Strengthening Couple Relationships Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Education
David Simpson
Main Page: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)Department Debates - View all David Simpson's debates with the Department for Education
(10 years, 11 months ago)
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Jim Shannon
Those are wise words from the hon. Gentleman and I agree with him wholeheartedly. It is important that, through this debate, we try to explain why we feel that marriage is important and why it should be an aspiration of all young people. I believe that it is, by the way, but things happen and relationships fall down. That is a fact of life.
David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP)
The Library’s debate pack states:
“On current trends, 48% of children born last year”—
2013—
“are likely to see the breakdown of their parents’ relationship.”
That is why some sort of early intervention is needed. My right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast North (Mr Dodds) said that the stigma must be removed. It must be removed because 48% is unacceptable.
Jim Shannon
I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. His wise words and heart contribute to this debate.
I have been an advocate of marriage between a man and a woman as the most stable way to raise a child, and I am on the record as saying that during a Bill Committee debate last year. I advocate that not because my parents remain a strong partnership after 60 years of being together, but because it is a fact that those who are married have a more stable relationship than those who cohabit. I base that on information and statistics that have been made available to me, and any social worker or person in that area of expertise will agree. I stress again that some families outside that mode do a great job, and I do not suggest that marriage is the only right way; however, it has proved to be the most stable way.