Key things to know about families

• There goes the bride: The total number of marriages has declined since the 1950s. It's now at its lowest level since 1985. Even so, 7 in 10 families are headed by a married couple.
  Source: Families in Britain, Cabinet Office Strategy Unit 2008
• Through thick and thin: divorce rates reached their peak in the 1980s and have declined slightly ever since. However, there is a higher risk of couples splitting when they are hit by economic shocks such as unemployment.
  Source: ONS, 2007
• I never knew you snored: Estimates suggest 3 in 10 men and women aged 16 -59 years old who are not currently married or co residentially cohabiting have a partner living elsewhere.
  Source: Families in Britain, Cabinet Office Strategy Unit 2008
• You and me: nearly a quarter of families are one-parent families (2006), more than three times the proportion 35 years ago.
  Source: ONS 2007
• More homes; more lone living: By 2021 the number of UK households will rise from 24 to 30 million. Over a third will be single-person households
  Source: Families in Britain, Cabinet Office Strategy Unit 2008
• A quarter of families use grandparent childcare each week. Their care is valued at £3.9 billion each year
  Source: Future Challenges for Britain, Cabinet Office Strategy Unit 2008
• Fathers' time with their children is increasing. So are their concerns for their kids. 51% of fathers worry about whether they are doing a good job.
  Source: Families in Britain, Cabinet Office Strategy Unit 2008

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Key things to know about their media usage

• We're more likely to watch TV if we're married: on average, married 25-34 year olds watch two hours a week more than their single counterparts.
  Source: BARB, 2008

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Page last updated 29 May 2009