View of "Family" Continues to Change
Researchers, in a new study from Indiana University and published by the Russell Sage Foundation, say Americans' view of what defines a family has expanded to include same-sex couples with children, as well as married gay and lesbian couples, however, unmarried cohabitating couples (gay or straight) are not considered a family unless they have children.
The study, which also measured respondents' attitudes in 2003 and 2006, noted that the proportion of people who reported having a gay friend or relative increased by 10%, but that Americans were still equally divided on same-sex marriage. "I don't think people are ready to embrace it, but people are ready to accept it," Brian Powell, the lead researcher, told The New York Times.
