The pace and direction of social and demographic change in Ireland are further revealed in yesterday's figures from the Central Statistics Office on births, deaths and marriages in the first quarter of this year.
They show a high number of births outside marriage (especially in urban areas), falling family sizes, and later first births but nonetheless a steady increase in the overall number of births, marriages and of the total population compared to 1995.
Making sense of these and other indicators requires sociological expertise based on detailed comparative research as well as active policy-making sensitive to such changes. There is much in yesterday's figures to confirm that Irish family structures are becoming more similar to those in other developed societies in Europe and North America. Over 33 per cent of births are outside marriage here compared to 22.8 per cent nine years ago, whereas the figure is 34 per cent in the US, 38 per cent in the UK and over 50 per cent in several Scandinavian countries. The figures are much higher in urban areas, capped by Limerick at 56.3 per cent, followed by Dublin city and Cork, whereas those for rural areas are much lower.
The social implications of these trends deserve close attention by policy makers and researchers. To what extent do they reflect socio-economic differences between middle class and working class families? Or are they concentrated in the impoverished underclass in major cities? If there is a clear pattern linking the collapse of marriage structures and the poorest of the poor, this society is storing up problems for future generations. We need to know whether such trends are common to most people in the child-bearing generation or not.
On the answers to such questions should depend future social policy and legal changes to reflect new family structures. The issues involved badly need more public and political debate. There is often a contradiction between established religious and legal structures and social practice. Recent statistics on sexual practices, alcohol consumption and reckless driving portray a more prosperous younger generation alienated from traditional morality without being anchored self-confidently in a new social ethic.
The figures published yesterday do not necessarily indicate decline. Rather is there a transition to new social realities. Family structures are adapting to fresh patterns of living throughout the State and there is a welcome increase in Ireland's population. A more informed and honest debate on these issues would make it much easier for all concerned to adapt to these social changes.