I send the preface Antonio Sciortino (Christian Family) in the new book by Francesco Belletti (Chairman of the National Forum of Family Associations), entitled Share the Pauline Family issues you find in bookstores these days . From
or give advice to politicians or local administrators.
Capital family
If healthy, the family grows the country. And not enough crumbs Financial
In a time of crisis such as that in which we live, not only economic, but even more, ethical and moral, if there is a point where you can anchor the family. Despite all its problems, which are many. If, however, today, the country stands, we must say thanks to the family, which has been the best 'social shock absorber "of the main social and inefficiencies institutions. The family, in fact, takes care of the serious lack of jobs for young people (in six regions of Italy more than 30 percent are unemployed), takes care of people with disabilities (seven out of ten cases are paid by the family, institutional support), assists the elderly, more and more needy of attention, which once were a resource for future generations, and now weigh on household budgets.
Nevertheless, the policy ignores the family and does not recognize that public role and assistance necessary for it to best fulfill its role in the upbringing of children. I'm not a private good, but represent the future and hope of a country. The family is not asking for alms to the state or the crumbs left over from the Budget, after the politicians have divided the "treasure". It takes what is his right, as is required by our Constitution ("The Republic assists with economic measures and other provisions the formation of the family and the fulfillment of its duties, with particular consideration for large families. Protects mothers, childhood and youth, promoting the institutions necessary for that purpose, "Article 31).
Too soon, many have sounded the death knell for the family today, subject to serious conceptual and ethical attacks, and no family policies and sustained structural, that these measures are certainly not casual and sporadic, such as "bonus", "social card" or "one-off" with which the politicians think they put it in silence. Italy devoted to family policy, only 1, 1 per cent of its wealth (GDP), compared with France and Germany, which invest respectively 2.5 and 3.4 of their gross domestic product.
In a country with the lowest birth rate in the world, Italy is not able to reverse this trend, which the bishops have recently called "demographic suicide." Which runs the country to a slow but inexorable decline, with no future and hope. The pyramid population has run, terribly, reversed.
Projections statistics tell us that in 2050 the gap between the elderly and super seniors (over 85 years) will be macroscopic: nearly 21 million old and only 8 million young people. A country so can not really stand up. And then, of what our politicians are concerned, if this prospect does not seem to touch them, much less worry?
Yet the family is one of those topics that no political color. It belongs to everybody, because it is not right, or center or left. If healthy family, the country is fine. If the family grows, the more fully the country. The family has many problems, but it is not "The problem" of the country. Indeed, as shown by much research, it is a true "resort". To be rediscovered. Why invest in the family, even if it costs and it takes real money, is the best investment that the country can do. You can not say for families to spend time to restart the consumption, in their pockets if you do not leave even a penny. Is not an invention of the press, now, for not spending more to reach the third week of the month ... The family
(Belletti and he speaks in this book, referring to reports of the IFSC) is a real human, social and economical. Experience shows that, in this crisis, nations that are coming out better and before they are precisely those that have adopted structural family policy, worthy of the name.
Be it food inedible and mocked by newspapers and television, which depict a 'family of media "(the" cheerful small families enlarged where it is not clear who are the parents, brothers or uncles), by dropping the other hand, a spiral of silence about twenty million families based on marriage, the so-called traditional family is not to be scrapped. Nor is it something to do with our grandparents and the past. (...) With each passing election
politicians have promised everything and more to the family. At least in words, do not include among the costs, but among the country's resources, announcing national plans in favor of life and motherhood. They reiterated the Family Day, which brought together in Rome a million families. In fact, however, there are no concrete commitments, administrative acts and laws to improve the living conditions of families with more children and more fragile. Indeed, the IRS continues to be inequitable, because it ignores the composition of the household. With the same income, a single and a large family pay the same taxes. And this is not right. It should be a 'policy-oriented children ", with safety nets and support, which does not force women to have, dramatically, to choose between motherhood and work. (...)
Everyone talks about 'the' family and "the" family, perhaps it is time to give the word "to" the family. And most do not abuse his patience, downloading on the weights of our social malaise.
No one can replace it as a partner at the table of policy, when dealing with issues that concern it. The Forum of Family Associations (representing more than fifty agencies and organizations, including Francesco Belletti is the president) must be heard, even more, their voice in defense and in support of the family.
(...) It is time, then, to "roll up our sleeves," as Francis calls to make Belletti. It does not take sides among the "prophets of death," but among the "defenders" the family. With intelligence, tenacity and optimism. In spite of everything. We really need to 'share the family, "as the title of this fine book. And put it in the center of attention and debate in the country. Only then can we look with more hope and confidence to the future.
http://www.europaquotidiano.it/dettaglio/121325/capitale_familiare
* The author is the editor of Famiglia Cristiana "Antonio Sciortino