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Printed from The Vanier Institute of the Family's website at www.vifamily.ca. © 2007.
Would Same-Sex Marriage Devalue the Institution of Marriage? OTTAWA—The question of whether or not same-sex marriage would devalue the institution of marriage is one of many important questions explored in Same-Sex Couples and Same-Sex-Parent Families: Relationships, Parenting, and Issues Of Marriage, a new report released by the Vanier Institute of the Family. The report's author, Dr. Anne-Marie Ambert, teaches in the Department of Sociology at York University.Dr. Ambert stresses that the research on same-sex couples and same-sex parents is, as yet, "embryonic." Nevertheless, such findings as do exist should be made available to parliamentarians and other Canadians considering questions such as the rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples. In her report, Dr. Ambert summarizes and assesses research on these topics:
According to the 2001 Canadian census, only 0.5% of all couples sharing a household are same-sex couples, but Dr. Ambert believes that, in reality, the proportion is likely somewhat higher. She goes on to say that, although "the exact number of children living with two homosexual parents is not known . . . at least 3,000 same-sex couples are raising children in Canada today." According to Ambert, at the civil level, individuals in democratic societies are entitled to their own religious and moral beliefs about family life. "But," she says, "the democratic right of individuals as family members also presumes an obligation: the tolerance of the different ways and values of other families, and this includes same-sex parent families and couples." And, "in point of fact, questions of morality are raised about both heterosexual and homosexuals who cohabit and want the same rights, but not the same responsibilities, as married couples. Thus, it would be important that homosexuals who intend to marry share a commitment to monogamy and fidelity." To read or download the entire report, please click here. Dr. Robert Glossop
Executive Director of Programs and Research, VIF 613-228-8500, ext. 14; bglossop@vifamily.ca Mr. Alan Mirabelli
Executive Director of Administration and Communication / Information, VIF 613-228-8500, ext. 12; amirabelli@vifamily.ca -30-
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