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Argument: Marriage is about much more than kids; gays qualify

Issue Report: Gay marriage

Support

“Let them wed.” Economist. January 4th, 1996: “It is true that the single most important reason society cares about marriage is for the sake of children. But society’s stake in stable, long-term partnerships hardly ends there. Marriage remains an economic bulwark. Single people (especially women) are economically vulnerable, and much more likely to fall into the arms of the welfare state. Furthermore, they call sooner upon public support when they need care—and, indeed, are likelier to fall ill (married people, the numbers show, are not only happier but considerably healthier). Not least important, marriage is a great social stabiliser of men.”