The government actuary predicts a doubling of cohabitation in 20 years. Children with fighting parents, children in care or brought up cripplingly poor are at higher risk. All that matters is how many more or fewer children are in danger of serious emotional or physical deprivation - whatever their families. Four out of 10 marriages end in divorce. But the government's rosy picture of ideal marriage never links these two together.
Single motherhood is often a cause to celebrate, an escape forbidden in the bad old days.
Here's the reality check. What Families Want. Real families said it was after-school clubs, parks, streets closed to traffic and, above all, childcare. No one asked government for help with their marriage. There is no electoral mileage in marriage.