British politicians love to invoke the family, from John Major's "Back to Basics" campaign, to New Labour's "hardworking families" - and now a prominent strain of the Conservative right says parents sticking together for the sake of the children is "the only possible basis for a safe and successful society".
By turning family values into a political football, are they in denial about the way society has developed this century? For decades, single-person households have been the fastest-growing demographic and younger generations are re-defining romantic commitments and their purpose.
Is the erosion of traditional structure around marriage and family a destructive thing for society, or does it offer the kind of freedom and individual choice denied to previous generations?
Presenter: Zoe Strimpel Producer: David Reid Editor: Clare Fordham
Contributors: Danny Kruger, Conservative Member of Parliament for Devizes and Co-Chair of the New Conservatives: Committing to a Better Politics. Dr. Ruth Beecher, Historian of Modern Britain and the United States, Birkbeck, University of London Prof. Deborah Cohen, Richard W. Leopold Professor of History at Northwestern University. Dr. Sasha Roseneil, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex. Prof. Sylvie Fogelj-Bijaoui, sociologist specialising in gender, human rights, the family and the kibbutz. Daisy Lees, resident of Old Hall Chris Lees, resident of Old Hall Rob Connigale, resident of Old Hall
Is ethical surrogacy possible?
What's the point of street protest?
Addiction in the age of the metaverse
Is the UK the new sick man of Europe?
What is childcare for?
Beyond the cost of living crisis
Cashing in on the green rush
Germany and Russia: It's Complicated
The Advertising Trap
Can Nationalism be a Force for Good?
From Russia with love
The Court of Putin
Can the UK ever be a low tax economy again?
Ending Violence
The case for public service reform
Planning, Housing and Politics
Tackling Inequality
Why worry about future generations?
Can we create a universal Covid vaccine?
Finding Things Out
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Global News Podcast
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
The Infinite Monkey Cage
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins