Slow marriage cycle, author advises

A conservative view of the gay marriage debate, and the debate over marriage in general.

Last update: April 24, 2009 - 4:19 PM

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THE MARRIAGE-GO-ROUND

By: Andrew J. Cherlin.

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 288 pages, $25.95

Review: A conservative view of the gay marriage debate, and the debate over marriage in general.

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Gov. David Paterson of New York believes that same-sex marriage is a matter of individual liberty and recently introduced legislation to legalize it, comparing the effort to the abolition of slavery.

Andrew Cherlin, an expert on family sociology, has a different view.

In his persuasive new book, "The Marriage-Go-Round: The State of Marriage and the Family in America Today," Cherlin suggests that the momentum toward same-sex marriage has been fueled largely by a competing set of cultural ideals. In no other Western nation, he says, do people so equally and separately value both the marriage contract and individualism. And in no other Western nation does the government get involved in supporting both. These ideals, he says, are at odds; gay marriage is merely the latest and most heated expression of this.

These cultural contradictions have led to a cycle of churning in American households -- marriage, divorce, live-in partner, remarriage, repeat -- what Cherlin calls the "marriage-go-round."

Cherlin recommends policies that encourage stability, even if that means men and women remain single. We should slow down, he says, because marriage in and of itself doesn't necessarily lead to a better life for parents or children.

JOHN STOEHR

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Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.