06-21-2003, 06:31 PM
"what's the difference between people cohabiting and a family?" And I suggest the answer is "Children!"
Nope, I gotta disagree there. "Children" is too limiting. Your answer was in your question- "Family".
Here's an example for permitting a couple to be recognized as "Family", or married, whichever you want:
My brother got married again in November, at 62 years old. His blushing bride was 60 at the time. Although the chances of their having kids together is about zero, they were an ideal candidate for marriage. I have not seen him so happy in years.
This month, he went into a diabetic coma and was in Intensive Care for over a week. None of the doctors expected him to live. His wife was with him almost constantly, and when she couldn't be there one of the other family members was. And, there it is: Family.
If they had not gotten married, she would not have been allowed in to the ICU to visit, let alone stay with him 20 hours a day. Family members only, you know? I'm sure that he would not have lived if it had not been for her.
To deny someone the right to join a family is to deny a basic human right. Some people are made to be together, and sex shouldn't have anything to do with it. If "marriage" as the government officially defines it is the joining together of a family, that's good enough. What is the alternative, adoption?
-rcv-
Nope, I gotta disagree there. "Children" is too limiting. Your answer was in your question- "Family".
Here's an example for permitting a couple to be recognized as "Family", or married, whichever you want:
My brother got married again in November, at 62 years old. His blushing bride was 60 at the time. Although the chances of their having kids together is about zero, they were an ideal candidate for marriage. I have not seen him so happy in years.
This month, he went into a diabetic coma and was in Intensive Care for over a week. None of the doctors expected him to live. His wife was with him almost constantly, and when she couldn't be there one of the other family members was. And, there it is: Family.
If they had not gotten married, she would not have been allowed in to the ICU to visit, let alone stay with him 20 hours a day. Family members only, you know? I'm sure that he would not have lived if it had not been for her.
To deny someone the right to join a family is to deny a basic human right. Some people are made to be together, and sex shouldn't have anything to do with it. If "marriage" as the government officially defines it is the joining together of a family, that's good enough. What is the alternative, adoption?
-rcv-