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AbstractA neutral stance on the increased incidence of single parent families may be becoming more difficult to sustain. This article first outlines briefly the growth in the number of single parent families and some significant features in, and factors underlying, this development. It goes on to consider a position which denies that fundamental change has occurred in “the family” and then discusses the first of various positions which may be adopted when significant change in marriage and child-bearing patterns is acknowledged. These views may be ranged on a continuum ranging from, first, an “alarmist” view which has a number of ingredients (concern about public expenditure, about the decline of the social and moral order, and a wish to change policy to reduce welfare-dependent single parenthood). Further points on the continuum will be outlined in Part II in the next issue |
