Study: Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Society and Children, Refuting Opponents' Claims
A comprehensive review conducted by researchers at UCLA and the Rand Corp. analyzes twenty years of data following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. The study, published in the Los Angeles Times by contributor Benjamin Karney, examines 96 independent studies to evaluate the social consequences predicted by opponents prior to the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision. The findings confirm that fears regarding harm to children or the stability of different-sex marriages were unfounded. Instead, the data reveal significant positive outcomes, including improved mental and physical health, greater financial stability, and stronger family connections for same-sex couples. Children in these families gained better access to health insurance, while states recognizing same-sex marriage experienced economic gains and healthcare cost savings. Furthermore, the analysis found no negative impact on marriage, cohabitation, or divorce rates among different-sex couples. This evidence counters recent campaigns aiming to roll back marriage rights, demonstrating that legal recognition has strengthened rather than weakened societal institutions.
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Study: Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Society and Children, Refuting Opponents' Claims
A comprehensive review conducted by researchers at UCLA and the Rand Corp. analyzes twenty years of data following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. The study, published in the Los Angeles Times by contributor Benjamin Karney, examines 96 independent studies to evaluate the social consequences predicted by opponents prior to the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision. The findings confirm that fears regarding harm to children or the stability of different-sex marriages were unfounded. Instead, the data reveal significant positive outcomes, including improved mental and physical health, greater financial stability, and stronger family connections for same-sex couples. Children in these families gained better access to health insurance, while states recognizing same-sex marriage experienced economic gains and healthcare cost savings. Furthermore, the analysis found no negative impact on marriage, cohabitation, or divorce rates among different-sex couples. This evidence counters recent campaigns aiming to roll back marriage rights, demonstrating that legal recognition has strengthened rather than weakened societal institutions.
latimes