Ah Dickie, I have actually had a copy of "The Floating Brothel"
here in my library for some years, it makes for fascinating reading.

But to quote the back cover for you:" The women aboard the Lady
Julian arrived in Australia healthier and happier then they had
ever been before "

Perhaps you should read it, before you try to make out that these
were innocent litle rosebuds.

Some of their courtcases make for great reading too. Prostitution
was the norm in those days, but the danger for a man was that he
would lose his watch, his money and his breeches all in the one
go. If they managed to rent a room, commonly they would pawn off
anything that was not locked down, within 48 hours.

Many stored any money up their vaginas, as it was the one place
where others could not steal it from them.

Life in the slums of London was extremely tough, these girls were
commonly just as tough. They also made a good quid on the way
to Botany.

So forget the tearjerker "mums and kids" stuff.

ASymeonakis

As a woman and a feminist, I’m flattered by your supportive remarks, but I can’t agree with you. Women are no more or less progressive, racist or democratic than men. As for being more sensitive, that’s more a matter of female conditioning to fulfill the caring role – rather than any inbuilt biological imperative.

I know you mean well, but women are no better or worse than men as people. It's just that they are valued less than men in socio-political terms.

MaryE

Regardless of whether Mr Gerritt H Schorel-Hlavka can post you a link about wealthy men evading child support, I can verify this from experience, as I have now witnessed this outcome in 2 divorces that I have been closely linked with in the last 3 years (thankfully, not my own – as I’m happily married myself!).

In both cases, the men are worth about $1.5 - $2 million each in assets but are able to declare business losses every year.

And wait … there’s more. In both cases, the WIFE pays the HUSBAND child support, because the wives are both wage earners.

Overall, I believe the CSA does a good job within the limits of what it can do but until child support can be means tested, it will remain a very unjust system.

SJF,
"Women are no more or less progressive, racist or democratic than men"
I think you do not read very often the surveys and studies about women.
woman are less racists, read any survey about race discrimination in Australia and you will find they are less racists.
They are more sensitive about environment, against the war, more progresive , the majority of Green members and Green voters are women.
I am going work but I will give plenty infotrmation when return back I AM BUSY SORRY!
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

Thanks for your informative posts SJF…… and Ant, I do believe you’re a real SNAG – bless you – ie, a real, “sensitive new age guy!”

SJF – The issue of wealthy fathers claiming tax losses through their businesses appears not to be uncommon. A young friend of mine (a policewoman) receives no child support from her ex-husband as a result of his “failing” business interests and the children inform her that during visitations, they are mostly cared for by the paternal grandparents because Dad (and his lady friend) have “other” commitments.

My father deserted us on my second birthday and we never saw or heard from him again. Nevertheless my disabled mother managed to pay off a canvas lined humpy for 50 pounds, covering the dirt floors with newspaper and lino scraps and my sibling and I would regularly run to the railway crossing with our billycart, freezing at 5am, where the train driver would shovel out coal which we could use for heating.

My mother took in washing and resumed her trade of trouser making where my sibling and I would often smirk when my mother would advise: “Mr Smith, I’ll just measure the rise” as she groped for the hapless gentleman’s crotch!

The realisation of being poor would occur during school hours when other children’s lunches comprised of meat and salad sandwiches – perhaps some fruit cake and an apple whilst mine was a stale tomato sauce sandwich. Always hungry, I sensed being “different” though it didn’t stop me from hanging about hoping for some leftovers!

My mother, from pioneering stock, was able to endure many hardships caused by her disabilities and the disadvantages of being a deserted wife, having to pay off ten shillings a week for her divorce too though I never heard her complain. Nor did she ever malign our absent father though I learnt later from relatives that he was a “womaniser, “batterer” and gambler.”

A loving and dedicated lone parent, I believe, is better than two in conflict and indeed, as a result, I’ve had a most fortunate life.

SJF

<< Ironically, feminism, which has brought so many positive benefits to the family is lagging behind in accepting the 50-50 laws – mainly because of the old pressure on women to be primary childcarers. But I do notice feminist attitudes are softening on this. >>

I have pondered this anomaly myself, I think it is because in the past, custody of children (as well as the traditional pressure) was the only power women had. It was only a few decades ago a woman could not even be granted a mortgage for a home. As more men take on active parenting roles and are also seen to be active parents will this change. However, some women will feel threatened by the shift in responsibilities just as some men threatened by the influx of women into positions of power and influence in society.

Examinator

Thank you for your story - I know how the reflex reaction is hard to beat. I concentrate on the good men I know rather than the bad - which is part of how I manage my depression as well.

Protagoras

Your childhood story was very moving, you painted a very clear picture of what must've been a hard life - especially when you saw glimpses of what other children's lives appeared to be. Well, all I can say is the result has been a deeply thoughtful and reflective person.

One of my last attempts to save my marriage was to go to a counsellor, but my then husband refused to go with me. If you cannot communicate then how do you negotiate the mine-field of separation? This is why I believe the adversarial system has become an anachronism for today's families.

Protagoras. I like your mum.

Examinator. I like your attitude.

Yabby. You are losing your edge that was barely shocking.

Fractelle. When I got the call to say my ex had died (which I was expecting any day at the time) I felt really bad, we had grown up living together.

By the end of the call my voice had started to crack and I could feel the tears spill over but amongst the rush of sadness were two little words that I tried to ignore but they eventually surfaced…

“I won”

His favorite t-shirt said “he who dies with the most toys wins”.

The next two words that bubbled up…

"fcuk wit"