Gay Marriage Reenforces Straight Marriage

Jesurgislac,

You said:

Surely if you're a person who is concerned that people aren't getting married as much as they used to, or aren't bringing up children inside families headed by a married couple, you would actively welcome allies who believe that marriage is important, who feel strongly about its symbolic and its practical value, and who appreciate the benefits to kids of having parents who are married?

Exactly my question.

The fact that couples and groups are going through the political and legal process to have the right to marry include them would certainly leave an unbiased observer to see that they believe that the institution of marriage is valuable. Otherwise, why would they be fighting so hard to join it?

The idea that allowing SSM would somehow dissuade heterosexual couples from marrying seems far fetched. Suppose we have a young couple who have lived together for several years and are thinking about starting a family. They wonder whether or not they should marry first.

The way it is now, they might say, "Well, look at that gay couple down the street. They are successful in living their lives and raising their family without being married, so why should we bother?"

Were the situation different, they might say, "Well, look at that gay couple down the street. Why, they can't even have a baby together! Yet they thought it important enough for themselves and their children to get married anyway. We should consider doing the same."

If marriage is a universal good, as proponents claim, then couples should be allowed to marry universally. The fewer exceptions the better.

Also posted at Family Scholar's Blog Comment #13.