Sexual mores

JOYCE McMillan's Opinion piece ended in a rather pessimistic way by suggesting that we either "sell or we die". I agreed with her title to the article: "Protecting our children means we must stop using sex to sell". Between both of these points she indicated a number of opinions and issues which seemed fair. However, I cannot see how she got to her conclusion from her introduction and the title.

In the middle of her article she appears to have the same starting point as Conservative Party leader David Cameron when she says: "Let us not deny the extent to which we have all been changed …by the steady commercialisation of aspects of our lives." However, she also claims that politicians are unable or unwilling to lead in the activities of commerce and merely follow behind.

McMillan also does not give the impression that she is confident that Cameron will be able to deliver on his desire to mend "broken Britain" or even I imagine on his hope to turn it into the most family-friendly country in the world. But surely he is doing what we expect leaders in a democracy to do and that is to set out a direction and lead?

The journalist also did not share much confidence in our ability to lead either when she said that we would give in to the "pester power of a mouthy six-year-old". That is to assume all consumers are the same, but I cannot imagine a devout Muslim, Jew or Christian giving in to such pressure over such moral issues like the one she discussed.

In other words, if we are given the support and the correct leadership, people will act with leadership also.

I think this attitude is more hopeful and I am sure there are practical steps that our politicians can take.

BRIAN McDERMOTT

Jane Rae Gardens

Clydebank