the assumption behind the survey is that lone parents should be worse off. This follows upon the assumption that if the financial situation of lone parents can be made poor then people will stop becoming divorced. the BBC website reported it thus "Its report said that the state benefit system was skewed in favour of lone parents and if couples with children split, they would be wealthier." Like as if a couple are going to split up (especially for a £1) just to be wealthier. I think most people would prefer a nice happy marriage than an extra few quid. Or am I just an old romantic.
Another thing is remember on that BBC programme ‘who do you think you are’. One of Vic Reeves’ grandparents was a bigamist. He just upped and left and started a family elsewhere read about it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/wdytya_celeb_gallery_10.shtml
even though bigamy was illegal people still did it.
passions and emotions don’t obey economic laws. trying to manipulate behaviour by financial means in this way simply impoverishes.
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