Families are more Precious than Gold
by Ruben Alarcon
In its May 2024 report (Part I), The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) presents a bold vision: placing families at the heart of a new ethical framework for politics. The report argues human relationships, solidarity, belonging, and community should guide governance in the UK. Yet, while consumerism dominates modern life, its negative impact on our way of living is increasingly crippling.
People in the UK have become more fixated on improving their shopping experience than preserving Sundays—a day traditionally reserved for family and rest.1 This raises a critical question: Are Britons ready to embrace family-centred policies?
The CSJ report advocates for a "mission for family," emphasising the need to strengthen family structures within communities. Marriage, as a pillar of family stability, is identified as a key factor in tackling the loneliness crisis. The declining marriage rate in the UK reflects a growing trend of isolation and loneliness.
According to the CSJ, marriage could be the solution to both financial challenges and the loneliness epidemic. Stable family structures foster economic security and emotional well-being, forming the foundation of healthier communities. However, current policies that focus heavily on economic growth often contribute to family fragmentation and individual isolation. The consequences are stark: 6 out of 10 adults in the UK report feeling lonely most or some of the time. This demonstrates the urgent need for policies that prioritise family cohesion to address both economic and social issues.
In the report, the lack of stable family formation has been attributed to both a lack of time and space:
Time, in the form of designated family and recreational days like Sundays, must be safeguarded. Protecting days like Sunday helps families stay connected and supports a healthier balance between work and personal life.
Housing security is crucial for families to grow and thrive. A stable home environment provides the space for parents to spend meaningful time with their children. According to a 2019 study, children who grow up in such secure settings are less likely to experience feelings of loneliness as adults.
Family stability also fosters generational connections. Policies that support multi-generational households—where grandparents, parents, and children live together—can enhance the sense of belonging and community.2
Furthermore, national data collection is needed to explore the link between family breakdown and isolation, especially as nearly 50% of the population believes their peers are unhappy.
It is worth mentioning, The Centre for Policy Studies (CPJ), while a non-religious think tank, shares many of the same values and approaches that The Jubilee Centre has advocated for over the past decades (e.g. Sundays, extended family, etc). This results from God’s revelation of what is good for those made in his image in His Word/law becoming apparent from what ‘works’ in practice.
If you are interested in reading both reports, you can find them [Part I and Part II].
This blog is based on Part I of the CPS report. Part II will follow soon.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly695ke43lo
[2] See Reactivating the Extended Family Publication
