Out-of-wedlock Births Hit Record High
One of the big claims religious conservatives make in their opposition to Marriage Equality, and gay rights in general, is that “gays” are trying to “redefine marriage” and change the meaning of “family.” GLBTQ activists counter that the definition of family and of marriage are now, and have always been evolving terms that change as society changes. The linked article below explores one aspect of that larger social change- out-of-wedlock births.
Nearly 40 percent of babies born in the United States in 2007 were delivered by unwed mothers, according to data released last month by the National Center for Health Statistics. The 1.7 million out-of-wedlock births, of 4.3 million total births, marked a more than 25 percent jump from five years before.
When evaluating numbers like this- 40% of all babies born in the US- it is a wonder why religious or social conservatives are so worried about gay marriage and gay adoption. The shear number of GLBTQ people pales when compared to the larger heterosexual majority. But perhaps that is also a part of the answer. The religious/social conservatives can’t demonize or “other” heterosexuals as effectively as they can GLBTQ people. Othering is a process of excluding or stigmatizing people. Without this ease of stigmatization. social conservatives have no way to confront or rally against social changes among heterosexuals that are the real factors changing marriage and the traditional notion of family. GLBTQ people are easy targets even if they pose no, or little
But the truth is this: the notions of family, parenting, and marriage are changing by the society  as a whole. It is not the result of GLBTQ people specifically, but the reality that change itself is inevitable.
This is a really good article, hope you enjoy it.
Out-of-wedlock births hit record high – CNN.com.
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