Conunune, artempled 1o found a league for the protection of the rights of childeen and dedicated his novel perspective' L'Enfant to all oppressed children Council for Civil produced a pamphle alled Rightsof Children and there is years.— Rights contributions by writers such as Leila Berg, Michael Duane, and A. S. Neill On the whole writers involved in thirissue come from the libertarian or Unfortunately, ignored the the subject. The result is that children's tighes often look suspiciously like For insanice, Jobn Holt in Eseape from Childbood tales about a child's right to own, buy and sell property, to establish credit, sign chart the concerned childhood of the about whas sort of social forces are and the system necessary to make an improvement i changes he proposes coul take place childhood in ary reasurably intelligent, honest IDEOLOGIES Clearly socialist proposals on the position of cbüdren can oniy take place in a socialist society, and even medicine then thesire far from ievitable in the mortality same way as worner"s emancipation is At the moment, bowever, socialist proposals have not been worked out chiliren: and this is why the resent issue of Child Care (Radical Psychology Magazine No.9) if to be welcomed as an attempt to againsi The develop further our analysis of childhood from a Meminist-socialist Ir begins by looking at the changing ideologies of childcare in the last 50 Truby King, Spock, Bowlb:
and Lee Comer concludes tha there is no common sense and there are no universal truths about child reariop', She points to the contrasting attitudes to children in agricurural as compared to inuustrial societies. by the This bine of argumest is developed second articie Deprived?, be refercoce to research done in Zambia which shows up the theories of intellectual desclopment, These two persectives — historical CUES and cross-cultural are the necessar begin the аладі.
Hitorically we need to go back Turiber, at lenst to the 17th century, to changing attitudes ising bourgeoisi schooline Ibe: initiated which has bernme such a dominant force in shaping modern Also important is the advance of which affected infant and ANd ACTICE atticades to children For example, as late as the Сло от Ine 19 Ста Trouky describes how he was one of eight Four died manfancy, of diphtheria and of scarlet fever, deaths almost as unnoticed as was the life of those who survived, The land, the cattle, the must also be avoided. Thinking tha sou can simply condition children to be non sexist for example.
sensitively explored in an article called "Gende 'My problem, as a feminist paren in woloid: What is the nature of sex-identsy? In the society an which 1 Be, how can I confirm my chis ye) identity and at the same time struggi:
the behaviour patlera uaditionally seco as appropriate l this sex identics?
nurbor gives fascinating examples of haw comples a quesuon this is and asks finally:
'How can we encourage non-sexism withour being authoritarian, withou thwarting our children's developing personality and autonomy?
FUTURE Two articles discuss the vital question of day care provision. Who Minds State Care critically examine: the different forms of state provision child minding. which is the mas day care (organised under Social Services depariments) and mursery education (organised by Education Departments).
The author points out that the stat: has no overall child care policy. Bu similarly there is no organised radice dialogue about child care. For cosi child cure workers the debate is still at an extremely low level', That there is Jikely to be a very positive response ro such oreanised discussion is andicated recent meering of trainee nursery norscs at which hundreds of students turned up The article on she Defoe Day Core Centre points to the importance of nursery workers in different sectors getting together, particularly to hight Theeditors of Humpty Dumply reas they wish to be examined i future issues — political priprities for left groups around child care, men's role in child care, children's sexuality, children in "aisdon" about child full-time care psychologica. care, and the ideulogs of the family To this could be added children: collective political action as school, siblings. gangs, youth culture. th National Union of Schpol Student secing children as subjects and not just objects of study connected this the importance of hearine childeen's first-hand, rather than transmuted by adulls Humpty Dumpty & 45p per issue and subscriptions are E3. Back isue leclode No. 5 (Prisons/sahnormality| 15p; 6/T (Mental Woessi, 30p. From:
Hampty Bumpts 5 91 John's Terrace, Belle Vue Roul, Leeds 3.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 22 June 1075 page 13
LIKE MANY other organisarions, we sent delegates to the Anti-Racist, Anu-rascist s coroanne cougnu tee conference. It is true thai many important CECOTS including a favourable attitude to the Nazi LEULE problems remain unsolved.
The conference did not organise workshops as part of the plan. This meant chat aspects of fascism that many delegates wished to discuss were ignored, leading tensions in the conference which in turn led to delegates withdrawins Further, the conference lacked clear action perspectives and only marteri of internal organisation were resolved. Even here a significant sethack occurred because the two black delegates standing for clection co-pramatuls withdrew ARAFCC off ered anythine for the black community.
This, sadly, isgenerally true. In this respect ARAFCC must and realise that as yet it represents a good part anti-fascist force and even combined with the ANL would anti-fascist force. most striking thing to come out of the conferenoe.
ANL GROUP, (Forest Sydenham sed Pengei ON 3-4 JUNE tbe first national anti-racist, anti-fascist was beld. The organisers operated or an extremely open hasis and some IAC H BISIESIDA EOuE BIdEC Unfortunately a lot of antagonismi was also generaled and ar the cod of Sunday's session some articularly blacks, gays, and womer the WARF dissociated themseives structure set up by conference.
Leamingion Anti-Racist Fascist Committee (LARAPC) IS extremely concerned that the present disagreements should not be allowed to permanently prevent the unification of the anti-racist, anti-fascist movement. For our part wc wish to emphasise our support for the new nae to be set up based on regional national co-ordinating committoe hodies.
We are plad that the conference rejected the advice of sectarians and resolved to work with the Anti Nazi League. But for the present we think that there is a great need for a separate body which can raise such issues as the Immigration Acts, sexism and racist NORTH WEST WARRINGTON Socialist Benchetur Challenge silices for celalls 001-238 2:52 ORESTER SANCHESIER SOCIMIRE and wcuid !No 10 ehe to Mancheme SC 225 4287 PRESTON Socialal Challenge supocieia cun bo contatied by orging LIVERPOOL Speia Socieliat lenge proup SOUTH MANCHESTER Challenge group mems guerg an ongsight Marker normannn trom 063-15 LONDON HARROW Socialist Challanpe sup SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 22 June 1978 page 14 voice through such a structure.
taken, assess the i many established.
feel that unbearable Nazi-bashing is the people think that the watered could help commnittee think ANL conference.
suggested De boan only To us this is the TULUCS enliven a debale conference exnenenoos, A for the ANL to fallow.
Hall, comrades horses.
ANTI-RACIST, COMMITTEE (Leamington): conference DAVY delegates, moverent, movement's good.
the Cicat -piece of the anti-racist cake, revolutionary gration.
Bex GREENWICH, LEWISHAM Socialist ay or Dt 069 118 Box fo. Lorden Ni WALTHAM oer oiter.
Chalwrite te London SC orgnnaet c/o PL Bux 50, Londen NI, HACKNEY Bociiat Chalenge mas Sociallet pachete meet mania Fut Mare Si Last market in Ca-der 53 en e denet pieket a e MINeiCius A GREAT NEM CAMPNGN. 1R.I)
COMUNES THE MOTHPRS/ violence. Existing groups can find a A premature entry into the ANL would prevent our movement making a distinctive contribution - trying to experienoe of the last few years' work should be the major aim of the National Committee once Some comtades are concerned with the sexist appeal of fascism. Others ami-racimn racner thar answer. physical confrontation of the Nr i down by ANL memhers anxious for respectability Hopefully a national body should be able to encompass all shades of opinion. In the immediate future it co-ordinate an Intervention into the forthcoming obsious It would be useful to point to the minimum progranuse passed by the June conference, which anticaica now locany co semenica! general positions of principie (such as opposition to immigration controls). The local committees could help Nt the by utilising their democratic national game: committee would also be an example Finaily approaches of reconciliation must he made to the disaffected ceither side must be allowed to parade on their high ANTI-FASCIST JONES'S report of the ARAFCC conference (B June) was Tat too diplomatic for the apti-racist The purpose of this conference was • to unify and consolidate part of a national anti-racist leadership, Yet many delegates seemed oblivious to the opportunity. Acting as if the entire movement were present in the hall, they made 'position" statements like hunger rioters scrabbling for a This behaviour was sectarian, not in itself, but in its blinkered view of how to build a mass movement, Tac idea that this can he done on full AEISILICHIES leads the practice to the movement's disinteWhile it's true that both sexism and racism divide the working class, it's self-defeating to imagine they will its main economic SOCIALIST CHALLENGE EVENTS Men Workura cantrol Vonue C-om.No cn 01-360-8250 Socialiet aner oiem an 2. msi, Olicrd Rob HACKNEY Sociallet Challenis FOnE Selle EApe and Sau-das, Slamlera YORKSHIRE rORK Sopialiet Challenge is en mal , 5 July. Why t tre Tork Cammuniy 5 fical status tor CUP-DAN RY LOAF-•* • ANI both be defcated by a single blow, ar the idea of an anti-racit/ant-sexist campaign imples There's bound to be tension in trying to maintain the unity of th WLM, fighting sexiim and building a united anti-racist campaign, because the latter will reflect sexism as it gets implanted in the labour movement. But we should all be aware that the time-honoured activity of exploding contradictions does not always have positive results.
So we must ask these comrades: where do you think the trades council delegates went when they walked our? To raise our demands is the unions, the factories their families? Or back ro the reformist leaders who we know spell ultimate disaster? To all bur the wilfully blind, the answer is A collective discussion now can create a united campaign neitber incorporates nor submerges all political differences; but this will only happen if cradicate the practice ol using OCHITULT quite such anproductive polarisation — he it in a mectine, or hetween revolutionary organisations.
Splitting peas, is, after all, a mue's JOHN THACKARA (North London)
IN HIS article (8 June) on the recent coup Iran's neighbour, Afghanistan. Tarig Ali poinled out bow this event is bound to bring nothing hut trouble for the Shiab and his repressive regime. This is excellent news.
But what is absolutely incredible about Tariq's picce is the way in which he played down involvement in Afghanistan. Instead be waxed lyrical about the Afghan revolution perhaos provioe yer agair originality of the historical process".
Is he serious" Docu't be realise That Afghaniitan is a landlocked inu malt commie suppler and supplier NORTH EAST Homing SOUTH WEST 0 res H-S OS.u UDP ISPECIALLY DIRECTED AT THE OF CHOCOLATES WITH customer. That the Soviet Union provides the Alghan army with nios of its weaponry — and most of tb uniforined coup Moscow-trained. That even before the revolution, Afghanistan under the old autocracy was effectively within the Soviet sphere of influence With the Soviet Union demonstrating its strength all over Alrica locs Tarig really believe that th Kremlin leaders nationally independent regime to emerge on the Sovier doorstep?
This pessimistic. But socialists must try k be realistic abour the chances o revolurionary success in countrics strong countervalling Tuencer operale from within and good ilustration -WEHT revolutionacy Portugal. During 1975 teslist bas been European BIoLy carried away in delight, only to b stopped dead in theit tracks by th Noverber 1975 counter-coup.
In a revolutionary situation thene are several general lessons applicable int a wide variety of situations, lessons which possess more vahdity than the local traditions of the COUAIE. However mechanismis for dating, and wielding state power have net been seriously looked inta since Lenin's time Situations Portugues be studied as closely as the Bolshevik seizure of power in order lo more clearly identily what can go wrong in a national revolutionary situation Obviously Tariq and the left generally have not done this, or he would not lave headed his Portogal — on the Shahr's Doorstep?
To forget about the cahadle and to focus instesd On the carlier optini stic revolution is to iscrease the chance of the discascrous Portuguese scenario Ca.CT re-occurring elsewbere in she near future.
TOMMY CHESEE Soviet ARIO ALIS articie oo Atgbanist problemas involved Marxian analysıs The 'national democratie. We have heard such claims from Communist parties HUDDERSFIELD Socialist Challenge In te Piazary Saturcays 1am 12e DURHAM Sociallet Chailange Suppar 10512) 29057, Them, pRose Fele salurgay THAM PION in Calleng PORTSMDUTH Socialiet Lsallenge suppore leaders were even Ip develop it.
explasive.
regime has will allow Marxist working class, capitalists ail letter may sound prell of CaTH Bas IONi lacking socialisis were tives to issue"
particulat the actual seizing. consolineighbouring c rero ution ol 1975 should TALLIL imperialist The articie: Anotbe eventual plase the CALLAGHER (Man- Afghanisten -strategista.
pose the termis of defines itsell as SCOTLAND -Sr imstinEaCEH HIM HUCE IS ATHCUOnOU rand conact Socialist Challeng Bccks. 61 auser st 129 74811.
Wide cange al Fourth Inlemations Socialist Challenge PEe Coog 1 031 300 816 DUNDEE: Intermat or abmul Socialis ChH nue acNms lc By Slascom, voo in SC sale cutside Bosta iserar SOUTH EAST COLCHESTER Socialist Challonge before — it means relormism in a backward country while attempting to maintain a capilalist economy, Bus the implications of this policy for a country Like Afghanistan are For example, The Guardian reported that the new frozen prices while pranting wage rises as high as 40 per cent. In the absence of' a massive rise In the productivity of labour, which could only be gor by atacking the this means that windraa comunodities from the market The regime is trying 1o mee demand by releasing goods held in bond by the previous regute Tor tax evasion. But such makeshift solutions then we wil hear aid acustions fri thinuner 'Communist CTE TIUHS mismanagement' from ics enemies.
All this will be rak ing place logerher with reststanoe by the landowniers te T8о TOr, D CeapIoUs csers (bourgeois) equality Joi women, not to menton the "nomad The regine miast cither retreat and be overthrown hy imperialist hacked reaction or mobilise the masses lo carry out the reforms, nationalise tlte private capitalist sector (such as it exists) and atlempl to plan Soviet Union This of actie al de opai reaclict he powers and their reactionary allies in the region whol question curries interesting implications not anly for Afghanistan and its neighbours hut for the whole of Soviec/imperialist relations. It might clarity the Sovier Union's world strategy.
No wonder Carter has boen playing it cool, While goins over to a verba DECUENC UI BOICHE aNd Erbiopia, there has been no word of -yet it can't be far fran the thoughts DE US and British LIONEL HOLLEY (Bath) An caerientos as swiie e nge af contr litions as Dosinle. length of lettees printed will normally he kept down to 400 words. All lellers may be cat at the Editor's discretion.
BECHTON Saluleac alenge Sale ULICHTOM SuCielsl Challengi Road.
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----- pull-quotes -----
views on anti-racist conference...
н 2ºE pub. Spee. Leroo"
..and two on Afghanistan
BREAD AND ROSES!