Monday 22nd February 2010

Family: Our own families

The family was the first institution set up by God and it remains the primary building block of society. In a family children develop values, adopt beliefs and see life principles being lived out. It is in the family that they understand who they are, the value they offer and are shaped and prepared to take their place in society.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”

Gen 1:27-28a

What Is A Typical Family?

17.1 million families in the UK

71% of all families are headed up by a married couple

The proportion of co-habiting couple families has increased to 14% from 9% in the last 10 years

1.8 is the average number of children per family

£32,779 is the average income

90% of dads go out to work

68% of mums go out to work

33% of women still do the bulk of household chores

58% of men and 39% of women aged 20-24 in England still lived at home with their parents

Source: BBC.co.uk, ONS, PFMA, Sheffield University