Hi <<First Name(s)>>

Happy new year! We hope you had some great family time over the new year summer break. While you've been (hopefully) relaxing, we've been keeping an eye on some of the stories both nationally and overseas affecting families. We've also been asked to comment in the media on a couple of issues including an NZQA Scholarship exam question on the date rape drug, a family of a toddler abandoned at Auckland Work and Income office being found, and a story about a woman who donated her eggs to her mother and stepfather - making her the mother of her step-sister! The gender confusion issue continues to bubble away - as you will read below.

Below are the top stories since our last Midweek Update. There's plenty more on our website and our new Phone App (see details below). If you appreciate these newsletters, feel free to pass them on, or 'like' on our Facebook page! 
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Gender Agenda in Schools Needs to be Rejected
Family First Media Release 10 Jan 2015
Family First NZ is rejecting calls for “gender” issues to be taught in schools and says that students with gender dissatisfaction should be treated and cared for on a case-by-case basis by families in conjunction with professionals and the school.
“A child’s gender at birth is an objective biological reality, and is entirely consistent and unambiguous. The ‘gender agenda’ will simply lead to confusion in schools,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.
“The suicide death of transgender Ohio teenager Joshua (Leelah) Alcorn is a tragedy for all concerned, and we may never know the full truth of what caused his death, but it must also be remembered that some individuals have committed suicide after having sex-change surgery and coming out as the opposite of their biological sex. Their deaths are as regrettable and tragic as the death of Joshua-Leelah. Are the marchers today also marching against sex-change surgery? They may be quick to condemn Joshua’s parents but are they also marching against doctors who have either performed or recommended sex-change surgery on someone who then killed themselves because of their unhappiness with their new identity?” READ MORE
Auckland March in Support of Trans Teen - 3 News 10 Jan 2015 READ MORE

Increased Abuse of Parents a Predicted Outcome
Media Release 18 Dec 2014
Family First NZ says that the increasing level of parental abuse, especially towards mothers, is an unfortunate but expected outcome of the rise of children’s ‘rights’ and the undermining of parental authority. “This was a predicted outcome of the anti-smacking law and comes as no surprise to us. The authority of parents has been undermined by this law change, and children are now telling mum or dad they cannot touch them – even when the physical action is reasonable and appropriate to deal with the unacceptable or defiant behaviour of a child,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. READ MORE
Young Men Use Violence - Stuff Dec 18 2014 READ MORE