There are many these days. There are many forms of family. We have what is classically referred to as the traditional definition of a family—a married man and woman with 2.1 children, all living in the same arrangement. Today there are a wide range of other forms of family. Unfortunately, we see marriages break up, but we also see families of single parents with one or more children, perhaps with different heritage. We see families that are made up of multiple generations living in the same accommodation. We see quite a broad range. In fact, for many people who are now without blood relatives or marital partners, they form their own families or own family groups; it may be with friends or roommates, but they form their own family function. However, when it comes to legislation, we have to abide by the legal definitions, whatever are appropriate. But we do recognize that families these days take a wide range of forms.
On June 6th, 2006. See this statement in context.