Stephan:   It has always been my view that as a social value we should support loving relationships in whatever form they may come, rather than getting hung up on the form, and whether any particular religious ceremony is involved. Partnership is a civil contract. If people wish to also involve a religious ceremony that should be their choice, whatever it is. But the key is the social support of loving relationships. As this report makes clear that is what works, as the research data shows. The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences.