The Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, which essentially legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, was viewed by opponents it as a setback for traditional families. 

Andrew Beckwith, President of the Massachusetts Family Institute not only found the decision disappointing, but says that by striking down marriage laws in states that banned gay marriage the court was going against this country's democratic traditions.

“The court has thrown out the votes of 50 million Americans,” says Beckwith “so legally that’s a huge concern that the court usurps that power of the people to decide this momentous issues for themselves and takes it upon the court with a majority of five individuals.”

Beckwith says it will undermine the traditional family unit in the United States which will only harm children.

“As the latest census and social science data show children growing up without both a mother and a father results in significant social and economic deficits and robs children of a gender balanced home.”

What’s more Beckwith says this will have an even more significant impact on the Southcoast.

“We released a report on fatherless earlier this year and in it, it shows Fall River and New Bedford as two of the hardest hit regions for the decline of the traditional family here in Massachusetts,” says Beckwith.

“That has results in poverty levels, in academic achievement, and crime rates.”

Prior to Friday’s decision 13 states had laws banning gay marriage.

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