All about the family

“No civilised society should abandon children to an upbringing in which their parents relentlessly pursue material wealth. Maybe there is an imbalance between work and private life, with more couples working and children seemingly abandoned to nurseries, child minders and the streets. But few outside left-wing sociology departments would suggest that these children are materially deprived, whatever Unicef says about relative poverty. British, American and Irish children are better off than Czechs and Hungarians. And pace Mr Cameron, life is not going to get better for our children if this country stops growing richer. What our children appear to lack is emotional support, close family structures and a sense of purpose.” The Sunday Times, “It’s the Family, Stupid.”