How can controlling definitions control policy and political discourse on such issues as marriage and family?

Question

At least a paragraph, opinionated thoughts

Answer 1

In the public policy world, definitions are everything. In legislation, the words you write have enormous consequence, especially so if you are creating a definition from scratch- how exciting!

To stay with your example but playing adjacent to marriage, the definition of boyfriend or serious dating partner has been contentious for years. These definitions have a bearing on gun laws and if someone can or cannot purchase a firearms from a federal vendor depending on their status as an abuser/assaulter. And one of the reasons it has been hard to define that term 'boyfriend' or 'serious dating partner' is because you have to make sure it captures *exactly* what you are talking about. What are the qualifications or a serious dating partner? How do you define serious? Is it 6 months? 8 months? A child together? I know it sounds ridiculous, but people are complex and our relationships with each other can take many forms and it could be difficult to fully capture that in a term. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed into law this June, created a definition.

FWIW, I worked on Capitol Hill for nearly 6 years and love nerding out on public policy. Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts!