understanding and taking account of family diversity and change is essential for policymakers who are concerned for the welfare of families and the women men and children within them in regions where cohabitation has become much more commonplace cohabiting partners still do not always have the same or similar rights as married couples when it comes to social protection inheritance custody and maintenance levelling up to this standard should be a priority for all countries as of may countries and territories have extended the right to marry or partnership recognition to samesex couples see table