On Tuesday South Carolina voters will have the opportunity to amend this state's constitution to define marriage as a lawful union between one man and one woman. This amendment surely will pass by an overwhelming majority -- as it should.

The traditional family structure serves our society best. Indeed, it is the foundation of our society. Children thrive in a stable home with loving parents who nurture their growth, provide for their well-being and raise them to be productive adults.

While many traditional marriages fail, our society certainly would not reinforce this institution by expanding the definition of marriage. That would create new cracks in the foundation of marriage, and it undoubtedly would lead to even more attempts to redefine marriage.

Tuesday's constitutional amendment is an understandable reaction on the part of this state. If marriage is redefined in our country, that action most certainly will come from an activist judiciary, not from elected legislators who are accountable to the people. South Carolina's elected leadership, including Attorney General Henry McMaster, are convinced that a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage will be less vulnerable to a judicial assault than the state law passed 10 years ago.

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McMaster, who is the honorary chairman of the group urging a "yes" vote on Tuesday, said the constitutional amendment will not take away any right that a gay person now has in South Carolina. Binding agreements, such as wills or power-of-attorney documents, will continue to afford legal protection to same-sex couples.

In addition, Amendment 1 makes clear that it does not prohibit companies from offering "contracts or other legal instruments" to domestic unions other than those between one man and one woman. In short, the companies that now provide benefits to domestic partners will be able to continue, and other companies have the right to offer such benefits, too.

To the credit of both sides of this most highly emotional issue, the campaigns for and against the so-called "marriage amendment" have been conducted with honor and integrity. Those most prominently associated with the "vote yes" campaign have avoided personally attacking or condemning people who desperately want this amendment to fail. That's as it should be because this state is home to many gay residents who work hard and make significant contributions to our communities.