Parental advisory

I SHARE the concern expressed (Letters, 21 February) over the Children and Young People’s Bill. One aspect which has not received attention is the record of public agencies in this field up to the present time.

The state has proven a suspect custodian of children and young people in the past and the latest proposals do not inspire confidence. Was it not the case that those awful tragedies where children have suffered at the hands of their parents were known to the statutory agencies, and indeed were in many cases receiving support from them?

How then can further eroding the responsibilities of parents and diluting resources across the entire population ensure better outcomes for children?

It is easy to foresee that as experience of this legislation develops further, intrusion will be called for and justified by vested interests, pointing the way to children effectively being the property of the state and the role of parents marginalised.

Douglas robin

Rannoch Road

Kilmalcolm

With the passage of the named person plan (“Holyrood brings in new laws for child protection”, 20 February), every child in Scotland is now in care.

True, because of the shortage of residential facilities and foster carers, the children’s breeders and domestic servants (formerly known as “parents”) retain physical custody, but only as long as they faithfully and diligently do whatever they are told to by state agents, who are the children’s true guardians.

As a result, we’re told, Scotland will be the best place in the world to grow up. It will also be the worst place in the world to be a parent. Can you perhaps detect a certain asymmetry here?

katherine perlo

High Street

Prestonpans