Same Sex Marriage free essay sample

One of the most controversial issues in the United States today is same-sex marriage. As our society boasts on equality and equal opportunity, same-sex couples have yet to them. I am against same-sex marriage. I firmly believe that a domestic relationship between two people of the same sex could be fine, but marriages should remain between a man and a woman. Gay marriage has slowly become a significant factor amongst individuals of today’s society. Similarly, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing position of ‘against’ gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of procreation. In reference to this, everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of gender, thus it should be socially acceptable. However, this is why it is significant to discuss both sides of the argument, regardless of if you are ‘for’ or ‘against’ gay marriage in society. We will write a custom essay sample on Same Sex Marriage or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Traditionally, it has been the parents teaching their children the â€Å"birds and the bees† and setting down the â€Å"do’s† and â€Å"don’ts† of sexual behavior. In the world we live in today this instruction is completely obsolete. Children will receive various information and impressions related to sexual behavior from their everyday experiences whether their parents know it or not. The television is a major contributor in teaching the children more and more about their sexuality unlike their unprepared parents. Sexuality will influence the pattern of an individual’s life within the family and also in society. There are two kinds of marriages, civil and religious marriages. Over time, marriage has changed in many ways. In the Western civilization, marriage has been the union of a man to a woman. This union between them is a life-long commitment to one another. With the marriage of a man to a woman, there are various rights and responsibilities that come with the marriage. However, now by allowing gay marriages, it would weaken the respect of marriage and the traditional values of families. There are currently only eight states, including the District of Columbia, that allow domestic partnerships. These few states that have legalized same-sex marriages are not considered a marriage, but a civil union. Civil unions only offer some of the rights as marriages but on a state level. When it comes to filing taxes the civil unions are not recognized by the government, meaning the couples cannot file joint-tax returns. The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, prohibits the recognition of same-sex unions. Same-sex couples want to have the same rights as other couples do. They believe that since heterosexual couples can legally be married to show their love for one another, homosexual couples should have the same rights and they feel it is their duty to our society to be legally married. â€Å"Research has shown that marriage provides substantial psychological and physical health benefits due to the moral, economic and social support extended to married couples. Conversely, recent empirical evidence has illustrated the harmful psychological effect of policies restricting marriage rights for same-sex couples. Additionally, children raised by same-sex couples have been shown to be on par with the children of opposite-sex couples in their psychological adjustment, cognitive abilities and social functioning† . Same-sex marriage would decrease Sexually Transmitted Diseases because homosexuals would be interested in long-term relationships and be committed to one person. Sexually transmitted diseases are higher in gay men than lesbians, but all around higher in same-sex couples indefinitely. Making same-sex marriage legal will help them stay in a committed relationship and give up that type of lifestyle. Thus not legalizing same-sex marriage is not helping at all. The AIDS epidemic stirred up many questions and brought public attention on a range of issues surrounding gay and lesbian rights. Legalizing same-sex marriages may help prevent aids. If two people are in a marriage then they are less apt to have many sexual partners and will help stop the spread of AIDS. Other people feel that same-sex marriages are not a proper place to raise children. This is a false statement because there are many people who have children and procreate that should not have that right. For instance, murderers, child molesters, drug and alcohol addicts are all free to procreate and raise children and homosexuals are not. This does not make sense. If a person can raise a child and give them love, shelter, food and other necessary resources to raise a child, then they should be given the right to raise a child. Just because a child has more than one mother or father does not mean that they are going to grow up gay or have emotional problems. By allowing same-sex marriages, it would increase the adoption rates. Since same-sex couples cannot pro-create, their only option is to adopt. Seeing as men and women who are married have families of their own, they have no reason to adopt unless there is a medical reason behind it. Thus adoption rates would increase because of the same-sex couples. The traditional building blocks to a family are a man, woman, and children. The gender roles of this family would be obvious. In a same-sex couple however, the gender roles would be confusing to children and it would be difficult for children to grasp the meaning of a traditional family. In accordance with scientific research, the American Psychological Association (APA) claims that there are should be no concerns with same sex marriages. It is not just a violation of privacy and an act of discrimination against other people, but there are also no scientific bases that prove that it contributes to an improper development of children. â€Å"Furthermore, such couples do not fundamentally differ from heterosexual couples in their satisfaction with their relationships. The research suggests that there is no scientific reason to discriminate against lesbian and gay couples† . Two authors that are arguing the topic of same-sex marriage are Andrew Sullivan and William Bennett. Sullivan is all for legalizing same-sex marriage, but Bennett on the other-hand is against it. Sullivan, a happily gay married man, talks about accepting gay marriage in his article entitled, â€Å"Let Gays Marry. † Bennett however, writes about two points that divide opinions on same-sex marriage in his article entitled, â€Å"Leave Marriage Alone. † â€Å"People ask us why we want the right to marry, but the answer is obvious. Its the same reason anyone wants the right to marry† (Sullivan). This statement made by Sullivan explains that same-sex couples simply have the same desires at other couples. It seems easy to accept these opinions but because marriage has strictly been between and man and a woman for so long in our society, it is actually very difficult. In Bennett’s article, he states the two dividing points of homosexual marriage. â€Å"The first is whether legally recognizing same-sex unions would strengthen or weaken the institution. The second has to do with the basic understanding of marriage itself† . If we included homosexual union in the definition of marriage, the tradition of marriage would be changed. Bennett asks how we can consider those who want to marry their own children or more than one person. The definition we learn in this society is marriage is that a man and a woman love, respect, and help each other. Bennett believes that with this definition that has been taught in American history it will not be easily changed and we should respect this thought. Basically what Sullivan wants is the right of the human being and Bennett just focuses on marriage. Same-sex couples may want to get married for many reasons, but there are several valid points as to why they should be allowed. It is not just based on wanting to be able to wed, but why they actually should get the opportunity to. People may argue that if gay marriage is legalized it will cost more money for taxpayers. However, this is an inaccurate statement. In fact, by allowing gay marriage to be legal it can save money since marriage would require them to assume legal responsibility. It has been supported through studies and shown that gay marriage can affect taxpayers positively. Another reason same-sex couples should be allowed the right to marry is so they can have a chance to be happy like any other couple. If an individual is unable to wed the person they want, then they will not be satisfied. So, why not allow them to marry a person they truly care for and live out a successful life, which is the true significance of marrying a person is. Legalizing same-sex marriage will not affect anybody; it will only allow homosexuals to have the right to marry like heterosexual couples. Many people say if gay marriage is accepted it will have an overall effect on a variety of things. One of the many controversial topics regarding same-sex marriage is, it goes against religious beliefs. However, if two people of the same gender want to marry, it does not require any religions to actually do the ceremony. For those who see gay marriage as not following religion should also think about the subject of divorce. Many people believe marriage is special and should occur when two people feel they are soul mates. On the contrary, most marriages end in divorce and a second marriage can often occur. Gay marriage cannot affect religion; people are still entitled to their own beliefs. They may not agree with the idea but as long as their not betraying the way they have been taught, it should not matter. Another point people tend to use to persuade people against same-sex marriage is, by allowing it the idea of marriage is destroyed and made meaningless. Some even believe that it will make marrying somebody a â€Å"free for all†. Marriage is still going to be the highest way to be committed to another person and nothing can change that fact. Whether it is a heterosexual or homosexual couple wanting to marry, the intentions are for the same reason, they want to spend the rest of their lives committed to their spouse. The suggestion that the state has no real interest in marriage is a stunning repudiation of the unique contributions of heterosexual marriage to society, to the state, and to the individual. The marriage of a man and woman has long been favored because it provides the most favorable setting in which to conceive and raise children. Children, moreover, are the most numerous victims of the current cultural disintegration of marriage. Indeed, the impoverishment of children has been shown to be a direct result of changed in family structure that have undermined and destabilized marriage over the past three decades. To halt this trend the law should clearly and unequivocally convey the message that the best interest of a child demands both a mother and a father. In an era where fathers are abandoning their children in unprecedented numbers and where mothers are opting to parent without the support of a husband, it would be irresponsible to adopt a marital policy which sends the misleading message that a mother and a father are not both important to the welfare of children. All children long to connect emotionally with their parents, especially their same-sex parent. This relationship is a vital part in the process of growing to feel complete and secure as males and females. The prohibition of same-sex marriage does not constitute gender discrimination. Marriage is the oldest equal-rights institution officially recognized in law. By requiring a male and a female for every union, marriage laws send a clear message regarding the equal worth and equal importance of both genders to the most important institution in our legal system. In both substance and symbol, a marriage union composed exclusively of a male and female not only creates a complementary relationship of unique strength an benefit to the spouses themselves, to children, and to society, but it provides a critical object lesson in equality, mutuality, and the value of gender cooperation for the rising generation that unions of two persons of the same gender cannot duplicate. In the end, there are always going to be people who support and oppose same-sex marriage. Whether they agree or disagree with if it should be legalized or not is their own opinion. They can take it from a religious point of view where homosexuality is a sin or from the literal level of times are changing and people have come to accept same-sex marriage. Either way, people are going to do what they want because they love that person. However, I still believe the home is the best place for children to develop ideas and attitudes about the role of men and women in family. The roles that should be taught to our children will help to eliminate the controversial issue of same-sex marriage.