“Marriage plays a fundamental role in civil society because it is characterized by sexual complementarity, monogamy, exclusive, and permanence” (Anderson). Legalizing same-sex marriage would affect every aspect ethically and morally, resulting in an unacceptable outcome. Therefore same-sex marriage should not be considered respectable and adequate in any lifestyle.
Same-sex marriage is the union between partners of the same sex, whether it is a male and a male or a female and another female. Traditional marriage is about attaching a man and a woman to each other (Anderson). Marriage exists primarily to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces (Anderson). Family and marriage make an institution connecting affection, sex, procreation, and parenthood (Yenor). Marital Union is based on the principle that men and women are complementary which is necessary in order to procreate; reproduction depends on a man and a woman, unless the “…father decides if he wants to be involve in the life of the child/children” (Anderson). Marriage’s public purpose and function is the procreation and education of children, which requires a traditional marriage (Yenor). “Marriage brings together the two halves of humanity (male and female) in a monogamous relationship” (Anderson). Same-sex marriage should therefore not qualify as a legal union because it does not follow the traditional rules of marriage.
Even though same-sex marriage does not follow traditional marriage, it has been allowed in some states. Currently 17 states have legalized same-sex marriage and 33 states have bans against same-sex marriage (ProCon). Traditional marriage predates government and is the fundamental bu...
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...alize gay marriage anywhere in the United States of America.
Works Cited
Anderson, Ryan T. “Marriage Matters: Consequences of Redefining Marriage.”
The Heritage Foundation: Gay Marriage (2013): 1. The Heritage
Foundation. Web. (3 April 2014).
Anderson, Ryan T. “The Social Costs of Abandoning the Meaning of Marriage.”
The Heritage Foundation: Gay Marriage (2013): 1. The Heritage Foundation. Web. (1 April 2014).
Chitton, Lynn-nore, and Geraldine Wagner. “Point: Children Suffer with
Same-Sex Couples.” Points of View: Gay Marriage (2013): 2. Points of View Reference Center. Web. (3 April 2014).
ProCon.org. “Gay Marriage.” ProCon.org: Gay Marriage (2014): 1. ProCon.org.
Web. (27 March 2014).
Yenor, Scott E. “The True Origin of Society: The Founders on the Family.”
The Heritage Foundation: Gay Marriage (2013): 1. The Heritage
Foundation. Web. (1 April 2014).
"Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships: A Comparison." EqualityMaine. Equality Maine, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
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).
Marriage is defined as “(1) 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 (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage ("Marriage," 2003, p. 659). Despite the latter definition’s addition to dictionaries in the past decade, this definition of marriage is still debated. Being a touchy subject in both politics and religion today, it’s been very hard to come to an agreement. There are two main sides to this argument regarding the nature of marriage. Some stick to their conservative and/or religious beliefs, while others state that marriage is a civil right (Kim, 2011, p. [Page 38]). However, same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in North Carolina and thirty-two other states at this time ("Defining Marriage: State Defense," 2014). Homosexuals have been denied many of the rights given to those that are heterosexual. Same-sex couples are not able to receive other benefits as a heterosexual couple would. The lack of benefits is extremely unequal and unfair. This unacceptable treatment is unconstitutional and should not continue.
Kennedy, Dorothy M., and Jane E. Aaron. " What's Wrong with Gay Marriage?." The Bedford Reader. By X. J. Kennedy. 11th ed. Boston: St. Martin’s, 2012. 570-572. Print.
Winn, P. (2003). Q&A: why not same-sex marriage. Citizen Link. Retrieved April 25, 2004, from http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0028908.cfm
Most people believe that they deserve the rights they are granted by the government. An upstanding citizen who pays their taxes, serves their community and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are constantly denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbians couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens. They are held at an unfair disadvantage simply because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must end because gay and lesbian couples are law-abiding citizens too, who should be offered the same rights as heterosexual couples. Same sex marriage should be legalized because it is their civil rights, it encourages strong family value and leads to the increasing number of child adoption, and the same sex marriage also brings a lot of financial benefits.
"List of Pros and Cons of Gay Marriage."OccupyTheory. N.p., 22 Dec. 2014. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.
There are a number of false assumptions the straight community has regarding same sex marriages. Marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice. The government should not interfere with same-sex couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of the institution of marriage. The real nature of marriage is not a relationship between a man and a woman but rather a binding commitment between two adults. Another false assumption regarding same sex marriages is that the institution of marriage is for procreation. If so, why are infertile individuals allowed to marry? Why are childless couples allowed to remain married? The false assumption that the institution of marriage ensures the continuation of the species is hard to visualize with the current population of the world. The notion of institution of marriage being threatened by same-sex marriages is an additional false assumption by the straight community. In the 1950?s miscegenation laws prevented interracial marriages between whites and blacks. A 1967 United States Supreme Court decision finally legalized mixed race marriages. Interracial marriages have not irreparably harmed the institution of marriage. The false assumption of marriage being between a man and a woman, for procreation, continuation of the species, and that the institution of marriage will be threatened by same sex marriages is unfounded.
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.
As of today 14 out of 50 states allow same sex marriage, all other 36 states have banned same sex marriage or doesn’t have any laws against it or for it. For years same sex couples have fought for their right to be able to get marry, and for years they have been shut down due to many reasons: religion, traditions, it’s abnormal, it’s not natural, it defeats the concept of marriage, children needs both a male and female role model in their life to be successful and many more.
Today’s society argues widely the correctness of same-sex marriage. Marriage for many people is believed to be a relationship between two people, preferably man and woman. The LGBT community battles for their right to marry without being denied by the government. The legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States has great importance for the future of marriage equality throughout the LBGT community. Same-sex marriage will not harm the function of society or other marriages in it, as well as being protected by the Constitution, and relieves lifelong discrimination.
Same-sex marriage is a broad and current controversy in the United States today. The movement to legalize same-sex marriage started in the 1970; however, it is still not legal in all fifty states yet (“Same-sex marriage in the United States”). Legalizing same-sex marriage should not be a debate. People should be able to marry who they love regardless of sexual orientation. Same-sex marriage should be legal because it is a human right, religion should not interfere with state laws, it does not adversely affect the heterosexual community in any way, and same-sex marriage can actually benefit our society.
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.
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.
Same- sex marriage has done nothing but turn the human race into a joke. Reproduction is the key to maintaining a society and continuing the human race. The future of humans will be at risk if homosexuality continues to be accepted and existent. Not only would the population suffer from same-sex couples, but the children of same-sex couples would suffer. Both boys and girls need a mother and a father, and without both there will be severe consequences that the innocent children involved will have to endure. Same-sex marriage is an unnatural practice that has begun to damage society.