It is also nature’s way to provide for the preservation of the species, both in reproduction and in the fully human nurture and development of children.

Marriage is also the foundation of the common good of the community.

The collapse of so many marriages under the assaults of the self-centred modern world is the cause of the destruction of so much of the common good that should be the cohesive social capital of society.

There have been many large and long-term studies of children from birth to adulthood that show children of stable marriages are far better off by every measure in their own wellbeing and in social relationships at all stages, than the children of cohabitation or broken marriages.

It is high time for us in Australia to acknowledge the truth of what is going on in our society by the persistent pounding of the media and the pandering to the young and weak of easy access to the false pleasures of porn, booze, drugs, sex, speed, greed and violence.

And all in the name of the toxic “freedom of choice” to do what we feel like — which is really to become slaves to passion and destroy stable marriages and healthy family life.

— JOHN CARTY,

Goornong