What's the Harm?: Does Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Really Harm Individuals, Families, or Society?

Across America, judges and other political elites are starting to view prohibitions against same-sex marriage as a matter of individual rights. In response, academics in law, psychology, and family studies argue here that same-sex marriage is not just a private concern between consenting adults. Even as they engage openly with those who see things differently, contributors seek to demonstrate that same-sex marriage has problematic ramifications for families and childrearing, responsible sexual behavior, the meaning of marriage, and basic human freedoms and institutions. Each section of the book begins with one essay arguing against same-sex marriage and one arguing for it. Following these two chapters, the rest of the contributions in each section address the question from different academic and professional perspectives. The book is the result of an academic symposium sponsored by Brigham Young University and The Catholic University of America. There is no subject index. Wardle is professor of law at Brigham Young University. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Lynn D. Wardle is the Bruce C. Hafen Professor of Law at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is a past-President (2000-2002) of the International Society of Family Law, now serves on the ISFL Executive Council, and is a member of the American Law Institute.