When most people think about marriage in a political context, they think of it as a moral issue like abortion, assisted suicide, or the death penalty. For Republicans, marriage is ordained by God, it is the best environment for raising children, and it is the fundamental building block of civil society. For Democrats, marriage is just one lifestyle option among many, but it is an option that should be equally available to all, regardless of sexual orientation.
To the extent that marriage is thought of as an economic issue, it is usually in the context of how marriage can benefit a person. Married people have a built-in roommate so they can save money on housing. In addition to saving on rent, married couples are often offered lower mortgage rates making it easier for them to buy a house and build wealth.
When it comes to how marriage affects the economy more broadly, a case can be…
