Broken Home "Today, 65% of children live with both birth parents, almost 25% live in lone parent families, and 10% live within a stepfamily."

- Life in the United Kingdom (Home Office publication)

Hooray sanctity of marriage! The figures above were quoted in a 2007 publication by the Home Office (which I'm currently reading for my permanent residence exam) for children and young adults under the age of 20.

Britain's result of failed marriages and/or broken homes has stared at me for the last 10 years in the form of tracksuits, pram-pushing teenagers, drunk asbos, and mini-skirt wearing 12-year olds. But sometimes the figures speak for themselves and although not necessarily a direct factor in misguided youths of today, is indicative of this country's general attitude towards marriage and family.

65% is a shocking number, to think that over 3 in 10 youths do not live with both their biological parents any longer. And that 1 in 5 live with only 1 parent. With such fantastic role models, it's no wonder they grow up with noble aspirations and a better sense than to perpetuate family dysfunction...not. It is sometimes with great dispairity to feel that marriage has been diluted to nothing more than an impulse decision that takes little more thought than what pair of expensive shoes to buy. Like a fashion statement that you think will last forever. But the harsh reality is it doesn't.  ¶ posted by Jon at 3/15/2010