Gay Marriage: for Better or for Worse?: What We've Learned from the Evidence

by William N. Eskridge Jr., Darren R. Spedale

Opponents of same-sex marriage in the United States claim that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would undermine the institution of marriage, weaken family structures, and cause harm to children. Drawing from 17 years of data and experience with same-sex marriage in Scandinavia (in the form of registered partnerships), Gay For Better or for Worse? is the first book to present empirical evidence about the effects of same-sex marriage on society. Spedale and Eskridge find that the evidence refutes conservative defense-of-marriage arguments and, in fact, demonstrates that the institution of marriage may indeed benefit from the legalization of gay marriage. If we look at the proof from abroad, the authors show, we must conclude that the sanctioning of gay marriage in the United States would neither undermine marriage as an institution, nor harm the wellbeing of our nation's children.

"A very interesting book that people should read."
--Bill O'Reilly, Host, The O'Reilly Factor

"Whatever your views are now on same-sex marriage, this is the book to read to be informed about why same sex couples want legal recognition and what legal union means to them and to the larger community. Spedale and Eskridge give detailed accounts of the effects of registered partnerships in Scandinavia--and along the way, offer fascinating and engaging pictures of many people's lives."
--Martha Minow,
Jeremiah Smith Jr. Professor, Harvard Law School

"Spedale and Eskridge illuminate with remarkable even-handedness a debate that tends to generate more heat than light. They provide a cogent analysis of conservative arguments that same-sex matrimony threatens conventional marriage, and argue persuasively that enabling same-sex partners to marry may actually strengthen that beleaguered institution."
--John Podesta,
President and CEO, Center for American Progress

"An important and timely contribution. It should be required reading for anyone interested in the future of families in America."
--Martha Albertson Fineman,
Robert W. Woodruff Professor, Emory Law School

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Christian committed to the authority of Scripture, I approach this book from a specific presuppositional standpoint, which the authors do not share. However, I still learned from aspects of this book. The authors do recognize that ultimately this debate is about normative moral claims, not social consequences. On that I can agree, even though I disagree with the authors' own normative morality. And given that, I appreciated their tone throughout the book.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the evolution of same-sex unions in Scandinavia. I was expecting the authors to spend more time on the implications of their research for same-sex marriage supporters in America, but all in all the book was well-reasoned, interesting and informative.