Debate help!

[Miss X]

So... The powers that be have decided it is somehow necessary that all post grad nursing students at my uni should master the art of debate. Boooo.

Anyway, unfortunately for me, I have to do mine on Tuesday and I have to argue for something I really do not believe in. I'm having big trouble thinking of things I can say to convince my peers, and I already know my opposition have two great speeches planned. My debate partner is also a total idiot who just stares down my top when I try to talk to him about formulating a good argument.

So I was basically wondering, if I give you all the question, if anyone can think of some good topics or arguments I'll totally love you forever and stuff!

The question is: "Families and not the state have responsibility to care for their frail elderly relatives."

I have to argue for this statement, when in reality I believe the state should look after the old people! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Oooh maybe I should add, the state does currently provide money (state pension and carer costs) in the UK, so people are used to it.

:heart:

[Edited on 17-7-05 by Miss X]

[Artha]

Arguments you might want to consider:
Family will know the history of a person and the best way of dealing with them.
State care of the elderly raises taxes, and nobody likes taxes! (Note: Not valid in Sweden, where they love them.)

I'm not sure if there's a similar organization in the UK, but there's one in the US called Hospice which provides care at the home for terminally ill patients. You might want to look into it to see if there's anything you can use.

It's not the government's responsibility to care for people.
My money is mine, not for people to stupid or lazy to think ahead.


the two easiest ones i could think of.

[HarmNone]

You might want to bring out the point that elderly people do best in surroundings they have come to know, and with people who love them, and whom they love. Most are much happier, and healthier, when they can remain with their families.

[longshot]

Say that with all the lovely immigrants shitting out kids, it's too expensive for the state to care.

Plus, they might have a religion which forces unnecessary burdens on the system by discrimminating against what kind of doctor sees them based on their sex.

Also note that they have not effectively paid into the system.

Conclude that if you want to have five wives and birth an entire baseball league, it's your responsibility to take care of them.

[Ravenstorm]

"Families and not the state have responsibility to care for their frail elderly relatives."

I find the topic ambiguous. Define 'care'. Is it to pay the bills without any government aid? Is it to arrange for the actual medical treatments and nursing supervision themselves? Or provide the actual supervision of the elderly themselves?

Raven

[Edited on 7-17-2005 by Ravenstorm]

[Miss X]

Well, I am taking it as meaning carer costs, paying for nursing homes and nursing care, medical treatements etc.

[HarmNone]

Ish. That's a horrible stance to have to support. The elderly do best at home, but many families certainly need financial support to pull that off. :(

[Edaarin]

Old people aren't really people, that's why we have nursing homes.