Catharine Pakington reviews ‘The Marriage Files’ by Patricia Morgan (Wilberforce Publications, 2014).

I read this book with interest since we live in a time when once-accepted norms about sexual identity, marriage and the family face constant challenge. Until recently, there was an agreed understanding of the definition and role of marriage – but no longer.

Dr Patricia Morgan, a leading sociologist and respected family policy analyst, has brought careful research together on the subject in this scholarly yet readable book, well-supported with extensive references. It was not a quick read but I found that it answered many of my questions and made evidence on the matter accessible.

A Long-Term Perspective

Morgan assesses the historic contribution that marriage, with its responsibility for the procreation and education of children, has made to the stability of society.

Once upon a time, the Government defended marriage on principle - but since no-fault divorce was introduced in 1969/70, marriage has steadily been undermined. Today, this vital biblical institution has been ‘re-defined’, continues to be in decline and faces attack from all major political parties with a tax and welfare system that penalises couples living together.

Dr Patricia Morgan has brought careful research together on the institution of marriage in this scholarly yet readable book.

Throughout the book, Morgan looks critically at evidence from different studies, assessing the extent to which it supports the clear agenda that has been progressed over recent decades. Importantly, we are given the opportunity to test this evidence out for ourselves, so that we can recognise unfounded slogans and distorted statistics when we see them.

Focus on the Children

A particular focus of Morgan’s scholarly research is how the huge changes wrought over recent years have impacted children – whose welfare has largely been forgotten in the clamour for ‘equality’ and ‘rights’.

Repeated studies from different nations confirm that, on average, children thrive best when growing up in an intact, heterosexual marriage with their two biological parents. This also benefits the parents and is good for wider society; for example, marriage is the greatest factor in reducing crime in men.

Morgan outlines the advantages of conjugal marriage as compared to other environments for raising children, and considers why it faces such antipathy, being labelled as patriarchal and outdated.

Shifting Battlegrounds

Finally, Morgan looks in depth at studies supportive of same-sex ‘marriage’, which are often quoted to show public support for such unions or to suggest positive outcomes for children brought into these families. She allows us to consider how the studies have been conducted and how reliable they really are.

She also looks ahead as the campaign continues through educational policies and manipulation of the media to normalise all kinds of relationships. We are told that the LGBT lobby seeks equality, but what we see are the interests of a small minority eclipsing the interests of all others.

A particular focus is how the huge changes wrought over recent years have impacted children, whose wellbeing has often been forgotten.

Indeed, the battleground is moving from combating homophobia to the overthrow of ‘heteronormality’, so all believe that there is nothing special about a male-female family unit. Meanwhile, as the differences between male and female are denied, so fathers are marginalised, mothers are expected to work and childcare becomes the domain of the State.

Looking to the Future

We need to be aware not just of the upheaval taking place in our society but also of the implications for the children caught up in this great social experiment. What are the consequences going to be for future generations?

Morgan’s book is invaluable for its observations as well as for its provision of factual evidence. Well recommended for those who are interested in learning more about this issue.

‘The Marriage Files: The Purpose, Limits and Fate of Marriage’ (276pp) is available for £10.99 (paperback) on Amazon. Also available on Kindle.