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Gasparovicova: Too Much Focus on Registered Same-sex Partnerships
Sunday 22 August 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, August 22 (TASR) - The number of children becoming addicted to drugs every year is alarming, said Slovak First Lady Silvia Gasparovicova in a wide-ranging exclusive interview for TASR on Sunday.
Gasparovicova thinks the possibility of decriminalisation of marijuana (part of coalition Freedom and Solidarity/SaS party's programme) should be reconsidered. She said she understands that young people have the need to try new things. "They have received freedom; but negative aspects come along with this," she said, adding that one small experience can have big consequences.
The First Lady claimed her generation is not thrilled about this trend. According to her, children have to be motivated so they don't even want to try drugs. "Compared to western countries, we are really behind in (providing) extra-curricular activities for youths," she explained.
At the moment, Gasparovicova thinks there is an unnecessarily strong focus on the introduction of registered same-sex partnerships, which, along the decriminalisation of marijuana, is put forward by SaS. The wife of Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic thinks there is no need to adopt any special legislation, since people in such partnerships are able to deal with their property and other rights through various existing laws. At the same time, she does not agree with the possibility of a same-sex couple being allowed to adopt a child. "Every child has the right to grow up in a traditional family with a father and a mother. Even in orphanages, they are trying to raise them as people who will be able to make a traditional family," said Gasparovicova.
The First Lady said she will hold cross her fingers for the new Government so that their policies will have positive feedback from the public. "During the (general election) campaign there were big changes announced but they have been significantly reduced," said Gasparovicova.
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