There are 4.7 million families in Australia. In modern Australia, of the total number of families, only 1,908,000 conform to the profile of married mother and father with dependent children. That is approximately 40 per cent of all families. There are 344,600 couples living in de facto relationships. I do not see this as a sign of impending disaster or an indication of the breakdown of our society.
All families are normal, no matter what their make-up.
Love and mutual nurturing of its members is the determinant of whether a family exists, not whether it conforms to a stereotype. I view the changes happening within the family as a positive step. Individuals are changing the family to better cater to their needs and the needs of their family. This is a sign of a healthy society. Men have the opportunity for greater diversity in their lifestyles as well, by taking more part domestically and by opening up emotionally and having closer contact both physically and emotionally with their spouse and children.