Marriage

Saying "I Don't" to Marriage: Is North Carolina Turning It's Back on Marriage?
Marriage amendment legislation has languished in the General Assembly for three years in a row, making North Carolina the only state in the South where legislative efforts to put a marriage amendment on the ballot have consistently failed. To understand why, it is important to explore the history of the amendment in North Carolina, the main arguments against it, and why amending the state constitution is a necessary first step to preserving marriage for future generations. September 2006.

Why Families Matter: The Need for Husbands and Wives—Fathers and Mothers
Given the current attacks on traditional family values, it is now more important than ever to understand why the family works and how it benefits the culture. This paper surveys social science research to demonstrate that marriage is an intrinsic good and the essential basis for the family, which is the fundamental building block of society. November 2005.

Strengthening Marriage: How Public Policy Can Reinforce the Foundation of Society
This paper will explore why marriage is important to society, describe the condition of marriage nationally and in North Carolina, and explain several proposals for strengthening marriage through public policy. September 2005.

Living Together: How Cohabitation Undermines Marriage and the Family
A dangerous social trend is growing in prevalence and popularity in North Carolina and across the country. It’s called cohabitation, and in spite of the fact that it significantly lowers the chances for a successful marriage and raises the odds that children will spend at least part of their lives in poverty and be more vulnerable to abuse, more Americans are choosing to cohabit than ever before. This paper reviews how cohabitation negatively affects marriage and the family and explains why North Carolina’s law prohibiting cohabitation should remain the standard in this state. June 2005.

Homosexual Indoctrination: How Safety Is Used to Promote Homosexuality in Schools
Homosexual advocacy groups are training teachers and students, and homosexual student clubs are forming in schools across North Carolina, where controversial topics, such as transgenderism, are being favorably presented. The majority of these efforts are taking place outside of the sex education classroom under the guise of creating “safer,” more “inclusive” schools. This paper shows how homosexual activists are using safe schools initiatives and diversity education to get into the classroom to promote dangerous messages about sex and gender, and how these efforts threaten parental authority, religious freedom and free speech. December 2004.

Protecting Marriage: North Carolina Law and the Preservation of Marriage
The ongoing controversy over a Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) highlights the fact that the issue of same-sex marriage has moved front and center in the American political landscape. Opponents of the FMA in Congress have said that the issue should be left up to the states. Meanwhile, proponents say that it is necessary to protect the states. At the same time, opponents of a constitutional amendment at the state level have said that North Carolina's laws are sufficient to protect marriage, while supporters say that North Carolina's marriage laws are vulnerable to redefinition by the courts. This paper examines the status of North Carolina law, discusses why marriage is vulnerable to redefinition by an activist court and explains why an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution is necessary to protect marriage. November 2004.

Sexual Degradation: How Pornography Destroys the Family
Pornography is not “harmless adult entertainment” as the porn industry claims. Inside the world of pornography, sex is public, no relationship is sacred, and no one's body—not even a child's—is innocent. True, not everyone who views porn will become a sexual addict or a sexual predator. The most pernicious effects of pornography are more subtle, and result from the powerful influence it exerts over the hearts, minds and souls of individuals, and in the damage it does to intimate relationships. July 2004.

Defining Marriage: What's Wrong With Letting Same-Sex Couples Marry?
This paper addresses numerous fallacies in the arguments for same-sex “marriage,” and exposes many reasons why homosexual sex is harmful, unhealthy, and extremely high-risk behavior. It also reveals why same-sex relationships are inherently unstable and not suitable for marriage. Accordingly, those who genuinely seek the best for their fellow citizens and the stability of our society will be compelled to promote healthy and stable marriages and to reject the affirmation of same-sex relationships. May 2004.

The Essence of Marriage: Why It Is Only the Union of a Man and a Woman
This paper discusses the meaning and purpose of marriage, and why the union of a man and a woman is central to this purpose and best for society. It also looks at how changing the definition of marriage to include homosexual couples would weaken the institution of marriage, and what can be done to protect marriage. November 2003.

Protecting Marriage: 10 Good Reasons to Preserve Meaningful Tort Laws
There have been a number of bills introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly over the past several years to eliminate the torts of alienation of affections and criminal conversation. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the civil actions of alienation of affections and criminal conversation and points out why the preservation of these laws in an important component of preserving and protecting marriage in North Carolina. June 2002.

Promoting Irresponsibility: Efforts that could change the heart of North Carolina
Efforts are under way at the General Assembly that could change our state to a place where the law promotes irresponsibility. Bills have been introduced in the 2001 session that would legalize or endorse behaviors in North Carolina that are not only irresponsible but dangerous—such as adultery, homosexuality and gambling. This paper looks at some of these proposals and how they would impact the families and culture of the state. April 2001.

Covenant Marriage: Divorce Reform Louisiana-Style
Since its passage, the Covenant Marriage Act has raised considerable debate over its effectiveness and its constitutionality. This paper will take a closer look at Louisiana's new marriage law, its goals, its strengths and its weaknesses to determine what role it might have on much-needed divorce reform in our country today. August 1998.

Marriage Savers: Is there hope for today's families
There is little doubt that the breakup of the nuclear family is one of the most pressing domestic problems of our time. With the collapse of marriage leading the way in the disintegration of the family, many policy makers are asking what can be done? February 1998.