Gender Inequality

Women’s groups are again complaining about gender inequalities in the workplace. The latest quibble is that women in the public service are overlooked for promotion after childbirth. While their female colleagues are receiving promotions.

Written in the Daily Telegraph (19/8/08):

....65 per cent of women who had taken maternity leave in 2000-01 had not received a promotion in the six years after taking maternity leave. This compared with the 42 per cent of women without children who had not received a promotion over the same period.

It is a biological fact women give birth to children. Also true is that the act of childbirth interrupts with one’s career. Women’s groups acknowledge this fact yet still draw on their feminist ideals to suggest that women should be able to have it all and that it is the fault of the workplace that this cannot occur.

So why is it that people are led to believe that they can have it all? That is, have the career with multiple promotions and have a happy family life. Something always has to give. We want it all, but unfortunately we can’t, it just doesn’t work. Sacrifices have to be made.

Of course this is what the feminists would hate the most, as women historically have been the main caregivers for children. This means that women have been the ones to sacrifice their career (if they had a career in the first place), while the man became the breadwinner. However, the same applies for the man. He will miss out on family life if he wants a big career as well.

The Daily Telegraph fails to ask these unpromoted women if they are happy with their situation. Perhaps they are happy as they are able to have that family life.

The big losers in all this kerfuffle about gender inequality are the kids. Children are a blessing, how about we start treating them as such. In the long run they become the losers from having a non existant parent because work was too important.

What’s Wrong With Hillsong?

Hillsong seems to cop criticism from all directions. Most of the time I think it is unfair and uncalled for. Some don’t like Hillsong because of their inclination to preach “prosperity gospel” or it’s because they are big and successful. Others simply don’t like the mere existence of Hillsong.

Most recently they have been in the news because of a program they run in some government schools. It is called ‘Shine’ and is aimed at building the self-esteem and self-image of young girls.

Doesn’t sound that bad. With all the distorted views we have of what is perfect they could surely appreciate some encouragement and a boost in self-image.

So is the program off the mark or are people’s anti Christian or anti Hillsong prejudices showing?

Underbelly - Book Review

Underbelly: The Gangland War

Andrew Rule & John Sylvester

The truth is stranger than fiction. Therefore the story of the Melbourne Gangland murders is a very strange one indeed.

It is my sort of read, small chunks in shortish chapters and just the facts. No fancy language to confuse me. However there are a lot of names to keep up with. People would come into the story and leave just as quickly, usually in a body bag.

Of course with stories like this there is the concern that it may be glorifying the fast living of the real life “gangsters.” However, how can you glorify dying at a tragically young age or ending up in jail for extremely long stints. They may have had the appearances of a good life on the outside with the big houses and nice cars, but the authors of Underbelly point out how paranoid which drove them into mental health issues. That is if the bullet didn’t get to them first.

Political Games

It’s amusing when one political party accuses another of playing political games when they criticise policies. Amusing because by accusing the other party of playing political games they themselves are playing political games. By accusing someone of playing political games they are taking attention away from the sometimes valid criticisms of policy. The public are made to think that it is bad to be critical of new policy because the critical ones are labeled as playing “political games” even though all politicians are competitors in this big bad game of…….Politics.

How To Deal With WYD Protestors

Was listening to ABC radio tonight. During their evening news broadcast there was a feature story on the few that were protesting for one reason or another in Sydney for World Youth Day. Despite this festival being for the Catholic faith most were protesting against Christianity as a whole. Some were protesting because they have felt the effects of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. This is very understandable. Although the lady interviewed would want you to think that it is Christian doctrine to abuse innocent children. Another lady was an atheist and a feminist, as if just one isn't bad enough.

I was disappointed to hear such views broadcast on national radio. But it is the ABC after all.

So how should Christians/Catholics deal with these protesters? Unfortunately my first thought was to tell them to nick off. Although when common sense prevailed I thought wouldn't it be cool to go up to the protesters calmly and start a mass open prayer session for them. Hopefully there would be some people especially good at spontaneous acts of open prayer in your group. I'm guessing that the prayees will either be freaked out and nick off quick smart or be moved by the spontaneous act and perhaps start to open their mind and their heart to the holy spirit.

Any other thoughts?