The Spectator

Letters | 9 November 2017

Also: Scottish schools chaos, what to do with returning jihadis and the glories of Liverpool

issue 11 November 2017

Rules for romance

Sir: Lara Prendergast describes a floundering generation desperate for reliable love but with no real idea how to find it (‘Sexual reformation’, 4 November). Our culture has forgotten the basic principles of forming successful relationships. My daughters apply three simple guidelines on choosing boyfriends wisely. One, does he fight for you? Men’s commitment is linked to willingness to sacrifice. He needs to show that he will put himself out for you. Two, is he marriageable? I’m not saying marry straight away. But he needs to have characteristics such as kindness and generosity. And three, can he make decisions? Commit to things and stick at them? Does he decide, rather than slide? Result, four young women who are confident about their relationships and have made good choices. My guidelines for my two teenage sons? Be that man.
Harry Benson

Research Director, Marriage Foundation, Cambridge

Classroom failure

 Sir: As a fellow recent casualty of the Scottish education system I wholeheartedly agree with Madeleine Kearns’ article on its current state under the SNP (‘Class struggle’, 4 November).

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