According to the latest issue of British Population Trends, married couples will constitute a minority of the population before 2010. Back in 1981, 65 percent of adults were married. By 1997, 23 percent fewer marriages were contracted. By contrast the rates of growth in cohabitation and illegitimate children have been enormous.

Most Western governments have either knowingly or unknowingly conspired against the divine institution of marriage. Over the last 50 years and more their legislation has periodically weakened the marriage bond. While giving lip service to marriage, their philosophy has produced the legal loopholes that have made divorce far easier and alternative relationships more economically viable.

The words of Jack Straw, Britain's Home Secretary, are an example of this philosophy. "While marriages should be supported and strengthened, there are other kinds of families, including single-parent families, that do equally well for children."

Do they? Juvenile crime figures tend to show otherwise.

Mr. Straw continued: "The government cannot pressure people into one type of relationship or force them to stay together. We are not in the business of moralising, preaching or nagging people on how they should live their lives."

Across the Atlantic the situation in the United States sounds very similar. Wrote Cheryl Weltzein of The Washington Times: "Marriage in America has gone from better to worse, with fewer couples marrying and fewer still saying their lives together are wedded bliss according to a report released on July 1.… As marriage has faltered, rates of divorce, cohabitation and bearing children out of wedlock have soared to record levels" (Financial Times, March 17, 1999; Daily Mail, June 21, 1999; Washington Times, July 12-18, 1999).