HAPPY FAMILIES?

Capitalism distorts every human relationship. Even the tightly knit family unit, which you would imagine to be a bulwark against the ravages of capitalism, is not immune. A two year study conducted by the National Centre for Social Research and King's College, London has come up with some horrendous statistics. "Elderly people must have the same legal safeguards as children, experts said yesterday after research found that 350,000 pensioners were abused in their own homes by carers last year. ...However there was also widespread evidence of theft, fraud and misuse of power of attorney by other family members." (Times, 15 June) RD