CHOICES AND MARRIAGE: Gabriel Rosenberg

I hear a lot in the same-sex marriage debate about how same-sex couples chose their "lifestyle" and thus must embrace the consequences of that decision with regards to marriage. The argument seems to be that it is not the state that is denying them the benefit of marriage, but rather it the decision of the individual to choose a same-sex partner. ...

...It is very likely that a person who plans on having kids will choose a spouse that he thinks will be a good parent and will help to provide an optimal parenting situation. That does not mean that we must forbid all but the theoretically best spouse, especially because what we may find to be theoretically best is not necessarily what actually is best for that individual. In fact, we have a long tradition in this country of parents deciding what is the best way to raise their own children. This is based in part on a parent's right to raise their children, and in part on an understanding that a parent is likely to know best what is right for their children. ...

I am not saying that the state is not involved in choices involving marriage and parenting. I am saying that it is only with great justification, if at all, that we allow the state to remove the choice entirely. ...We might restrict certain benefits to those couples who choose to marry, but I think we do so more in recognition of the additional responsibilities incurred by marriage, than as a reward per se for choosing marriage. We recognize that marriage and parenting are difficult, and we do our best to make them easier.

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posted by Eve at 4:01 PM VOTE

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