Princeton Principles - The Ten Principles

The Ten Principles

The 10 principles that summarize the public value of marriage and why society should endorse and support the institution:

• Marriage is a personal union, intended for the whole of life, of husband and wife.

• Marriage is a profound human good, elevating and perfecting our social and sexual nature.

• Ordinarily, both men and women who marry are better off as a result.

• Marriage protects and promotes the wellbeing of children.

• Marriage sustains civil society and promotes the common good.

• Marriage is a wealth-creating institution, increasing human and social capital.

• When marriage weakens, the equality gap widens, as children suffer from the disadvantages of growing up in homes without committed mothers and fathers.

• A functioning marriage culture serves to protect political liberty and foster limited government.

• The laws that govern marriage matter significantly.

• "Civil marriage" and "religious marriage" cannot be rigidly or completely divorced from one another.