There are two traditional peaks in marriage rates this century in most Western countries — immediately post WWII when all the troops returned home, and from the mid 1960′s to early 1970′s. The latter peak is itself due to the first because it was when the post-war baby boom came to marriage age.

If the graphs are redrawn using the population of eligible age and status (ie single) you get a much flatter line.

Marriage hasn’t died in the Netherlands. There are just fewer people per head of population that can get married in the first place. Many younger Dutch couples, like many younger Europeans, only go out and get legally married after having a child or two. They still get married, but not as their grandparents did.

The rise in divorces during the 1970′s is far more reflective of social change than are the marriage rates. Divorce ceased to have the same stigma and the financial and social status of women had altered from previous generations. There was an initial rise, but divorce rates have been largely static (or even declined) over the past 30 years in many Western countries.

Whatever heterosexuals do with their own marriages will be their own doing. If none of them get married it’s their own decision. Marriage rates for heterosexual couples were falling long before gay couples demanded marriage rights because happiness plays a larger role for heterosexuals in getting married. Divorce rates for heterosexual couples were going up for a while because the divorce laws were relaxed dramatically and happiness became a much bigger factor in decisions to end marriages.

Well Mr. cooper, you clearly seem to be cheery picking your data to support your point, when the reality of the data doesn’t support your point at all.

Why are you doing that? Do you think you might be prejudiced against gay people?

and when we get to the “We’re not bigots. This is our sincere rleigious belief.” I’s like to hear this.

“So you would like to see your religious beliefs take precedence over equality before the law in civil marriage. If you as a Christian said that Jews were not entitled to the same tretament by the government as you, would not that be religious bigotry? If you said segregation is based upon your sincere religious belief, would that be different as well?

Do you think we’ll acutally hear those quesitons asked?

I’m sure loads of straight people saidL:” Hey wait? Gay’s can’t get married and don’t need to? Maybe we shouldn’t either.”

Itr is every bit as valid as arguing the other way. It makes just as much sense.