In this episode, Michael Taylor and William Clouston discuss the causes and impacts of the UK’s epidemic of family breakdown.
The IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities states that parental separation is more frequent in poorer households and can further entrench existing inequalities through adverse effects on parents and children. The proportion of British children who have experienced family breakdown by age 16-17 grew from 9% of those born in 1958 to 43% of those born in 2002.
The SDP’s New Declaration asserts that a stable and secure family life is the foundation of society and critical to raising responsible citizens. The defence and support of family life lies at the heart of all SDP policies, particularly on industry, economics, welfare and housing.
William and Michael discuss the relative importance of economic and cultural factors in driving increasing levels of family breakdown, and argue that the problem can only really be addressed through a nation-building approach.
Links
SDP New Declaration
https://sdp.org.uk/new-declaration/
SDP Policies on Family
https://sdp.org.uk/policies/family/
Institute of Fiscal Studies Deaton Review of Inequalities: Families and Inequalities https://ifs.org.uk/inequality/families-and-inequalities/
