I just heard a statistic that is both startling and not surprising at the same time.  How is that possible?

Recent UK research looked at family stability.  Of those families that stay together throughout the raising of their children through adolescence 97% are married.  Only 3% of those who see their kids through are unmarried partners.  Wow!  Can you see the implications of this?

This has HUGE HUGE HUGE ramifications for the cost of family breakdown in the UK because couples routinely just move in together and have children.  It is the accepted norm.  We now know that is almost a sure thing that children born into those families will experience a family breakup before the children grow up.  That then leads to many other unintended consequences (statistically shown) of difficult relationships, poorer performance in school and a host of others.

No wonder the generation of young people is in such trouble.  As the number of young adults bypass marriage and just become partners, the stage is set for their children to experience family breakdown and the resultant consequences.

Yes, divorce rates are too high as well, even among Christians.  Nevertheless, 97% of those who stay together through the raising of their children are married.  It takes commitment to get through all the challenges and marriage is the best place for that.