John Parry (The Argus, November 30) was spot-on about the important role played by Mary Whitehouse from the Sixties almost up to her death.

She had amazing courage and persistence, backed by strong Christian principles and a concern for young people from her time as a teacher.

There are many men, some in the Church, who should have spoken out against the permissiveness of the age but preferred to hide behind her apron strings, allowing her to take most of the flak.

Her warnings against sex, violence and bad language on TV have been amply justified. We can see for ourselves the decline in family life.

It seems we now live in a country where lust has taken the place of love. We have co-habitation instead of marriage, self is put before duty to others, the abortion figures are a scandal and women are left to bring up children alone with little fatherly influence, often resulting in ill-disciplined and under-achieving children.

If Mary were still alive, her advice would be the same - that young people should show grater moral strength and hang on to their virginity.

Girls should understand that no man is worth living with unless he loves you enough to propose marriage. Have a proper engagement so you can get to know each other before taking the plunge. In your marriage, put God first, children second and yourselves last. Finally, completely ignore the advice of the agony aunts in the womens' magazines and teen comics.

-Alan Nunn, Pipers Close, Hove