tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1753989558678795592.post1951916775674555969..comments2023-09-01T04:03:50.466-07:00Comments on Speak Now: Member of NSW State Parliament SPEAKS NOWSpeak Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688917472307048935noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1753989558678795592.post-27671714556920275812012-06-12T02:56:27.339-07:002012-06-12T02:56:27.339-07:00Mr Secord, I'd like us to take a closer look a...Mr Secord, I'd like us to take a closer look at those countries that have already introduced SSM. Especially at the state of marriage in those places.<br /><br />So I did a hunt around for some facts on the general divorce rate in those countries that have introduced SSM. I couldn't find any set articles, so I had to do my own digging. <br /><br />As the honorable member states, there are just ten countries that allow full state recognised same sex marriage. And, in all of them, more than one in three of all marriages (same sex or otherwise) in in divorce. <br /><br />Now some of these stats are a bit wobbly. For example, Spain has only recently allowed divorce, so the rate of divorce hasn't really settled down. (Currently, a marriage breaks down every 3.19 minutes - but that can't go on forever.) Anyway, for what it's worth, here's the rate of divorce in those countries which have changed the definition of marriage:<br /><br />Argentina 33%<br />Belgium 64.5%<br />Canada 40.7<br />Iceland 39%<br />Netherlands 41%<br />Norway 43%<br />Portugal 30%<br />Spain 75%<br />South Africa 50%<br />Sweden 50%<br /><br />This is broad stuff. I'm not a statistician. And it doesn't reflect on the blokes (they're all blokes for some reason) I know who are in same sex marriages. But I think it does indicate that same sex marriage isn't a direct expression of cultures with a high view of marriage. I think that's what you see when you look at things the other way - all the countries with low divorce rates (like India, Sri Lanka and Japan) have a traditional understanding of marriage and no plans to introduce SSM.MisterAndrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00842374963893220454noreply@blogger.com