscat who has  hailed Nerik Mizzi in his ‘national unity’ speech. But then it is not up to me to say who is taking the country for a ride.