Madam, - Free? We're not free in the Western world. We are trapped in the jaws of consumerism. Like children, we are forever wanting more, more, more.
As childhood gets shorter and shorter children have little sense of being safe, sheltered and strongly parented. "Quality time", which should mean easy chat over shared meals, and simply "wasting time" in happy togetherness, is now often really "spoiling time" - giving gifts to make up for parental absence.
The more material gifts child A displays, the more under pressure child B feels. Parents capitulate. Thus is peer pressure perpetuated, consumerism encouraged and depression and alienation experienced. You are not acceptable if you don't possess.
The media will not support values of moderation. We adults must swim, alone if necessary, against the current. What are churches for if not to help us band together and give deep meaning to this struggle against such tyranny? - Yours, etc,
ANGELA MACNAMARA, Dublin 14.