"Gayism" and "Lesbianism" are neither new nor a trend.

N., New York, NY

So much for the sanctity of marriage, What happened to good old fashioned values, it seems as though its all gone downhill. So much for family values in this the 21st century. It r4eally does suck...

Cliff Johnson, Durham, United Kingdom

The controversy of marriage as an institution and a long time arrangement for life, is slowly and silently loosing its strength. The pools and public opinion speaks a lot and are self evident. People don't want to get bind in the social norms and lead a so called sacrosant life of man and wife. Though church may not favour and ratify the testimony of live-in couples, with no gender bias.
The new trend of gayism and lesbianism, couple living together as life partners and yet not being married make rake up a whole Pandora's box of debate, but truth is....society is changing and so are those age old ethos, moral code of conducts and norms. But the moot point is, are we creating a new world order, with much of disorder and chaos. No more family ties, no more talks about good parenting or social bondages. Are we not creating a social anarchy, which will villify our humanity. Different people may talk differently on it.
I still don't agree with such stark, weird radical changes

sandy, New Delhi, India

Given the lack of any rational basis why a married couple would make better parents than unmarried ones, it astounds me that nearly a third of people surveyed thought they would.

Paul, Cambridge, UK

The West is loosing its world domincance and being sidelined in questions of morality. It increasingly sees life as having only one purpose, the shallow, unfulfilling persuit of gadgets and gratification. Given this backdrop the questions in this survery dont even have any meaning.

henry smith, london,

I lived with a man in my early 20s and I can honestly say that it was the most awful time in my life. I am not religious and I have no strong moral beliefs but I believe cohabitation to be psychologically damaging to those who cohabit. Marriage is seen by many as "proper" commitment - it is drummed into us from an early age. This applied to me thus I was living in a psychological halfway house whether I was neither single or married. This state of limbo (as with any state of limbo) is not good for anyone. My advice to cohabitees? Get married or get out. Make a decision one way or another.

sally, cardiff, wales

So the socialists have won. They always hated marriage because loyalty to families have always trumped loyalty to them, so it had to go.

R Mason, London, UK

What suites people they believe. So many people are appallingly educated they really believe it does not make a difference. Being married makes life so much easier and its better for their children/s piece of mind.
But again these people dont really care, its not convienient it means acutually making ago of it with the same person for the rest of their lives, but we live in a throw away society the same goes for partners.

Mrs Atkinson, Wolverhampton, Great Britain

As the philosopher John Locke wisely observed, "What suits our wishes, we easily believe" and as Harry Benson points out in your article what most people believe flies in the face of a clear body of evidence that the outcomes for marriage and cohabitaion in terms of child welfare are completely different.

Most cohabitees will have split (or married) by the time their children are five and, though many single parents do a grand job of bringing up wonderful children, it is much easier for two people commited to loving each other and their children to put in all the hard work involved over decades in seeing those children flourish.

Dr Trevor Stammers, Epsom, Surrey

Isn't the fact that men have so much to lose an incentive to learn to love properly? Of course women who allow themselves to continue in a relationship with a man who doesn't love her enough to marry her are really equally to blame.

The issue of children is really irrelevant to the love in the relationship, in this day and age. Obviously they should only come as the 'fruit' of a solid love relationship that will last for at least 20 years, or the length of time it takes to bring the child to self-sufficiency/adulthood.

june2, washington, usa

Well, David Downes - you seem to spliced yourself a good financial deal, no cost of a wedding (traditionally the bride's day), an unpaid carer and I wonder if you benefitted from the joint financial arrangement too. If you didn't and things don't work out, at least you will be protected from having to give her half your joint assets and pension. It's nice to know that you're "no longer available to enjoy the pleasures of other women'"- was this not the case when Beckie was your 'pre-nuptial' partner? And the length of your marriage -almost one month! Clearly made in heaven but I hope that soon, Beckie wakes up to the cheapskate you are.

R L Dibblee, Cambridge,

I raised three boys from the ages of 2,5 and 6 after my ten year marriage ended much to my horror and risistance. Today my twenty-one year-old said recently: "when I observe closely mothers in general and realise what you did mom; to raise us three on your own, I think it is amazing. In fact, I think the government should issue a card or something, that mothers carry with them in their wallet, as one does an identification card or a social security card. One that says: I am a Mother. In fact, I have noticed that I am treate better when I am accompanied by my mother: in restaurants for example or just in ordinary interactions with other people as we have a day out in the city together. I am treated much better when she is with me. In fact when she is not with me I would love to wear a badge that says in clear letters: I Have a Mother!"

PGA, New York City , USA

Why ask the question? if you want to get married - do it, if not don't. why are you trying to wind people up by suggesting that there is a right and a wrong?

Mike, Bristol,

Marriage was never a religious institution. Pre Roman invasion of this country, if a couple told friends they were married then that was enough. Even ‘clandestine’ marriages, i.e. those where just the couple themselves were aware was, legally, a marriage. This placed obligations on the town/village where the couple lived in the even the husband died leaving the woman, who probably had no relatives there, and kids on their own.

This was the norm until, in a defensive move in response to the reformation, the Council of Trent in the latter half of the 16th century made marriage a sacrament of the catholic church. Even so, as it was patently a money making control mechanism, it was generally ignored.

Marriage as a religious institution is 250 years old. The Marriage Act, 1753, made recording of marriages compulsory and, in an early form of private finance initiative, made church ceremonies compulsory. This was not for religious reasons but to deal with the effect the industrial revolution had on mobility, meaning that husbands could more easily move away or have more than one wife.

Kings’ marriages had a religious input but this was by way of a demonstration of power by the church.

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

I have been with my "partner" for 8 years - we have a beautiful 2 year old and I have and intend to continue to be faithful to them both. I believe we are doing as good if not better job than my parents who are due to celebrate 49 years of marriage next month. Its Love and Respect that matters not the old fashioned concept of marriage.

Times change and I dont accept the comment that married couples make better parents.

Ana, Liverpool,

Andrew from Japan since when was liberalism the same as immorality? Thats like saying freedom is immoral and Ewan from Dorset try reading, Greg said "a faithful marriage is the glory of humanity" not any old marriage. And so by disagreeing with him are you suggesting that when a man and woman vow to be together for the rest of their lives and keep to those vows, it is not a glorious/good/brilliant thing? Were people more glorious when they were having casual sex and getting through relationship after relationship or when they finally found their "true love" and stayed with them? Though since you did not read his statement properly I guess there is really no debate here, as what are the chances you will even read mine? And why not get married to someone and be brave enough to admit your love and remain faithful. Long-term cohabitation (and I mean decades) without marriage is because one of you is cowardly and needs to be able to run off when they want and isnt't brave enough to admit it

vicki P, London,

I raised three boys from the ages of 2,5 and 6 after my ten year marriage ended much to my horror and risistance. Today my twenty-one year-old said recently: "when I observe closely mothers in general (in the underground as I go to work or from my office window which faces a school, as well as numerous other situations) and realise what you did mom; to raise us three on your own, I think it is amazing. In fact, I think the government should issue a card or something, that mothers carry with them in their wallet, as one does an identification card or a social security card. One that says: I am a Mother. In fact, I have noticed that I am treated differently when I am alone than when I am accompanied by my mother. In restaurants for example or just in general interactions with other people as we have a day out in the city together. I am treated much better when she is with me. In fact when she is not with me I would love to wear a badge that says in clear letters: I Have a Mother!"

Pascale Agostinelli, New York, USA

Yes, idealy marriage is the equivalent to dying for the sake of the other but surely the other has to die too. It takes two to committ absolutely. I'd love to meet you !

By the way, I want to add to my previous comment that although it all turned out fine, my sons and I would have far prefered that dad/husband had stayed (dispite his being a piece-of-work!)

Pascale Agostinelli, New York, USA

My partner and I married this past Christmas morning at 1am in the morning. We place two gold rings upon each others fingers, kissed, cuddled and soon after, fell asleep.

We awoke later that morning and have been married ever since, and it's coming up to our first month together, as husband and wife.

We didn't need the use of the church (excuse me whilst I throw up at the thought) and we didn't need the services of the state. I propossed and Beckie accepted...it was that simple!

Suffice to say, I'm no longer available to enjoy the pleasures of other females. Our finances are as one and as I'm 14 years older, I really do believe that she'll look after me in sickness and in old age :o)

We're both happy in our decision to marry as we have. Not much pomp and zero involvement of external agencies....no pre-nup either. We're just average people sick and tired of our Governments legal process and it's design in inflicting as much pain and hatred upon marriages that fail.

David Downes, Chester, Cheshire

Chad from Glasgow, it is my business when l end up indirectly paying for the woes of problem children which is inevitable in situations like what you described. Marriage is not a guarantee for anything other than going in with the best intentions of it working. No one enters into a marriage knowing full well it will fail but it is a lot better than not at all and taking a very lackadasical attitude to relationships especially when it involves children. So dont say it is not other people's business when irresponsible adults decide to produce children without much commitment i.e. marriage or thought. There are consequences to such frivilous attitude and it is people like that that produce long term problems that effects every tax payer and the world. The high rate of divorce is not a reason for not getting married. What other instability do you want to add on to this very unstable world with hurting children looking for love and stablity of a safe home and family.

Mia, Brisbane, Australia

Research doesn't bear out public opinion. I fear many are just validating their situation. The trend though would support the anecdotal evidence that we are becoming more self centered.

i.e., Norwich, England

I've just noticed that this is in the 'women' and 'relationships' sections. Does this mean that this is aimed at women? I think it generally fair to say that women rather than men would rather be married, such a commitment-phobic bunch you see. I find it rather sad that I know of men who are reluctant because there is a near evens chance they will get divorced and then near definite to lose their wealth, house and children. Sorry, it may be unfashionable to say but this is a factor.

i.e., Norwich, England

The product of ten years of social marxism from NuLab and their continued attack on the family unit.

James, Wellington,

A country that doesn't permit legally binding vows has effectively outlawed marriage. Whilst there is a difference between vows made and dispensed with, and vows never made, it is thin one, and the public can be excused for not understanding it.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Being married and living together are two entirely different states - I've done both. Being married is much, much better. It's a tie that one takes seriously and one respects one's husband rather than a man who can't be bothered or is too scared to make the legal commitment. It's nice being known as a "wife" rather than uhm, er, my er "partner" . It's undignified living in an unspecified relationship. And I don't thing that Mills and Boon romantic love has very much to do with marriage; it's a commitment for grown ups;

dandy, London, UK

Boys, when applying for a working visa, there is no substitute for "Spouse" on the application. Trust me on this. Other countries are not as liberal or immoral as the UK.

Andrew Miner, Yokohama, Japan

Expected results........ was the survey conducted with a Jeremy Kyle show audience?

Keith. Nichol, London, uk

marrage, or lack thereof is noone business except the couple involved. All that matters is if there are children, they are happy, healthy and loved, no matter what form their family takes.

now, can we please all mind our own business for a change?

chad h, Glasgow uk,

'Marriage is the glory of humanity': then were we not glorious before marriage was 'invented'?

ewan, sherborne, dorset

28 percent think married couples make better parents? Would there currently be 28 percent of couples that are married? This is just opinion, but shows the decay in morality in this country. If people cannot commit to their partner then they shouldn't commit to having children.

I would like to see concrete evidence on the percentage of married couples children with criminal records compared to those from unmarried parents. I bet I know the answer.

The removal of all the tax breaks for those couples that were married hasn't helped this situation either.

Phil C, london, uk

It seems that married couples are discriminated against in the State Retirement Pension as they get a Married Couples allowance that is less than two single pensions. Should we get a D I V O R C E when that time of life comes round and live in "sin" for our final years or stay wed and live in poverty? Ask Gordon or his chancelor to clarify.

Mick Bennett, Sheffield, England

This report confirms what I have always felt. It's not being married thats important; it's the loving each other and the family that matters. On this side of the pond, We have these pro-family (of course only heterosexual married please) idiots who argue exactly what this report points out is false...

Wes Byrd, Iowa City, Iowa USA

The difference between a married couple and an unmarried couple is a man in robes with some magic words.

The value of a promise does not change just because the state or the church hears it.

A M, CD,

Observe your colleagues and compare the married-never-divorced to the others and I can almost guarantee that you'll find the others a jumble of neuroses and the married-never-divorced at least apparently content and on an even keel.

It should be no surprise: without a firm (ie. public) promise of faithful love from a trustworthy person (ie. someone who has enough self-control to wait till marriage) there is no peace for the heart.

Marriage is the ultimate act of love. You promise your whole life: in other words it is equivalent to dying for the sake of the other. You cannot love more than that. Marriage is certainly not just a piece of paper as so many thoughtless people deceive themselves in to believing.

A faithful marriage is the glory of humanity.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK