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Mary Roach; Neglected Children; Baby Girls in China

Jane Garvey talks to popular science writer Mary Roach about why we should be more interested in the digestive system.

We discuss how life has changed for women and girls in china. Popular science writer Mary Roach talks about her book Gulp on the mysteries of our digestive system. We ask the significance of Ed Miliband appointing the former childcare minister Lucy Powell to a key role in Labour's general election campaign. With ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children in Need this Friday, we examine how widespread child neglect is and what more we could do to stop it? And, we hear about the involvement of Queen Caroline in the establishment of the first foundling hospital in the eighteenth century.

Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Ruth Watts.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Ed Miliband's 'Machester Mum' MP Lucy Powell

    The Times' Rachel Sylvesteron on Manchester MP Lucy Powell

    Duration: 06:18

  • Women in China

    From 2010, the journalist Xinran, and then The Guardian's Tania Branigan with an update

    Duration: 12:52

  • "A Round of Applause for the Human Rectum"

    Mary Roach on the mysteries of our digestive system

    Duration: 07:34

  • Queen Caroline and the first Foundling Hospital

    Known today as Coram, thier Social History Edtor, Carol Harris, on the hospital’s legacy

    Duration: 06:21

  • Childhood neglect

    The Woman’s Hour drama this week highlights the plight of children neglected by a parent

    Duration: 10:13

Xinran and Women in China

Xinran was born in Beijing and brought up during the Cultural Revolution. She became a journalist and radio presenter, and is well known in China for her radio phone-in programme Words on the Night Breeze, in which she invited women to talk about their lives. In this interview from 2010 she tells the stories of the women who wrote to her to share their pain at having to give up their daughters and her own experience of China’s ‘One Child’ policy.
Tania Branigan, the Guardian's correspondent in China joins Jane to talk about the position of girls in China now.
You can find the whole of the interview with Xinran . This archive is taken from the - classic archive from the history of the programme.

Science author Mary Roach

is a popular science author who is only one of four women to have been shortlisted, for her book GULP, for the Winton Prize for Science Books, in the last 10 years. She describes herself as a ‘science-goober’ who is not usually ‘prize-winning stock’ even though she has written four bestsellers. And she’s also achieved all this without any science degree behind her.

Queen Caroline and the first Foundling Hospital

In the 18th century Queen Caroline, wife of King George II, ruled as regent on four occasions, negotiated political treaties and campaigned for the first Foundling Hospital in London. In a world run by men, Caroline used her influence to open a hospital that would cater for the most vulnerable women and children in 18th century society. The hospital continued in this role in the 20th century, with many of the young boys they cared for going on to join the front in WW1. The hospital still survives today in the form of the . Jane is joined by Carol Harris from Coram, to discuss the hospital’s legacy.

Childhood neglect

The Woman’s Hour drama ‘D for Dexter’ this week highlights the plight of children neglected by a parent. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 children have experienced neglect – either physical or emotional. The latter is especially hard to spot, experts say. Legislation currently before Parliament will introduce a new offence of emotional cruelty to children throughout England and Wales. How far will this tackle the often silent suffering of children? Joining the programme: Vivien Waterfield, from the charity, and theexpert on tackling child neglect, Chris Cuthbert.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jane Garvey
Interviewed Guest Mary Roach
Producer Ruth Watts

Broadcast

  • Mon 10 Nov 2014 10:00

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