School peace studies

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 16

School peace studies

Sir,—To love one’s neighbours as oneself, has been the cornerstone of all the major world religions, and mutual respect and compassion the motivating force behind humanism ... Why then the concern about peace studies in schools? It is no longer enough to pay lip service to peace, while competition rather than co-opera-tion remains enshrined as a god in our school systems. We are no longer in an industrial society where schools’ main function was preparing participants for the workplace. For many the workplace is no longer there, and the “system” has ill-prepared them for fulfilling and contented living. Clearly there must be great changes — none more necessary than peace education. I would hope that Stanley Newman, in his position of great responsibility, would have a rethink.—Yours, etc., JILL WILCOX. November 10, 1985.

Fashion and sexism Sir,—lt annoys and bewilders me that most women in this age, an age that claims to be eliminating sexism, continue to seal thenown fates by buying fashion clothing modelled on the “sex symbols” of the time. True Equality for women cannot even begin until they respect themselves, and to respect themselves, women have to learn to love their own bodies, instead of continually (not to say expensively) struggling to imitate some false epitome of sexual perfection. The fashion and cosmetic industries promote sex symbols for the sole purpose of giving women inferiority complexes, so they will buy their products. The beauty industry creates and exploits women’s insecurities about how they look in men’s eyes. No woman should allow herself to be degraded like that. Reject fashion. — Yours, etc., CHRISTINE KNIGHT. November 8, 1985. Bank officers’ strike Sir,—ln reply to Bert Walker’s letter of November 4 where he refers to times when bank workers accepted their “lot” without question, I would like to bring your reader’s attention to the times when

politicians, defeated at the polls, accepted their defeat in a gracious manner. In recent times ex politicians who were held in favour by their Prime Minister, have been given what is considered by the workers of New Zealand to be a “cushy number,” e.g. corporate positions, directorships, etc. These are well-paid perks. I fully support the bank officers’ action and only wish that the politicians of this country had the guts to fight and justify their remuneration as do the workers of this country. It should be realised by every wage and salary earner that if it were not for the “unions” in this country the employers would have us eating grass instead of meat and potatoes.— Yours, etc., F. M. RAE. November 4, 1985.