Father leaves for work in the morning after breakfast. The two children take the bus to school, and mother stays home cooking and cleaning until father and the kids return home in the evening. This is the traditional picture of a happy family living in Britain. But is it true today?

The answer is no! The past 20 years have seen enormous¹ changes in the lives and structure² of families in Britain.

The biggest change has been caused bydivorce. As many as 2 out of 3 marriages now end in divorce³, leading to a situation where many children live with one parent and only see the other at weekends or holidays.

There has also been ahugerise in the number of women with children who work. The large rise in divorces⁴ has meant many women need to work tosupportthemselves and their children. Even where there is no divorce, many families need both parents to work in order to survive. This has caused an increase inchildcare facilities, though it is very expensive and can be difficult to find in many areas.

In addition, women are no longer happy to stay at homeraisingchildren, and many have careers earning as much or even more than men, the traditionalbreadwinner.

There has also been asharpincrease in the number ofsingle mothers, particularly among teenagers. Some people haveblamedthis increase for the rise in crime⁵. They feel thelackof amale role modelhas damaged these children in society.

However, these changes have not had a totally negative effect. For women, it is now much easier to have a career and good salary. Although it is difficult to be a working mother, it has become normal and is no longer seen as a bad thing for the children.

As for children themselves, some argue that modern children grow up more independent and mature⁶ than in the past. From an early age they have to go to childminders ornurseries, and so are used todealing withstrangers andmixing withother children.