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Chaucer's opinions on marriage
Different cultural beliefs about marriage
Traditional marriage values
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“[He] writ in his dotage that women kan nat kepe hir marriage” - Chaucer, 1395 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. The following is a common gay marriage critic’s argument: 1. Homosexual couples cannot naturally have children 2. Only couples that can naturally have children should be legally allowed to marry 3. Therefore, gay marriage should be illegal An argument is sound when it is valid and has all true premises. The legitimacy of the first premise depends on what context it is taken in. If taken in its individual sense, that gay people just by themselves cannot naturally have biological children, then the first premise stands some contradiction. However, gay people can have babies through natural processes like insemination or adoption. There are a large number of orphans who need the essentials of life, including but not limited ... ... middle of paper ... ...prerequisite for marriage. Additionally, such a law would be the true enactment of the principle of equality, about which the human society has been so vocal and rightly so. Moreover, religion is not an authority on what a person should do and who they should like and commit to and evoking the religion argument has usually cost the society more than it has profited it. Lastly, there is a socio-economic aspect of this notion from which the entire society and not just a subsection of it will benefit. Today countries are experimenting with laws on marijuana usage, freedom of speech and where do draw the line. It is high time, then, that a section of the society that has always been kept on the margins be given its due rights and that future generations do not rise from the ashes of hypocritical equality but stand on solid foundations of egalitarianism and impartiality.
...s. While this will not please all, I believe it would please majority and that would result in a more peaceful and harmonious structure to unions of marriage.
One argument that opponents use is that homosexual sex is “unnatural.” If the definition of unnatural means something unusual, homosexual sex could be considered unnatural, however, this is completely untrue. Some people claim homosexuality is immoral because animals do not practice homosexuality. The fact is, there are certain animals that do practice homosexuality, and therefore, that argument is invalid.
“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.”-Harvey Milk. Even though he was gay Harvey Milk did not discriminate others based on whom they chose to love, what color their skin was, or what their religion was. He believed that all people no matter what should be treated equally. Throughout history there has been a wide array of intolerance towards the fight for gay people and their rights. They have been targeted time and time again for being disgusting, unnatural, mentally ill, and abominations among many other things. Why do people continue to view others this way? Being gay is not a choice, although some people believe it to be. Being gay is no different than being straight. The only difference between the two is that one: two people of the same sex cannot pro-create, and two: people who are gay do not hate others based on who they choose to love.
...has the right and choice to create a family. Therefore gay couple cannot create their own child, they will have the choice to adopt one. There are many homeless and starving children all over the world wanting to be loved and this is what society can now do since gay marriages are legal.
Constitutionally the reason for marriage is strictly for reproduction. (“Why Same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.”). This would make infertile woman unable to be married. However, marriage is both a right and a privilege that everyone deserves to have. Gay marriage is protected by the Constitutions commitment to liberty and equality in the way each and every one of us choose to live our lives, because it is their lives.
The idea that lesbians and gay men may be parents is often perceived as impossible or immoral. Gay men and lesbians are often excluded from having children because sexual reproduction is related to men and women only. My approach to this controversial topic of gay parenting will be that of attempting to analyze the Pro side first. Gays and lesbians deserve equal rights in our society. Society has to realize that the modern family has transformed into many different forms in recent years in that the "nuclear family" is not necessarily the best.
Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted and integrated into today’s society, however, when it comes to homosexuals establishing families, a problem is posed. In most states, homosexuals can adopt children like any other married or single adult. There are many arguments to this controversial topic; some people believe that it should be legal nationally, while others would prefer that is was banned everywhere, or at least in their individual states. There are logical reasons to allow gays to adopt children, but for some, these reasons are not enough. The main issue really is, what is in the best interest of the child? This type of problem isn’t really one with causes, effects, and solutions, but one with pros and cons. Like any other adoption situation, a parent prove themselves to be responsible and capable enough to raise a child on their own, or with a spouse.
One argument that gay parents have is that children don't need two sex couple role models. Having two parents of the same sex deprives the children of the chance to see how males and females interact in a family situation. Even though gay parents argue the children are exposed to their fair share of traditional male and female relationships, these may be somewhat censored as the visiting child is not part of that family and most families tend to keep certain things within the family. Parents are very strong role models and children are known to mimic what they see.
What is the true definition of marriage? Is it about “religious freedoms or obeying the law”, The Merriam Webster dictionary the full definition is “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. Also the states of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage” (Merriam Webster). Gay marriage has always been a controversial topic and I wanted to look more into the many reasons people get worked about it. Starting in 2010 the elections had a general opposition to legalize same-sex marriage but then results from polls split, some support while others are in opposition. The years did not change much from
Imagine someone telling you that you were not allowed to marry the person you are in love with just because they are the same sex as is. Imagine being harassed and treated completely different just because you are in a relationship with someone of the same gender as you. Now more than ever, same-sex marriage is a topic that is often discussed. In 2010, there were approximately 646,000 same-sex couples in the United States according to the 2010 decennial census, (Lofquist, 2010). As of Jan. 6, 2014, gay marriage has been legalized in 17 of the 50 states, (procon.org, 2014). For a very brief amount of time, Michigan was the 18th state that allowed gay couples to marry, but now it joins Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Texas. These states have had courts overturn gay marriage bans, but they still have pending appeals.
There is an abundance of children in the U.S. lacking a home and a family, that of which a gay couple could provide. Some states have legalized joint gay adoption, while others are still on the fence about it, and would rather not pass the law. A reason why those states should pass the law is, because of the foster care system. Many children, whether it’s a boy or girl, can jump to and from at least twenty homes before they turn 18. Some would be against the gay adoption, because they feel like the child would choose their sexual orientation based off what they see their adoptive parents doing. Those people fail to realize that having gay parents wouldn’t affect the child’s sexual preference. Just like having hetrosexcual parents cannot change a child from being gay. Lastly, another reason why gay adoption should be legalized nationwide is because, many people use their judgement from religious background to vote “NO” on joint gay adoption. When the 1st amendment clearly states that there needs to be a separation between church and
Marriage is a “socially recognized and approved union between individuals, who commit to one another with the expectations of a stable and lasting intimate relationship. It begins with a ceremony known as a wedding which formally unites marriage partners. A marital relationship usually involves some kind of contract, either written or specified by tradition, which defines the partners’ rights and obligations to each other, to any children they may have, and to their relatives. In most contemporary industrialized societies, marriage is certified by the government,” (Skolnick, 2005). Marriage is also an important institution because of the impact it has on society. Marriage is the main way that reproduction of human life occurs. In some societies it is tradition for family heirlooms or things of value be passed on through marriage. Marriage also serves as a healthy way to have intimate relationships with an individual. In most places a marriage exists between two people of the opposite sex. However, the legal definition of marriage is currently being challenged by many. According to Skolnick’s article a marriage can be defined by responsibilities that a couple would share, some examples are: living together, having sexual relations, sharing money and financial responsibilities, and having a child together. The issue is that homosexual couples can do these things like heterosexual couples.
Furthermore, the word "equal" in section 1 of the 14th amendment implies that everyone should have the right to get married no matter what his or her sexual preference. Marriage is the legal and public documentation of the love and trust two people share for each other. This means that anyone should be able to marry whomever he or she wishes.
In conclusion I argue that banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. It is discriminatory because it denies homosexuals the many benefits received by heterosexual couples. The right to marriage in the United States has little to do with the religious and spiritual meaning of marriage. It has a lot to do with social justice, extending a civil right to a minority group. This is why I argue for same-sex marriage. The freedom to marry regardless of gender preference should be allowed.
Also, girls who are raised without a father are more likely to be sexually active and become pregnant at a young age (Pro Con Gay Marriage). It will adjust the purpose of getting married and raising a child that you have birthed is part of adulthood. A gay couple does not have the advantage of providing the child which they adopt, with the real mother or father. Occasionally, somewhat fertile heterosexual couples can produce a child on their own (Pro Con Gay Marriage). By not legalizing homosexual marriage it will prevent children from being bullied for having gay or lesbian parents. In papers, which supported Arizona’s gay marriage stated that “the State regulates marriage for the primary purpose of channeling potentially procreative sexual relationships into enduring unions for the sake of joining children to both their mother and their father... Same-sex couples can never provide a child with both her biological mother and her biological father” (Pro Con Gay