Letter: Woodward trial

Sir: Society need not recognise the dedicated mother only by applauding her for staying at home (Letters, 1 November). It can also recognise her by giving her more support. It can acknowledge its own responsibility to children and their primary carers through reorganisation of the workplace so that carers are not driven to stark choices, and may meet their obligations to both their families and their employers without being exploited. With a fairer system in the workplace, children will suffer fewer disadvantages.

Dr VANESSA MARTIN

Egham, Surrey