Letter:High returns on family life

From Mr David Day

Sir: The point Francine Stock overlooks ("Is the Archbishop missing the point?", 17 February) is that a couple deciding to have a child assumes society will be there to provide education, health services etc, for that child. In return, it is reasonable for society to say, "OK, we will provide the infrastructure, but in return we expect the parents to do their best to provide the child with a stable home for the necessary 20 or more years."

The only proven way our society has found to achieve this is through marriage and families. The Archbishop is therefore right. We should as individuals encourage people to build stable families, but also society should bolster our efforts with financial incentives, which should include inducements for either parent to stay at home with pre-school children.

Yours sincerely,

DAVID DAY

Cold Ash, Berkshire

17 February