This is a similar argument to that which says that the laddette culture of young women drinking and fighting is representative of a move to equality in society.I have worked as a childcare social worker for 10 years and am well placed to notice changes in social behaviour. At what age do you stop becoming a child, and should similar preparation be made for drug and alcohol misuse aged 10-11?He also makes the point that women are becoming more active in accessing pornography and this is cited as a progressive step. However his central theme appears to be that internet pornography is an unstoppable technological force and society needs to prepare children for it from an early age. Slovenia will be the first member of the new EU 10 to join the euro.Why does The Independent, so painfully politically correct so much of the time, feel the need to be so belittling and offensive towards these countries?GEORGE TURNERJOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYSCHOOL OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES BOLOGNA, ITALY Sexual violence in a culture of porn Sir: Johann Hari has written a very thoughtful article (“Internet porn has transformed teenage life”, 29 May). It characterised the former states of Yugoslavia as tiny exotic countries racked with violence and intrigue.Croatia, one of these states, is a modern dynamic country currently negotiating entry into the EU and whose beautiful coastline is enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. In the event that a patient overcomes the hurdle of consultant choice in a distant hospital there is the major problem of aftercare should complications ensue after surgery when the patient has returned home.Most patients would rather forego “choice” and settle for surgery in a good, clean well-staffed local hospital.BEN ROSSBURGESS HILL, WEST SUSSEX Belittling image of Europe’s new states Sir: As someone who was born in Croatia I was deeply offended by your article “The lingering death of Yugoslavia”. The patient’s name will then be added to the shortest waiting list, if the consultant is willing to accept the referral.

The referring GP may know nothing about that consultant, in particular why so few patients are referred thus keeping the waiting list low. A patient needing surgery must be offered a list of four or five hospitals, often many miles from home. These 52 boys are feted as the Uganda Martyrs and the Church of Uganda is founded upon their martyrdom.Because of this homosexuality is seen as an icon of oppression by many Africans and abhorred for this reason.THE REV MUGERWA SMITH WILKINSONSTOCKPORT, GREATER MANCHESTER The fantasy of choice in the NHS Sir: “Choice” in the NHS is a fantasy (Letters, 24 May). When the boys refused the advances of the Kabaka he had them wrapped in faggots of wood and burnt. These representatives were 52 wives, 52 advisers and 52 page boys. The page boys were provided for the Kabaka’s sexual gratification.

Homosexuality was a normal activity in Buganda society.The British missionaries taught the page boys that homosexuality is a sin. Had I not had sufficient funds at my disposal to buy another ticket, her hopes to get English-language training and, subsequently, a better job in her own country would have been dashed.DR WILLIAM HURLEYLONDON W8 Uganda’s early Christian martyrs Sir: Your article re “Bishop left stranded in Kenya over gay rights” (25 May) gives the impression that Archbishop Nzimbi is homophobic.We need to appreciate the reason for the East African reaction to the ordination of gay priests.The first missionaries to central East Africa, now named Uganda after the predominant tribe in the area, were Alexander Mackay, a Scottish Presbyterian, and Bishop Hannington of the Church of EnglandThe Kabaka [king] of the Buganda was attended by representatives from the 52 clans of the tribe. Although I subsequently obtained the relevant file from the Home Office and also sent them copies of Miss A’s visa records from her passport, the Home Office never apologised for this appalling mistake.Miss B came back to this country two months later, after I assisted her to obtain entry clearance in Santiago (which she did not legally require). Her stay had been entirely legitimate and she had duly applied to the Home Office for the appropriate visa extensions.The IO insisted that if Miss A had been in the UK the Home Office would have a record but they had none I was in effect accused of lying. Additionally the IO refused to believe that the niece’s sister (Miss A) had ever been in this country whereas, in fact, she had spent two-and-a-half years here staying at my home and learning English. She was harshly put back on a plane on the same day.Although Miss B’s uncle and I spoke with the Immigration Officer (IO) on the airport internal telephone, she never asked to see us or allowed me to demonstrate that I had more than adequate financial means to support this person in this country. On arrival at Heathrow at the end of March last year, she was refused entry despite having adequate funds and my letter of invitation.

This is the side that I have also unfortunately experienced.I agreed to be the sponsor of Miss B, the niece of a friend who was coming from Chile to study English in this country. Give Mr Loach a chance.MICHAEL BORLONDON W2 Easy targets for deportation Sir: On 18 May you reported on the harsh side of the British immigration service and how they appear to pick on easy targets. This reminds me of those who criticised the Michael Collins film for its “bias” on the basis of hearsay, and kept quiet afterwards. It’s difficult enough to get an alternative to Hollywood on at one’s local screen.