THAT OTHER KIND OF RELATIONSHIP: Elizabeth Marquardt

...But step back from the fire for a moment and look to a far quieter, but much larger, sector of the marriage debate. Over here, you'll find that there are many pressing concerns about marriage on the table today--concerns generally related to the vast majority of marriages that are, and always will be, between heterosexuals.

These vital questions include:
- How do children fare when their parents divorce?
- Why has the out-of-wedlock birth rate climbed so precipitously?
- What does it take for a couple to stay happily married for a lifetime?
- What role should society have in helping couples to achieve lasting, healthy marriages? ...

But, these marriage leaders remind us, anyone concerned about marriage today has a lot more to be concerned about than the plight of same-sex couples. The United States leads the world with its divorce rate. The number of children living with cohabiting adults is rising. One-third of all children in this country are born to unmarried mothers and most of them will have few, if any, ties with their fathers. ...

The shared goals? Specific proposals for state and federal governments on marriage license fees, divorce laws, tax credits, welfare reform, public school curricula and more; forums in which the same-sex marriage question can be respectfully and fruitfully debated; a nationwide task force to develop model legislation, direct the legislative agenda and monitor the movement's progress. ...

But marriage remains the best solution we have ever come up with for helping to ensure children the protection, love and support of their own mother and father. Marriage is neither a conservative nor a liberal idea.

Similarly, although marriage has been tremendously influenced by religions, it is not solely a religious institution. If you are concerned about child well-being, you might find many like-minded souls in the marriage movement, no matter your background.

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posted by Eve at 3:08 PM | link

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