I do not believe this for a second.

I am from a broken home (my parents divorced when i was 9) and my siblings and I have grown up in responsible adults. My son is from a broken home (I have never married) and he has just left university with a law degree.

It is irresponsible parents (among a huge factor of other ails), whether they be single, married, together or not, that are to blame for this breakdown.

These children/teenagers/adults have no respect for anyone or anything. They are given every possible human need (money, shelter, healthcare, education, etc) without any consequence. They want respect but do not give any. They want the latest phone but are not prepared to work to get it.

The verbal abuse, mindless violence and murder must come to a head soon as things are getting worse each day in this country.

Jenni, London,

I applaud Mr Justice Coleridge on this insightful speech which will undoubtedly resonate as undeniable truth to many. As a teacher and one who has contact with homeless people I can vouch for all that Mr Coleridge has to say. I would like to add a personal note - I believe that family breakdown has become progressively more prevalent since the country effectively 'turned it's back on God'. History bears witness to this. The task of reinstating the family unit seems daunting if not impossible in the present climate. I have no doubt that the measures Mr Coleridge suggests will be valuable but the ultimate remedy for the family unit is a country whose heart is towards God.

Mhalpin, Las Vegas, NV

It doesn't matter what any of these people say. Until the government stops paying serial childbearers, ( note well, not parents), to produce children who are then dumped on the state nothing will change. The problem lies with THIS government. Changing the government is the change we all need to see. Their social engineering hasn't worked.

judy, Liverpool, England

In answer - this and the last few Governments have done all in their influence to disassemble the family.
The fey fashion of the nineties "socialists " has broken us.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Pre-maritial sex is first made socially acceptable, and a few years later you find that everyone, aside from a few eccentrics, has had sexual intercourse before marriage. The next stage,which has already been reached in some inner cities, is where divorce is socially acceptable and there are almost no intact marriages. Finally you will reach a stage where no children at all live with two natural parents, and then there is no easy way back, because the next generation have no example of stability to guide them.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

How right he is.

Liz, Bristol,

Too many selfish people giving up and leaving kids in broken homes while persuing their own personal pleasures in life. Others trying to persue careers rather than devote time, and yes, some loss of income to bringing their children up in a stabe caring home environment. This is coupled with a system of benefits and tax breaks that give no credit to the married couple and penalise the single income families by not allowing the transfer of tax allowances between married couples.
If you are not prepared to sacrifice a lot of your time, love money and career then do not have children, they are for life not just a few years.

PC, Fife,