For the past few weeks, there were many reports on “Pillow Angel”, a nine-year-old disabled girl called Ashley X. Drastic surgery were done on her as ordered by her parents to keep her small for her entire life. The parents claimed that the surgery was done so that they can take care of Ashley better and easier. However, many people disagreed, and this had caused an ethical storm over the issue.



Hormone therapy and removal of breast buds were done on Ashley to prevent her from the possibility of sexual abuse by her future caregiver, as claimed by her parents. I must say that I find their reasoning extremely disgusting. Which parents in this world will bear to do such an inhuman thing to their children?



Although Ashley’s parents claimed that they have valid reasons for why they are doing this, but I feel that the medical procedures are more for their convenience than for the benefits of Ashley. The hormone therapy did on Ashley stunt her growth, keeping her child-like for the rest of her life. This makes it easy for Ashley’s parents to take care of her, as she is easy to handle.



The medical procedures have also violates Ashley’s human rights and robs her of the chance to “grow up”. There are many disabled people in this world, and many of them have lived their lives to the fullest. Ashley’s parents by having done such a decision to make her ‘small’, has already decided that her life was ‘finished’, that she has no more hope.







 

The family plays a critical role in our society? Do you agree?

I strongly agree with the statement that the family plays a critical role in our society.

When we are at a young age, our family inculcates the right values in us and make sure that we know the right from the wrong. They teach us honesty, manners, respect and other important values. May I ask, who in this society will make sure that we learn this important and crucial values beside our family members themselves? This has already ensured that the society is kept in an orderly manner.

Family also provides a supporting role in our society. When we encounter obstacles and difficulties, family is there to lend a listening ear to listen to our trouble and to provide advice. They also encourage and motivates us not to give up, but to continue with life no matter what trouble we are in. Family hence serves as a pillar of strength you can rely on when you are in need of help.

Family also provides a form of economic support. Our working parents help us to pay the bills, our school fees, and for everything we need. They support us economically, ensuring that we get what we needs. They provide us with education, making sure that we grow up to be educated, so that we can find jobs easily. Education also teaches us knowledge and further inculcates manners in us. Without education, one may spiral down into a life that is filled with drugs and alcohol. One will then become a useless person that will not contribute to the society.

In our society today, there are many bad influences such as drugs, sex and alcohol. People who are not close to their family are often easily influenced into these bad practices because they have no one to show them the right path. If an individual is close to his own family, he is less prone to these tribulations, as the family will already have inculcate the right values into him.

However, friends also play a critical role in our society. As students, most of our time is spent in schools, and little time is spent at home. Friends will then play a more important role as you spent more time with them. They will then take on the role of a family member, providing you with laughter, love, care and concern. Without friends, one's life will be bleak, with no one to walk with you through difficult times, and no one to share with you the joy of success.

In conclusion, I feel that the family plays a critical role in our society, with our friends as the secondary component. Without either of them, the life of our young generation will not be complete.