Did you miss where I said in my post my husband and I suffer from infertility? I assure you I know more intimately about both adoption and advanced reproductive technology than most people (and by the way, it's been a heartbreaking several years, so I'd appreciate it, if you care to continue this discussion, that you spare me the sarcasm).
I've learned through talking to many others afflicted with infertility that there are some people for whom fertility technology cannot work. There are also many reasons that preclude some people from adopting. It's a long, messy, bureaucratic process, and not everyone gets approved. So how do you propose to deal with the sad group of people who want children, but have exhausted all avenues in vain? Will you de-marry then? If not, how do you justify not doing so?
My wife works in an in vitro clinic at Stanford. The sarcastic response on my part you earned inferring that my prposal would force childless couples to divorce. With as careful as that proposal was, you should have read it a little more carefully.
I've learned through talking to many others afflicted with infertility that there are some people for whom fertility technology cannot work.
That's true, but don't you think you should talk with an honest and qualified specialist? Need a referral?
There are also many reasons that preclude some people from adopting. It's a long, messy, bureaucratic process, and not everyone gets approved. So how do you propose to deal with the sad group of people who want children, but have exhausted all avenues in vain?
First, fix those "avenues," which larglely exist for the benefit of the poverty, race, and child welfare pimps (particularly by removing restrictions on interracial adoption). Second, there are other avenues to adoption besides the state, particularly as regards children from abroad.
Will you de-marry then? If not, how do you justify not doing so?
There is no tax, survivorship, or medical benefit distinction between married couples intending to raise kids and the life partnerships I envision. The distinction only applies to whether they raise kids. Thus, if you got married with the intent to have kids under that proposal, and then didn't succeed or chose not to have children and couldn't adopt, NOTHING would happen. NOTHING would change. If you chose to get divorced, the life partnership standards would apply to the dissolution.