The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than four million American households consist of unmarried couples living together. In 1970 there was one unmarried couple for every 100 households. Now that number is eight, based on 1997 figures. Further research shows that up to 50 percent of American women in their early 30s have lived with a man outside the marriage bonds.

The overall climate in Britain is very similar. Noted British author Paul Johnson has lamented: "The powers-that-be in our confused society seem to be ganging up together in a direct assault on the institution of marriage. A majority of the Anglican bishops, a body of men always inclined to side with sin if it's fashionable, say that cohabiting couples are just as worthy in God's eyes as unmarried ones." For instance, the Bishop of Hereford has urged Christian people to recognize the reality of this social change, and his view is all too common.

But Paul Johnson minces no words in his conclusion: "For those who lay down the moral, or immoral, laws to us today nearly all come from stable backgrounds themselves. That is what got them the positions they hold. That is what makes their advocacy of the liberal-perhaps one should say libertine-approach so irresponsible and cruel. It is to deny to others, who are still children or yet unborn, the advantages we take for granted."

Back across the Atlantic nationally syndicated columnist William Murchison observed: "A sad likelihood is that many of today's cohabiters fear and shrink from commitment. Since 1960, the culture has worked overtime pitching instant gratification to the customers.... Well, yes, marriage restricts and restrains; it does so in order to liberate. Cohabiters confuse license with true freedom, which flourishes only in a structured environment where rights and duties play off each other, endlessly and elegantly." ( The Los Angeles Times, The Daily Mail (Britain), The Washington Times)