In years gone by you’d have Mum, Dad and siblings all living together.

It was called the nuclear family and it was the basis of a progressive society.

In a new age of technology, every convenience at one’s fingertips, combined with moral laxity, that’s no longer the case. The family is no longer a priority

Today, traditional family life in the UK is no longer revered.

A new report reveals nearly half of British children are raised outside the traditional two-parent household.

Divorce and break-ups are pervasive and it is the kids who suffer.

According to a report by the Independent Family Review by the Children’s Commissioner, 44 per cent of those born at the start of this new century do not live with both their biological parents throughout their childhood.

This is in contrast with 21 per cent born in 1970.

The report concluded that “strong families even without extensive economic means can provide insulation against external challenges such as poverty.”

Around 90 per cent of one-parent families were headed by women with men increasingly walking away from their responsibilities.

Startling data reveals that 57 of black Caribbean were lone parents compared with 22 for white British families.

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “Investing in family is the single greatest investment you can make. If we do it right it is a self-sustaining unit and there to catch us when we fall, and if you are part of a strong family, you cast your net wider to catch others. I am calling on everyone to put family centre stage of their agenda.

“If we get this right at a critical moment for families across the country we will benefit generations to come and change children’s lives.”

Last year, the UK saw 8.2 million families with children according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Sixty-three per cent were married couples, fourteen per cent cohabiting and twenty-three per cent were lone-parent.

Lone-parent families are more likely to experience financial problems.

“Having a stable and supportive family, whatever form that takes can determine a child’s future success. Children with happy families do better in their exams, go on to get better jobs, and have higher hourly income at the age of 25. Family can insulate us from life’s adversity and challenges,” said Dame Rachel de Souza.