Divided families

Two weeks ago, a mainland mother was given a suspended sentence after she overstayed her visa because her husband was sick and she was worried about her children.

Today, a 15-month-old girl fights for her life after falling from a window when her father left her in the care of siblings while he was washing the children's clothes. Her mother, like so many mainland women, sneaked into the SAR to give birth. She was repatriated when the child was two months old.

Of 20,178 illegal immigrants caught in 1996, 14 per cent were pregnant women from the mainland, most of whom leave their children behind when they return. In the shambles which passes for immigration policy, such cases are commonplace.

Because of the chaotic system, Hong Kong is storing up a costly social problem.

Apart from the unnecessary burden on the taxpayer in supporting fit young men who give up work to raise a family, there is the question of possible long-term effects on the children. Babies have one fundamental need: maternal care. No matter how devoted a father may be, he is no substitute for a mother during a child's infancy. Children raised in split families often develop emotional problems and the lack of adequate supervision can lead to delinquency in later years.

It does not take a child psychologist to realise the ideal family set-up involves two parents, with at least one, usually the father, free to work to better their livelihood. The stress on women is equally severe. They are frequently driven to sneak in to nurse sick children. Corrupt officials and gangs will help, for the right fee.