Zenit reports that the aspiration to walk down the aisle to marry the man or woman of one's dreams continues to be a very common one, even though the growing number of cohabiting couples may seem to prove the contrary.

Evidence of support for commitment came in a book recently published by the London-based Institute for the Study of Civil Society. "Second Thoughts on the Family," by Anastasia de Waal, compiles information taken from a specially commissioned opinion poll, plus interviews with 27 "opinion makers."

The poll by the institute revealed that around 70% of young people would like to get married. This contradicts the position held by both main political parties, Labor and the Conservatives, the book points out.