Same-sex marriages last as long as heterosexual marriages as both have similar break-up rates, a new study finds.
The study was conducted by a team of international researchers who surveyed 3,009 couples (471 same-sex) over a period of four years (2009 to 2013). The researchers noted that among couples with marriage-like commitments, same-sex couples had a similar break-up rate as heterosexual couples. Researchers also found that same-sex couples with a marriage-like commitment have stable unions regardless of government recognition.
"The marriage commitment is associated with a strong benefit in couple stability for both heterosexual couples and same-sex couples," said Dr. Michael J. Rosenfeld, lead author of the study, in a press statement.
Same-sex marriage has been a trending topic for many weeks now. In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
"The more liberal justices have been reluctant to press this issue to an up-or-down vote until more of the country experiences gay marriage," said Walter E. Dellinger III, who was an acting United States solicitor general in the Clinton administration, according to NY Times. "Once a substantial part of the country has experienced gay marriage, then the court will be more willing to finish the job."
According to media reports, same-sex weddings took place just hours after the ruling was made in Indianapolis and other communities. A spokeswoman for Marion County Clerk Beth White said the office will issue licenses but not conduct weddings as it did during a three-day window in June after the state law was first struck down as unconstitutional.
"Today is a great day for marriage equality in Indiana," said Paul D. Castillo, lead attorney in the case brought by gay-rights group Lambda Legal, according to Indy Star. "In American history there has never been a comparable social phenomenon that has achieved victory so quickly."
The current study was published online in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
