For Immediate Release
June 7, 2000

"The National Marriage Project's new report says that views of marriage are changing -- and they're right," says Dorian Solot, Executive Director. "Rather than losing sleep about how to turn back the clock, it's time to recognize and celebrate today's families."

Boston, MA -- The founders of the Alternatives to Marriage Project (AtMP), a national organization that supports unmarried relationships say the National Marriage Project's just-released "State of Our Unions 2000" report is an example of needless hand-wringing.

The report says that marriage plays a less central role today, especially in the lives of twentysomethings. Co-founder Marshall Miller says that's what the Alternatives to Marriage Project has been saying all along.

"The National Marriage Project's report is a perfect example of how marriage-only proponents are out-of-touch with American society," says Miller. "People's views of marriage have changed, as shown by the sheer numbers choosing alternatives and seeking out our organization. The question is, what are we going to do about it? Instead of trying to re-create a time when marriage was the only acceptable way to form a family, it's time to talk about the real needs of the diverse relationships that exist today."

Although the National Marriage Project's report focuses on young people, Solot points out that the whole culture has changed, not just the young. "Traditionalists like to scapegoat the young and accuse them of being misguided. But what is striking about the change in marriage is the way people in every age group, from college students to grandparents, are thinking about how to create relationships that work for them instead of blindly following the marriage path," Solot says.

"For some people, marriage works well, but it isn't the choice for everyone. We have many married supporters who recognize the importance of family diversity, " Miller says.

Through the Alternatives to Marriage Project, Miller and Solot have spoken with thousands of people in unmarried relationships. Contrary to the National Marriage Project's claim of that unmarried relationships have "low commitment," they have found many unmarried people to be very committed to their relationships. "It's the institution of marriage they question, not the relationship," says Solot.

"The reality is, diverse families, including stepfamilies; single-parent families; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender families; and unmarried cohabitors are here to stay," Miller says. "Our challenge as a society is to end prejudice and discrimination so these relationships and families can continue to be healthy and strong."

Click here for more information, including previous reports issued in response to the National Marriage Project.

---