David Blankenhorn
Encyclopedia
David Blankenhorn is the founder and president of the Institute for American Values
and the author of The Future of Marriage and Fatherless America.
in 1977; he was also awarded a Master's Degree, with distinction, in Comparative Social History from University of Warwick
in Coventry. Blankenhorn served as a VISTA volunteer and was involved in community organizing. Blankenhorn founded the Institute for American Values, a nonpartisan think tank whose stated mission is to "study and strengthen key American values", in 1987. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed Blankenhorn to serve on the National Commission on America's Urban Families. Blankenhorn helped to found the National Fatherhood Initiative
, a nonpartisan organization focused on responsible fatherhood, in 1994. As of 2007, Blankenhorn has written "scores of op-ed pieces and essays, co-edited eight books and written two." Blankenhorn identifies as a liberal Democrat.
Blankenhorn and his wife Raina are the parents of three children, and they reside in New York City
.
in Perry v. Schwarzenegger
by the proponents of California Proposition 8 (2008)
, a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of opposite-sex couples. On cross-examination
by David Boies
, Blankenhorn stated that marriage's "rule of two people" is not violated by polygamy
, because "Even in instances of a man engaging in polygamous marriage, each marriage is separate. He — one man marries one woman." During questioning, Blankenhorn stated "I believe that adopting same-sex marriage would be likely to improve the well-being of gay and lesbian households and their children." In his decision filed on August 4, 2010, Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Blankenhorn was not qualified as an expert witness, and that his testimony was "unreliable and entitled to essentially no weight."
Institute for American Values
The Institute for American Values is a neo-liberal and socially conservative organization in the United States.-Overview:Its president is David Blankenhorn. It has influenced both liberal and conservative politicians. It has been critical of divorce and out-of-wedlock childbirth. It supports...
and the author of The Future of Marriage and Fatherless America.
Biography
Blankenhorn received a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies, magna cum laude, from Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1977; he was also awarded a Master's Degree, with distinction, in Comparative Social History from University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
in Coventry. Blankenhorn served as a VISTA volunteer and was involved in community organizing. Blankenhorn founded the Institute for American Values, a nonpartisan think tank whose stated mission is to "study and strengthen key American values", in 1987. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed Blankenhorn to serve on the National Commission on America's Urban Families. Blankenhorn helped to found the National Fatherhood Initiative
National Fatherhood Initiative
The National Fatherhood Initiative is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization that aims to improve the well-being of children through the promotion of responsible fatherhood...
, a nonpartisan organization focused on responsible fatherhood, in 1994. As of 2007, Blankenhorn has written "scores of op-ed pieces and essays, co-edited eight books and written two." Blankenhorn identifies as a liberal Democrat.
Blankenhorn and his wife Raina are the parents of three children, and they reside in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Perry v. Schwarzenegger testimony
Blankenhorn was presented to the court as an expert witnessExpert witness
An expert witness, professional witness or judicial expert is a witness, who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialised knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially and legally...
in Perry v. Schwarzenegger
Perry v. Schwarzenegger
Perry v. Schwarzenegger is a federal lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California challenging the federal constitutionality of Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot initiative that amended the California Constitution to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples,...
by the proponents of California Proposition 8 (2008)
California Proposition 8 (2008)
Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections...
, a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of opposite-sex couples. On cross-examination
Cross-examination
In law, cross-examination is the interrogation of a witness called by one's opponent. It is preceded by direct examination and may be followed by a redirect .- Variations by Jurisdiction :In...
by David Boies
David Boies
David Boies is an American lawyer and chairman of the law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner. He has been involved in various high-profile cases in the United States.-Early life and education:...
, Blankenhorn stated that marriage's "rule of two people" is not violated by polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
, because "Even in instances of a man engaging in polygamous marriage, each marriage is separate. He — one man marries one woman." During questioning, Blankenhorn stated "I believe that adopting same-sex marriage would be likely to improve the well-being of gay and lesbian households and their children." In his decision filed on August 4, 2010, Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Blankenhorn was not qualified as an expert witness, and that his testimony was "unreliable and entitled to essentially no weight."