Woman's Hour - 30/03/2009

Presented by Jane Garvey. Where to find happiness in difficult times? Jane discusses this with writer, TV producer and director James Runcie, Director of the Institute of Ideas Claire Fox, and writer, psychotherapist and political activist Derek Draper. Author Geraldine Bedell joins Jane to discuss how mothers handle teenage homosexuality, how to cope with prejudice, and whether anybody will read her book 'The Gulf Between Us' in the Middle East. Jane Garvey is joined by Minister of State for Pensions and the Ageing Society Rosie Winterton MP, Policy Manager for Help the Aged Anna Pearson and a member of the Women's Pensions Network to discuss reforms to the basic state pension. Janine Di Giovanni, an author and journalist based in Paris, gave birth to her son in a Paris hospital; she was disturbed and positively amazed, in equal amounts, by the post-natal care she received. Jane is joined by Janine and London- based French photographer, journalist and mother of two Elisabet Blanchet. Including drama: Daunt and Dervish.