Marriage, for years has been argued that the rights to it or strictly only between a man and a women. Both sexes are assumed to marry someone of the opposite sex. What if, however, an individual wanted to marry someone of the same sex? Why is this debate so heavily heated amongst individuals? Is it that religion is a large structure base that those in society are guided by? Or is it that individuals do not understand that marriage is a union between two individuals who are in love? Whatever the case may be, there is always someone who has to argue that homosexual marriage is “wrong.” Sam Schulman argues that homosexual marriage is about the duties or roles that these couples perform that would be different from that of heterosexual couples. In his article Gay Marriage -- and Marriage the author directs his argument towards those who are "passionately and instinctively opposed to the idea of homosexual marriage" (Schulman, 2003). Schulman blames legalization of homosexual marriage as the cause for the possible permission of incest. However, this is like saying that if marijuana were to be legalized, it will lead to the acceptance of cocaine. Even when homosexuals do achieve their legal rights, currently only given to heterosexual married couples; it will not give rise to the legalization of incestuous relationships and incestuous marriages. Legalizing gay marriage will not pose any threat to the structure of society. Society is created with both homosexual and heterosexual individuals. Previously when certain laws discriminated against others, such as law for women's rights to vote, these laws were changed. Changing the traditions of the country does not mean that it will lead to the legalization of other extreme issues. Each ... ... middle of paper ... ...an and they deserve equal treatment and protection under the law. In conclusion his article is highly ineffective due to his illogical arguments. While many of his hypotheses may be readily accepted by the audience, his attempt to reason others his approach is faulty. While his goal of empowering others with his same beliefs might be effective, he still misses with persuasion. Schulman's argument could be strengthened if he removes the statements regarding female sexuality in marriage as well as contraceptives. Finally he should actually discuss the view points of those who support homosexual marriage, not simply the views of those who are against it. Works Cited Shulman, Sam. "Sam Shulman -- Gay Marriage -- and Marriage." OrthodoxyToday.org |. Commentary Magazine, Nov. 2003. Web. 31 May 2010. .
Gay marriage further damages the connection between marriage and parenthood by causing people to not consider marriagement just to be a parent. He later on argues that marriage has been a tradition since the beginning of time and everything supports it. “The family, led by a married mother and father, is the best available structure for both child rearing and cultural health. This is why, although some people will always pair off in unorthodox ways, society as a whole must never legitimize any form of marriage other than that of one man and one woman, united with the intention of permanency and the nurturing of children” (Colson
A debate is raging in America about who people have a right to marry. In response to lesbians and gays asking for the right to marry, many legislators are writing laws to ban same-sex marriage in their respective states. Even President Bush supports a Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage (prez.bush.marriage/). Opponents of such legislation do not want discrimination passed into law and are protesting at every opportunity. One must understand the reasons that people want to ban same-sex marriage before he or she can effectively argue about the subject. Many advocates of same-sex marriage bans say that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would degrade the institution of marriage because marriage is only supposed to exist between a man and woman. In addition, allowing same-sex marriage would cause problems for society (Issues and Controversies on File). One theory why opponents may fight against same-sex marriages is that heterosexual marriages have long reinforced traditional gender roles within marriage and that allowing same-sex marriages would cause males to lose their authority to subordinate females as heterosexual couples begin to model same-sex marriage gender equality (Calhoun 157).
When it comes to marriage and our society, most people believe it to be a part of life. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of gay marriage. Whereas some are convinced that marriage should be between a man and a woman, others
Newton, D. E. (2010). Same-sex Marriage : A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group.
The world today is surrounded with many controversial issues. One such issue would be the topic of gay marriage. This country has grown around one major tradition, being the definition of marriage. It’s more-less looked at as a religious or legal commitment between a women and man, to express their love and compassion towards one another, being the last and final step there is to take with that significant other. Homosexual relationships are rapidly gaining acceptance in this country. However, the Defensive of Marriage Act, that former president Clinton signed in 1996, is holding many back from being able to marry what could be the significant other of their dreams. Homosexuality effects from 8% to 15% of all males, as well as females being slightly less than the male population. To put this in a more familiar context, there are as many gays and lesbians in America today as there are unemployed citizens. There are a few states which formed a type of commitment called a "civil union", which basically is marriage without using the word "marriage." Gay couples are denied significant rights when they are not allowed to marry, and these result in injustices within society. Most carry the burden of hiding their sexual identity for fear of being disrespected or mistreated by the general population who remain ignorant to the causes and circumstances of homosexuality. This puzzles many due to the excess amount of investigative work that has been done on the phenomenon, as well as puzzling the church as to who would want to look into the concept in such a sinful matter.
The issue of gay marriage needs little introduction as it is one of the most widely contended and discussed topics in the United States of America. While the issue is relatively recent one has to question why this is even an issue to begin with. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Arguments come from both religious groups, as well as secular focused sources. Reasoning against gay marriage ranges from religious immorality, to the idea that giving gays the right to marry would support minoritarianism (giving minority special privileges and advantages in either a legislative or societal capacity). There are countless arguments besides those mentioned, few of which have any substantial grounds to stand on. Gay marriage causes no political or communal grief, except for those who strongly oppose it now. Even for those people gay people exist either way. Whether they are married or not will not change that and their lives will not be dramatically changed from it. Gay marriage has no valid reason to be outlawed and there are plenty of reasons to allow it.
Kolasinski begins his debate with the notion that “marriage is not a universal right.” He states that a majority of states ban many people from marrying one another – including first cousins, blood relatives, and people with venereal diseases. Although these statements hold true, the United States did not allow other “traditional” or “normal” marriages. For example, in the 1960’s, the government would not allow interracial marriages. This exemplifies how the government and the majority can sometimes be tyrannical or even wrong. Obviously, two heterosexuals of different races can marry without any government opposition. Although marriage...
...uction created through inhumane mistakes and violating the rights of whole literary genre of people out of pure ignorance and fearfulness . Dean Martin Luther Riley B King, Jr . Once said, “Unjustness anywhere is a scourge to justice everywhere.” Though we have come a long way in correcting our wrong-doings of our violent chronicle, we still have many milepost to interbreeding before we could ever call ourselves the “demesne of the free people .” Allowing gay marriage would be a positive whole step in the right centering by supporting our citizen’s rights and by helping them to pursue to lives of exemption we have all been promised, all the while strengthening our economy and the togetherness of our country. Unjustness towards gays is injustice towards human beings. We need to learn to come together through our similarity and check exploiting each other’s dispute.
Becker, Joe. "A Conservative’s Road to Same-Sex Marriage Advocacy." New York Times 18 Aug. 2009: 1-3. Print.
Johnston, R. (2013). Marriage and the Metaphysics of Bodily Union: Framing the Same-Sex Marriage Debate. Social Theory and Practice, Vol. 39, No. 2 (April 2013): 288-312 DOI: 10.5840/soctheorpract201339216.
The word ‘marriage’ means a legal union only between one man and one woman as husband and wife. It is noteworthy that this definition has stood the tests of time, Chaucer talked about it in the 14th century, even though equal rights for all has been a value human society has upheld so often because this traditional definition of marriage undercuts the axiom of equal rights by debarring homosexuals from being bonded by the institution of marriage. Gay marriage critics argue that a major reason for discouraging same-sex marriage is to protect the rights of children. They claim that homosexual couples cannot naturally have children and, therefore, they should not be allowed to legally marry. While on the other hand, supporters claim that homosexual couples can have and nurture children, even if they cannot have their own biological children. The critics of gay marriage are wrong and in what follows I will show how their arguments fail.
Sam Schulman’s “The Worst Thing About Gay Marriage” presents an interesting argument against gay marriage that hinges upon maintaining a traditional form of marriage. He actually claims that gay marriage is “unnecessary”(381). According to Schulman, there are 4 primary effects of marriage within his definition he calls the kinship system. First, marriage protects and controls a woman’s sexuality. Second, the possible pairings are limited by the kinship system to avoid incest or other taboos. Third, marriage creates a situation where licit sex can occur. Fourth, it places a clear divide between childhood innocence and adult, married, life. All of which is in addition to maintaining a standard family hierarchy, in which a marriage almost forcibly pulls two family together and creates a structure for children to be brought up in. He also presents a variety of shaky arguments with the general point that gay marriage does not and can’t have “the authority and majesty of the kinship system”(383). Since he sees gay marriage as entirely rooted in the relationship between two people, and he dismisses that as a minor part of the institution of marriage, he predicts this kind of marriage will disappear and will only be remembered with a laugh.
The author concludes that if society stops being so binary about gay marriage and same sex relations have the same privileges and benefits as a straight marriage, it might bridge the gap between gays and their parents. “It could do as much to heal the gay-straight rift as any amount of gay rights legislation (pg.491)”. I mean who wants to feel like they’re in outsider just because of their choice on sexuality and the family want have the traditional type of family. After all everybody wants to have a family and have their family by them for support when making this life changing
... made groups of people have a very hostile attitude toward the subject matter. The traditional view of marriage is also important because it influences future generations and teaches children the meaning of the special union of a man and a woman. Many people also argue that when raising a child he or she should be raised by a father and a mother. Not both of the same sex. Although the debate of same-sex marriage may not affect some people, this is a hot topic that has changed the opinion of many people around the world. The topic of same-sex marriage is a subject that needs to be discusses by individuals who are certain of what they stand for and are capable of providing others with true and convincing arguments.
In recent years, same-sex marriage has become a more controversial topic on whether it’s right or wrong. People should not feel coerced to agree with something they believe is wrong; clearly, same-sex marriage is immoral and unnatural. Many complications come with same-sex marriages including financial pressures, social pressures, moral pressures, and health risks.