Stigma

In a speech reported in the Scotsman on Saturday Mr Justice Coleridge warned "What is certain is that almost all of society's social ills can be traced directly to the collapse of the family life." My understanding is it is impossible to draw conclusions from reliable published data and my concern is that such views stigmatise single parent families, in particular the children. Actually in the address given at the Resolution National Conference the Judge did say "In some of the more heavily populated urban areas of the country Family life is, quite frankly, in meltdown or completely unrecognisable." which might be nearer the truth.

The media have ignored the fact that the thrust of Mr Coleridge's speech was a protest at the lack of funding for the family justice system in England & Wales and the way it is mismanaged and neglected by government.

Updated 4/9/08: The speech is available here.