The family is an ancient and universal human institution. Family structure refects the characteristics of a civilization, and changes in family structure and in the popular understanding of marriage and the family can have profound effects. Past changes in the understanding of marriage—for example, the gradual ascendance of the idea that romantic love is a prerequisite to marriage—have had far-reaching consequences. But the process by which such consequences come about is complex, involving the interaction of numerous factors, and tends to occur over an extended period of time. We can expect something similar to take place if same-sex marriage becomes widely accepted. The long-term conse quences of this change are not now known and are unlikely to be ascertainable for some time to come.
Samuel Alito Connected to the Carolinas
Source
Dissenting opinion, States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. 744 (2013)
- year
- 2013
Cite this record
“The family is an ancient and universal human institution. Fa…” Samuel Alito. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-ABDB831E27. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/abdb831e27
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