- Parents to be offered advice to prevent collapse of traditional families
- Iain Duncan Smith said more parents separate in years after child's birth
- 16-year-old more likely to own a smartphone than have their father at home
- Pilot relationship support schemes will begin next year
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Parents-to-be will be offered relationship support in ante-natal classes to try to reverse the 'shocking' collapse in traditional families.
Iain Duncan Smith said more parents separate in the first few years after a child's birth than at any other time, harming a generation of youngsters.
The Work and Pensions Secretary has said it is appalling that a 16-year-old is now more likely to own a smartphone than to have their father at home.
Iain Duncan Smi th said more parents separate in the first few years after a child's birth than at any other time
Research by the think-tank he set up, the Centre for Social Justice, has found that 62 per cent of teenagers sitting their GCSEs will own one of the latest mobile devices, compared with only 57 per cent who are still living with both parents – a figure it warns will fall further without government action.
Mr Duncan Smith said that trend 'cannot but have a negative impact on our society', citing evidence that family breakdown is linked to mental health problems, lower educational attainment and alcohol use later in life.
He said the 'value of a strong and stable family lies at the heart of our Conservative values, and at the heart of that, the institution of marriage'.
Speaking at a conference on parenting in London, he said all new parents are to be offered advice and support on staying together as they go to ante-natal classes.
Pilot relationship support schemes will begin next year.
An expert panel of charities and organisations, which have already drawn up new advice on parenting that is being added to ante-natal classes, will design the schemes.
Mr Duncan Smith said previous governments 'of all hues' were guilty of failing to support traditional families
It is expected that health visitors or midwives will be trained to offer support and advice on keeping a relationship strong during the turmoil of a new baby alongside the health professionals who advise on birth and feeding.
'The aim is to make this a totally normal part of preparing for parenthood – not just something individuals turn to after finding they are having a hard time,' he said.
'Act early, even before problems start, and we give parental relationships a far better chance of surviving sleepless nights, changes in family dynamics, and the rest.'
He said the Government had a 'duty to support sustained and healthy family relationships that give children the best start in life'.
Mr Duncan Smith, the Cabinet's staunchest champion of marriage, said everyone knew there were 'inspiring' separated or single parent families doing an 'exceptionally good job' of bringing up children.
But he said there was clear evidence that 'divorce does harm to children – affecting everything from school work to eating habits, as well as their relationship with mum and dad'.
He added: 'With so much resting on parents' shoulders, and under such strain, surely Government should offer its support, equipping parents to develop and sustain the nurturing family relationships that matter most.'
Mr Duncan Smith said previous governments 'of all hues' were guilty of failing to support traditional families.
'I believe part of the problem lies in politicians having shied away from promoting strong family relationships – at the heart of which lies marriage – for fear of being thought judgmental,' he said, adding: 'I have long believed we cannot stay silent on this issue altogether.'
He said a new 'families test', implemented last month, means that from now on, every domestic policy that is introduced will be assessed for its impact on families.
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