Includes bibliographical references (pages 187-207) and index.
Contents:
Introduction: Marriage equality, an important but limited victory -- The dawn of the domestic partnership, or "we bored them to death" -- Civil unions : not marriage, but an incredible simulation! -- The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act : Colorado's successful experiment -- What is marriage, anyway? : (and what isn't marriage?) -- Matching relationship law to reality.
Summary:
"Today, about one-half of all adults are unmarried. Many of them are in other kinds of significant relationships, yet the law offers them few protections. Although a few states have created nonmarital relationship statuses, they fall far short of the kind of comprehensive structures needed to recognize and protect. John Culhane offers a comprehensive approach to satisfying the needs of this vast population of unmarried adults. Using a narrative approach that resulted from in-depth interviews, he gives voice to the many couples inadequately served by existing law. Their stories provide living evidence of the need for the law to extend its reach to those who are inadequately protected-or not protected at all"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.