scholarly journals Association between marital status and mental health among cohabitating same-sex couples in the UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Hagen ◽  
E Goldmann

Abstract Background A large body of research suggests that the formalisation of opposite-sex relationships is associated with favourable mental health outcomes, particularly among males. Despite the recent introduction of same-sex civil partnership and/or marriage in many countries, there is little evidence as to whether this salutary effect of formalised partnership extends to same-sex couples. Methods Using data from wave 8 (2016-18) of Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), respondents living with a same-sex partner were included in the analytical sample (n = 225). Respondents from Northern Ireland were excluded, as same-sex marriage did not exist there at the time of data collection. Mental health status was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 (range: 0-36) and the established cut-off point of 11/12 to identify psychiatric caseness. The association between marital status (marriage, civil partnership, and cohabitation only) and psychiatric caseness was examined in logistic regression models in the overall sample and stratified by sex. Results A total of 112 respondents (40%) were cohabitating, 81 (40%) were living in civil partnership, and 32 (19%) were married. In bivariable analyses, respondents living in civil partnership had a lower prevalence of psychiatric caseness (30%) than those who were married (50%) or cohabitating only (51%) (p = 0.041). In models adjusted for age, sex, and education, civil partnership was associated with 84% reduced odds of psychiatric caseness (95% CI: 0.39-0.66) compared to cohabitation among females; no statistically significant effect was found for marriage or among males. Conclusions This study provided evidence of a inverse association between civil partnership and psychiatric caseness among females in same-sex couples. Given that same-sex marriage was only introduced in England, Wales, and Scotland in 2014, further research will be needed as more same-sex couples formalise their relationships.

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Thomas

This paper investigates conflicting narratives available to lesbian and gay couples as a result of marriage and civil partnership. Whereas marginalisation may have made stories of exclusion particularly resonant for same-sex couples, marriage and civil partnership offer scope for new stories around inclusion and equality. Drawing on empirical research with married and civil partner same-sex couples in the UK, US and Canada, the paper contrasts couples’ atrocity stories with new stories about acceptance and inclusion. The paper argues that these new stories should be seen as triumph stories that point towards a tangible impact arising from marriage equality and civil partnership. However, the presence of atrocity stories alongside these triumph stories provides evidence of a more limited policy impact. In conclusion, the paper highlights the relevance of atrocity stories in an emerging area of public policy, as well as the likelihood of triumph stories being relevant in other contexts.


2019 ◽  
pp. 92-94
Author(s):  
Jane Sendall ◽  
Roiya Hodgson

This chapter discusses the scope of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA 2004) which came into force on 5 December 2005 and the formation of civil partnerships. It outlines civil partnership and same-sex marriage under The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013. It also explains the differences between civil partnership and marriage. The CPA 2004 enables same-sex couples to form legally recognized civil partnerships. Once a partnership has been formed, civil partners assume many legal rights and responsibilities for each other, third parties, and the State. It does explain that adultery, however, is not a fact to establish the ground for dissolution of a civil partnership as it is in marriage.


Family Law ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 92-94
Author(s):  
Roiya Hodgson

This chapter discusses the scope of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA 2004) which came into force on 5 December 2005 and the formation of civil partnerships. It outlines civil partnership and same-sex marriage under The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013. It also explains the differences between civil partnership and marriage. Once a partnership has been formed, civil partners assume many legal rights and responsibilities for each other, third parties, and the State. It does explain that adultery, however, is not a fact to establish the ground for dissolution of a civil partnership as it is in marriage. The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 are also outlined.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Hayward

OPPOSITE-SEX couples are prohibited from forming a civil partnership. Following the introduction of same-sex marriage, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was not extended to opposite-sex couples, resulting in the unusual position that English law permits same-sex couples access to two relationship forms (marriage and civil partnership) yet limits opposite-sex couples to one (marriage). This discrimination was recently challenged in the courts by an opposite-sex couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who wish to enter a civil partnership owing to their deeply-rooted ideological opposition to marriage. Rejecting marriage as a patriarchal institution and believing that a civil partnership would offer a more egalitarian public expression of their relationship, the couple argued that the current ban constitutes a breach of Article 14 read in conjunction with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.


Author(s):  
Torremans Paul

This chapter examines the power of the courts, both under their inherent jurisdiction and by statute, to make declarations as to marital status. For many years, the courts had statutory power to grant declarations of legitimacy, legitimation, and the validity of a marriage or whether the petitioner is a British subject. However, there was no power to declare the invalidity of a marriage by declaration: that had to be done in nullity proceedings. This chapter discusses the relevant provisions of Part III of the Family Law Act 1986 relating to declarations as to marital status; declarations of parentage, legitimacy, or legitimation; and declarations as to adoptions effected overseas. It also considers the relevant provisions of the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985, Civil Partnership Act 2004, Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, and Presumption of Death Act 2013.


2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (38) ◽  
pp. 289-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Humphreys

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 enables same-sex couples to enter into a status that provides very many of the same rights and responsibilities that married couples have in respect to each other and the wider community. This paper first considers the extent of the legal similarities between civil partnerships and marriage; that is to what extent civil partnerships are 'same-sex marriage' in practical effect. Secondly it considers to what extent the conceptual understanding of civil partnerships within the Act reflects the current conception of marriage within English law; that is the extent to which civil partnerships are 'same-sex marriage' in theory. Thirdly, and finally, some of the specific dilemmas for the Church of England in the light of this are considered.


2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Dion ◽  
Jordi Díez

AbstractLatin America has been at the forefront of the expansion of rights for same-sex couples. Proponents of same-sex marriage frame the issue as related to human rights and democratic deepening; opponents emphasize morality tied to religious values. Elite framing shapes public opinion when frames resonate with individuals’ values and the frame source is deemed credible. Using surveys in 18 Latin American countries in 2010 and 2012, this article demonstrates that democratic values are associated with support for same-sex marriage while religiosity reduces support, particularly among strong democrats. The tension between democratic and religious values is particularly salient for women, people who live outside the capital city, and people who came of age during or before democratization.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-800
Author(s):  
Shawna M. Young

Currently, same-sex couples that are legally married in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage may not be able to divorce if they move to Texas. Of the few cases tried in Texas, most courts refused to grant the samesex divorce because the courts refused to recognize the underlying marriage. Because these couples cannot simply return to the granting state due to most states’ divorce residency requirements, they cannot divorce and face untold issues due to this inability. While Texas does offer the opportunity for the couple to declare the marriage void, declaring the marriage void is not an adequate legal remedy and may not prevent property and other legal issues. Instead, Texas should analyze divorce as implicating rights separate from those implicated by marriage. Based on such analysis, Texas should grant same-sex divorces. While several authors have addressed this issue from a national standpoint, this Comment addresses the issue as it stands in Texas, where a jurisdictional split between the courts of appeals makes it ripe for discussion.


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