Traditional family values are being eroded
The breakdown of the conventional family unit has been further emphasised by one sociologist who claims many single parents are now making a "lifestyle choice" to rely on state benefits.
It acts as another demonstration of how traditional values endorsed by the church, such as marriage, are continually put to one side within modern society.
Geoff Dench spoke of the increasing dependence of single parents on the state rather than a male partner during a talk on family policy. He said: "It seems that lone motherhood is less a result of relationship breakdown, more a lifestyle choice. "And the existence of state benefits as a source of economic security seems to be encouraging young mothers not to bother with male resident partners."
Mr Dench quoted figures compiled in the British Social Attitudes survey which show that the number of single mothers in the country has risen from 15 per cent in 1986 to 57 per cent 20 years later.
Earlier this month, the Valuation Agency published new figures that further highlighted Britain's moral decline, with the country's lap-dancing clubs, casinos and betting shops on the rise compared to dwindling numbers of libraries and schools.
Posted by Tim Pearson
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