British society dramatically changing: 25% of children are in single-parent families

The number of lone mothers bringing up children has tripled since the 1970s, and a quarter of British children now grow up in a single-parent family (predominantly with their mother).

Marriage rates have dropped from 480,000 in 1972 to just 284,000 last year.

Divorce levels are almost at 2 out of every 3 marriages.

Cohabitation (living together outside of the traditional marriage) has risen from 12% to 24%.

Adding strain to both traditional and new expressions of the ‘family unit’ is the fact that, primarily for financial reasons, children are staying longer in the parental home.

When they do move out, typically some time in their 20s, they can afford only smaller properties, usually flats, which can lead to disputes with neighbours due to living in more confined living spaces.

The number of men and women between the ages of 25 and 44 living alone has doubled in the past 20 years.

This can lead to a lack of community and a breakdown of trust.

A BBC article concludes on this issue:

Britain is not alone in seeing family breakdown and social isolation but it is as acute here as almost anywhere and arguments over the causes and the consequences have made this increasingly political territory.

Read