The introduction of divorce reform completely ignores the pain of being an abandoned spouse

Most divorce petitions are already against the will of one spouse. The present (predictably “fait accompli”) proposals intensify this inequality rather than alleviating it. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of an abandoned spouse.

The law, no guardian of morals, now rewards caprice, control, demand, divisiveness, entitlement, impatience, power imbalance (a mere fiat, possibly temper-driven, is, archaically, enough), promise-breaking, short-termism!

The pain of abandonment is compounded by the crippling message, “I don’t need to give any justification for abandoning you – and the law gives me the thumbs up” – something scarcely likely to alleviate the bitterness (which was what motivated this single-factor “reform”).

This same law deserts the already-deserted one and her/his opposite qualities: steadiness, equality, maturity, peacefulness, responsibility, kindness, faithfulness, the long haul mentality.

This is bound to increase disrespect for law and lawmakers – the same disrespect they are hereby teaching. Ever-lowered expectations produce ever-lowered results for children, families, and society.

Dr Christopher Shell
Hounslow

The letter titled “Home education may benefit some children, but I can’t help but think it’s secretly all about the parents” does an incredibly poor job of articulating fact-based reporting regarding the option.

I had the article pull up in my feed and was disappointed to see simply an opinion based narrative with little backing.

From the first sentence that “defines” education to the arguments for peer influence to shape a child’s social narrative, “Without these common behavioural presets being set at an early stage in their development cycle, it can be ‘awkward’ in later life to ‘fit in’.”

You’re kidding right? The author evidences a clear lack of understanding of the contemporary culture of home education.

The last question posed is a valid one. “Am I misguided in proposing that parents ought to support the efforts of our beleaguered teaching professionals to educate our children?” Indeed, you are.

You suppose that parents that home educate don’t support professional educators efforts coupled with those said professionals being a desired influence on their own children.

I encourage an alternate assessment to be pursued, you may find yourself better educated to speak into an ever popular and effective methodology for education.

Janice Lum
Address supplied

The UK government proudly announcing new laws to hold social media providers to account is pretty impressive in itself considering the country is barely being governed while the Tories tear themselves and Britain apart with Brexit.

New laws are, however, always a popular way for governments to appear to be doing something. Tony Blair loved nothing more than adding to the statue book.

The problem was then and is now that laws need to be enforced.

Currently the largest single genre of crime in the UK is fraud. Almost none of it is solved and precious little of it is ever investigated even when it is drawn to the attention of the authorities. There are not enough resources and expertise is sadly lacking.

Why don’t the government stop writing fancy menus when they have no intention of supplying any food?

Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

It is disgraceful that retailers and manufacturers of most Easter eggs are afraid to refer to the word Easter in their product title.

Are they afraid that by calling an item by its proper name they will offend people?

Actually, they are appeasing the minority who wish to ignore the reality of the fact that Easter is a celebration of the most important event in history.

Easter eggs are what their name describes, not just chocolate eggs that don’t have any particular significance other than their shape.

The marketing executives, in trying to make money, should be ashamed they can’t accept reality rather than bow to politically correct pressure. Like many other Christians, I am offended and will not buy them.

Jonathan Longstaff
Buxted

Hasn’t Judy Murray got anything better to tweet about than that tedious perennial about retailers in London not taking Scottish bank notes? Her tweet provokes an avalanche of chip-on-the-shoulder non-sequitur responses on social media.

The reason London shopkeepers sometimes don’t want Scottish notes usually isn’t about whether or not they’re legal tender or anti-Scottish sentiment, but because other customers are generally reticent to accept them as change.

There are so many varieties of Scottish notes but so few in circulation in southeast England, it’s hardly surprising they can at times look a tad unfamiliar, or even somewhat foreign, particularly without the Queen’s image.

Perhaps Murray should stick to tweeting about tennis rather than manufacturing pointless grievances – or use contactless?

Martin Redfern
Edinburgh