HOW TO SURVIVE THE 21ST CENTURY

The second episode of our three-part guide to the future considers our prospects at a more human level. What will happen to the family, now that fewer and fewer people aspire to traditional ideals of monogamy? What sort of education will our children ne...

Polly Toynbee
Saturday 01 April 1995 23:02 BST
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n In 1981, there were 7.1 marriages for every 1,000 people; in 1992, 5.4 per 1,000.

n In 1981, there were 2.8 divorces for every 1,000 people; in 1992, 3 per 1,000.

n In 1961, there were 27,000 divorces in the UK; in 1971, 79,200; in 1992, 175,100.

n 30 per cent of single women aged between 25 and 34 are cohabiting.

n In 1991, there were 9.3 conceptions for every 1,000 women under the age of 16.

n In 1963, roughly one live birth in 20 occurred outside marriage. In 1993, the figure was nearly one in three.

n It is thought that around three of every four births outside marriage in 1993 took place within stable relationships

n In 1991, 21 per cent of families with dependent children were single- parent families. In 1971, the figure was 9 per cent.

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