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More than half of all British babies 'are born out of marriage'
Last updated at 14:52pm on 14.12.07
More babies will be born outside of marriage for the first time this year since records began
More than half the babies born to British mothers this year will have been born out of marriage, shocking new figures have revealed.
The statistics are a result of the fact that marriage among Britons has slumped to its lowest levels since records began, according to new figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The figures show a steady decline in the number of Britons begin married since the 19070s when fewer than one in 10 children were born out of wedlock.
In the 1950s it was as low as just one in 20.
The overall figures for the UK are expected to pass the the halfway mark by 2012 but this is because the large number of immigrant births mask the true figure.
Nearly all births to Pakistani women and 80 per cent to Indian families are within marriage.
Once these figures are disregarded, the true state of British marriages is laid bare.
The ONS figures are a projection by the Spectator magazine based on last year's statistics with the official numbers due to be announced next May.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader said:
"We should not be surprised because for the last 20 years or more the state has connived with the metropolitan classes to tell everyone that the structure of their family does not matter in bringing up children.
"The Government has progressively removed any support for marriage, and the benefit system discriminates against couples who marry."
He added: "This is a significant social landmark but it is also a very tragic story.
"People should recognise that what has happened has done more to damage the prospects of children than at any time for more than 100 years."
The news comes on the back of ONS figures announced yesterday which predicted the UK population could reach 71million by 2031, with migrants and their UK-born children accounting for 69 per cent of that growth.
Reader views (15)
Ahh, secular sentiments at their finest. The "nuclear family" a "mid-20th century invention"? Uh huh. One can only wonder how much longer our decadent, narcissistic culture can last without imploding on itself or resisting an external force. Given our lack of moral resolve, our society lacks the central, common bonds that made it possible for our Western civilisation to survive the many attacks to its foundations, both within and without.
It's not about a piece of paper, it's about believing in something other than just you and your partner. Our jaded culture scoffs at such ideals, but there was a time that people, consciously or not, believed that when you got married, you were becoming part of something--something greater than you, given by God, that you were entrusted with your partner, blessed by God himself. Through this blessed bond, life is created and entrusted by the couple to raise and to transmit the Judeo-Christian values were once our society's foundation.
No society based upon secular humanism can hope to survive a world just waiting for an unbelieving West to finally utter its last collective breath.
- Steve, Irvine, CA, USA, 16/12/2007 01:24
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I'm sorry to hear that. Considering that the U.K. is our mother country I wonder how long before we have to deal with the same bad news.
- John Frilando, Long Island, NY, USA, 15/12/2007 23:36
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How utterly tragic for the children of Britain. Way too easy to blow out of a relationship without marriage. One more step toward the demise of a once-proud, exemplary nation.
- Todd, Manchester, NH, USA, 15/12/2007 22:28
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What are we becoming in the UK? Once we were great, are we now nothing more than a home for refugees, illegal aliens, criminals, loose women and men with no honour or commitment? Are we just making conscious decisions to forget what’s important and forget our culture and honour? Marriage should be a pinnacle of life, children a heritage with history and commitment. It’s a fact we educate for every vice and deviant behaviour that’s conceivable, yet we do not educated, support, respect or honour marriage. Our society is far worse for this loss and it’s doubtful it will ever recover. It’s all very sad.
- Tim, Liverpool, 15/12/2007 20:37
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Charlie of Soho wrote: "The nuclear family was a mid-20th century invention." But that's not true. The nuclear family can be traced back to ancient Egypt. The "trinity" concept of Christianity is partially based on the structure of the nuclear family.
- Nex Horus, Glastonbury, 15/12/2007 20:27
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Marriage requires a sense of responsility. Living together two people
can simply walk away. Or perhaps have other partners from time to
time. I think the mentality of living together comprises of having all
the benefits of enjoying togetherness without being responsible to
your partner. Basically, a selfishness of I want it all but don't want
the attachments. Marriage requires two people more thoughful
planning for a lifetime together resulting in a serious decision.
Living together is just a spur of the moment thing that is probably
more sexual in its basis of existence instead of real love.
It is a sad commentary since it happens in so many countries. Marriage
was orignally a Holy union. Living together is a rebellious union which
has no holiness in it nor any future of any real oneness or real love.
Living together is based upon Me and want I want and if I don't get
what I want then I walk because I can. No attachments!
- Samuel, Reno Neveda USA, 15/12/2007 18:17
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Everyone knows that single parent families are better for children. Just look at the American inner cities where 70% of children are born out of wedlock. Why should a woman have all her children by one man when she can have her children fathered by several different men? Why should a man have all of his children by one woman when he can have several partners carry his children? Diversity is always better. Iain Duncan Smith needs to get with the times.
- Paolo, Toronto, Canada, 15/12/2007 17:58
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The nuclear family is most certainly not a mid-20th Century invention. It has been the foundation of civilization since God created Adam and Eve.
Definition: One man, married to one woman, raising their own children by blood or adoption.
This is the best way to raise kids to be healthy and well-adjusted. Anything else is imperfect, and an increase in "alternate arrangements" is damaging to society.
- Carrie Rostollan, Auburn, MI, USA, 15/12/2007 16:21
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As an attorney, I often see the sad results of couples who have children sans marriage. That little piece of paper is what mandates responsibility, something that people who don't bother to get married yet have children rarely have. It's so easy to just walk away, leaving the children to fend for themselves in many cases. Here in the US, grandparents are often left to raise the children their own irresponsible children have produced.
- William, Highland Village, TX, 15/12/2007 13:50
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Wow! I don't know whether it is more shocking or more sad. Sad I guess. Marriage is a gift from God and it is meant to bring stability to the family. The purpose of marriage is oneness and unity. It is two people becoming one. It comes with privileges and responsibilities. The Creator knows what is best. The family is the most important social unit in any country and when it suffers, the country too will eventually suffer. It is sad to see how so many people think that marriage is a burden when it really is a blessing - if we follow the Creator's recipe for it. But we want to do it our way. Unfortunately, it won't only be the couple that suffers the consequences. Our children will also suffer from our actions. I will be lambasted as being old fashioned, but not all change is good. There is a reason God created marriage and we would do well to listen to His wisdom. There are a growing number of people who don't even give God's Word a second thought these days. How foolish! Somehow we feel we have the freedom to live our lives however we want. We like this freedom and don't want to give it up. But at the same time, we still want the protection and blessings that God's principles bring. We can't have it both ways. It is true that you can't have your cake and eat it too. Fortunately, God is loving and gracious to us and willing to forgive all who call upon Him.
- Jim May, Tokyo, Japan, 15/12/2007 12:14
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The high rate of illegitimacy is a side effect of the rejection of the Christian faith. It's a sorry reality and I still pray for an awakening in Britain as well as in the U.S.
- Mary Contrary, Oregon USA, 15/12/2007 06:49
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I don't understand why this statistic is so 'shocking'. My partner and I made a conscious decision not to get married as we see it as nothing more than a piece of paper. How can this make our relationship 'better'? I'm sure our daughter is more interested in having a loving family unit than whether her parents have bought a marriage certificate. There are probably thousands of families like us. Iain Duncan Smith's comments are utterly ridiculous. Get with the programme Dunc.
- Sarah Kennedy, Windsor, 14/12/2007 14:30
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The nuclear family was a mid-20th century invention, and it's passing simply means that it's no longer a useful or appropriate structure.
- Charlie, Soho, 14/12/2007 11:07
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One reason for this is that there is no longer a financial incentive to get married. The married couples allowance was taken away a few years ago.
Maybe the Europeans apparent relaxed attitude to sex is another reason.
I can only see the problem getting worse.
- Peter, Bideford, UK, 13/12/2007 22:58
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It's sad to see the nuclear family disappearing in some countries.
- Kathleen, Connecticut, USA, 13/12/2007 22:13
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