Marriage a battered institution, studies show | The Oregonian

[Ediacara]

Marriage a battered institution, studies show
Most people want to marry, but divorce rates and the number of unmarried parents have soared, especially in Oregon

02/29/04
BILL GRAVES

President Bush vowed last week to "protect marriage in America" from a few judges who "are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization."

But he may be too late, researchers and statistics say.

A constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman would bar marriage for gay and lesbian couples, but it does nothing to stop other forces that are battering and reshaping marriage.

Climbing rates of divorce, unmarried parents, out-of-wedlock births and adults choosing to remain single have pummeled marriage in the past four decades. And several of those trends are unfolding in Oregon at rates surpassing the national average.

More at the Oregonian

[tedoll78]

1. I love that sentence.

"A constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman would bar marriage for gay and lesbian couples, but it does nothing to stop other forces that are battering and reshaping marriage.

So true. I wish other news outlets would echo this truth loudly. My partner and I just go to work, come home, surf the net, watch TV, walk the dog at the park, take an occassional vacation to the beach or camping.. I don't see how we're threatening other peoples' stabilities.. are they that inherently unstable?

[LiberalFighter]

5. That is pretty much what James Caraville stated last week on Crossfire

[JoFerret]

10. Great Frank Rich column

http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1549~1987480,00.html

[cosmicdot]

2. "in the past four decades"

I remember a time when the word "divorce" was never heard ... at least growing up in the 50s and 60s ... this was working class type community

when I taught school in the 70s, I obtained an index card from each student supplying home contact information; and, that was an eye-opener

just more evidence that our fearless pseudo-leader is failing us ... a real leader would address all matters related to the subject for proper perspective, insight, etc.

narrow focus, narrow minds ... America suffers in the meanwhile ...

[ithacan]

3. "other forces"????

what bullsh**!!

This assumes that gay marriage is actually a force that is "battering" marriage.

No, it's not. I have yet to hear a single way in which gay marriage undermines my own marriage.

The main reason for the "battering" of marriage is the Republican party's destruction of our economy, its undermining of our social safety net, the way its minions in hate radio whip conservative white guys into a frenzy about women who won't kowtow and be submissive.

In short, marriage's destruction is due to the "conservatives."

And isn't it ironic that the highest divorce rates are among Southern Baptists, and in states dominated by the right wing fundamentalists?

[Robb]

4. A little overbroad

Baptists have the highest divorce rate among Christian faith groups, but it would appear Jews have a marginally higher divorce rate.

Good read here.

[LiberalFighter]

6. Due to the conservatives

I wonder if there has been any type of marriage study based on values especially repug or conservatives.

[The Zanti Regent]

7. Does George believe Neil promotes marriage?

Oops, I forgot, Every door Neil Bush opened in Asia had a teenage hooker behind it!

[alarimer]

8. I have a question

Why is being or staying single ALWAYS assumed to be bad for society? Some people like myself have absolutely no interest in getting married. The very idea of losing my freedom and identity and being tied down is not something I want to experience. To me, it is about choice. People, all people, should have the right to get married or not. People also should not have to stay in a relationship if they do not want to, no matter what the circumstances. I believe that getting out of a bad relationship or marriage is better than staying in, at least from a mental health perspective.

[Skittles]

9. I have never felt the need to own someone

and I am quite content. :)

[LiberalFighter]

11. I why marry just for the sake of marrying?

I am not about to marry someone that would make life miserable or less than happy.