Madam, - Ian Kennedy (March 9th) writes that "the best care possible" for a child is having "a loving father and mother". While some might simply wonder at his placing first of the male parent, I wish to question his complacency in suggesting that a mere two parents is the best we can do.
Throughout most of the world for most of history people have recognised that what we now disdainfully refer to as "the extended family" is what family is really about, because it places a child in a context where, whilst it is loved, it nevertheless quickly learns that it is not the centre of the universe. I have no doubt that much of today's anti-social behaviour results from this diminished sense of what family means. - Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER FETTES, Bloomville, Geashill, Co Offaly.