Introduction
Family and marriage are social and divine institutions that are facing constant challenges due to the rapidly changing trends in society. In the past, the problems that families and marriages experienced were polygamy, early marriages, and family planning, but the current society experiences extra problems such as high rates of divorce, delayed marriages, single parenthood, cohabitation, and emergence of same sex marriages among other pertinent issues. The emergence of same-sex marriages complicated conventional and religious teachings for these teachings view same sex marriage as an immoral issue in the society that should never happen at all. Despite the denial and renunciation of the same sex marriage in the society, gays and lesbians continue to exist in the society while their numbers are increasing alarmingly. High rates of divorce and marriage abuses have left many young people wondering and questioning whether marriage is of any significance in life with regard to happiness and achievement. Glen argues that, “young adults delay getting married, not out of cynicism or apathy so much, but because of a near crippling anxiety over whether they will fail at marriage like so many of their parents did” (2012, np). Such and many other fears compel young people to get involved in aberrant sexual behaviors as gay and lesbianism in order to avoid problems associated with heterosexual marriages. Therefore, what are the trends, causes, and solutions regarding the issue same-sex marriage?
Trends of Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage is an emerging social and religious issue that is gradually finding its way in the legal system as constitutions of many countries recognize heterosexual marriage only. Conventional and ...
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This essay explores further changes that may lie ahead as same-sex marriage debates increasingly affect both family law and the convivial construal’s of marriage. Marriage as an institution has transmuted most dramatically because of the cumulative effects of the last half century of de-gendering family law. Same-sex marriage and perhaps even more so, the highly visible cultural debate over it is contributing to this process.
Same sex marriage may seem, to some, a crazy idea as marriage in this country is built on the foundation of a man and a woman marrying, but Sullivan points out that until recent centuries marriage was a contract into which a woman entered so that she would be controlled by her husba...
In this study, researchers wanted to know young adults’ views of marriage in the United States. In order to do so, they asked simple questions about marriage and commitment to 424 people ages 21 to 38 from various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The results showed that there are two major types of marital constructs, and two major arguments in the debate of marriage’s current state. The two categories of people who think of marriage are called the marriage naturalists and the marriage planners. Both groups of people have nearly opposite views on the idea of what is needed to be able to have a good, healthy marriage. The major arguments about the current state of marriage in the U.S are the marriage decline and the marriage resilience perspectives. These are also polarized, naturally.
In a country with it’s fundamentals based on liberty and equality, America has always struggled with those very concepts. Throughout history, Americans have been challenged to make decisions that have oppressed and freed certain groups of people. The political fight for same-sex marriages is a perfect example of this notion. This relation between spouses has created a major controversy that is creating history in our nation. A series of protests, acts and political scandal has finally opened America to discuss a topic that had been in “the closet” for a long time. This discussion asks questions that have caused a visceral reaction in society. Questions such as whether gays and lesbians should marry, and if so, should they be granted the same matrimony rights as heterosexual couples? Should marriage be protected to fit traditional American values? How would these unions affect or contribute to our definition of such a celebrated institution? .
Love always plays an indispensable role in our life while lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders are found in all age groups, all social classes, and all nations. Thus, it is obvious that homosexual marriage is one of the most biggest concerns. However, in contemporary life, some people are far more open-minded and support to this issue. Particularly, there are twenty-one countries which legalize same-sex marriage. This kind of marriage should be respected and accepted like heterosexual marriage. In spite of objections, this essay will highlight the main reasons that homosexuals should have equal right to marry.
Over the years in our country’s history it has been apparent that the idea of same sex marriages is becoming much more popular, however in most states there is still one thing stopping them. That one thing stopping two people from the pursuit of happiness which they desire is a social injustice. Social injustices are situations where a person or group of people is treated unfairly due to certain factors for example discrimination, prejudice, racism, heterosexism, sexism, and so forth. In the case of same sex marriages, the factor playing a major role in this social injustice is where most people believe that opposite sexes attract, but in the case of a same sex couple wanting to be married, this brings about many topics to be discussed by people, as not everyone thinks the same way. Everyday a same sex couple wants to get married but is either denied their want, or is forced to conform to a civil union. This should not be the case however; people of the same sex should be allowed what every other couple is allowed due to the fact that each and every person has the right to happiness, and the right to marriage despite their sexual orientation.
Sean Brotherson of the Department of Child Development and Family Science at North Dakota State University claims that over the last decade or so the government institutions in America have scrambled to uphold and protect the sacred union of marriage. The author faults changes in societal norms, as well as inadequately prepared people entering the realm of marriage for increasing divorce rates, more frequent cohabitation and decline of marriage rate. Brotherson develops his thesis by citing quite a few specific cases of legislations that were thoroughly supported by the government, but were not passed into law. He gives many statistics of marriage and divorce rates over the last decade or so, as well as the plausible reasons these trends are becoming prevalent. For example, Brotherson states that same-sex marriage has not been a genuine issue until the last decade or two, and that it could account for some of the current problem. It is clear that the author is opinionated about this topic, but he backs his argument with solid evidence and statistics. The statistics that Brotherson uses in this article will be very helpful in proving that a declining marriage rate is a genuine problem that should be dealt with steadfastly.
In the United States, over 17 states have legalized same sex marriage. In addition, around 16 countries have been able to legalize gay marriages too. This was an incredible breakthrough since same sex marriages had increased over the years. Individuals have the right to marry and get married to their preferred partners. However, there is still an opposition on gay marriages from many groups around the globe today. The groups feel that same sex marriages should be illegal and that; they are against the law and violate the marriage institution. In addition, they argue that, gay marriages are against the biblic...
Marriage as generally define is the union between one man and one woman. However a recent debate over same-sex marriage has stirred a nationwide debate reverberating in the halls of Congress, at the White House, in dozens of state courtrooms and legislatures, and is also becoming a speech-making topic for election campaigns at both the national and state levels. As the debate for this controversial topic rages on, the American religious community view on the topic remains deeply divided over the matter and over the morality of homosexuality in general. Granting legal marriage right to gays and lesbians would primarily alter the idea of marriage, ignore a child’s right to a mother and father, and expands government control of marriage.
The Supreme Court ruled by a 5-to-4 vote that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. A recent news said that US president Barack Obama was pleased with the end of the passing a gay marriage law in New York state. New York will become the largest and latest state to legalize gay marriage. And the US leader said “it’s the time to allow the matrimony between gays for a nationwide policy” [2]. According to many years for fighting of the legalized same-sex marriage, gays and lesbians finally can marriage in the accept law. Gay marriage has been hotly debated in the news lately. While several countries have some form of gay marriage on the books, the Netherlands recently became the first country to give same-sex couples in civil unions the same rights as heterosexual married couples [1]. In my opinion, same-sex marriage should become an established and accepted institution in societies around the world.
A contradictory essay titled “Societal Suicide” by the authors Anne Morse and Charles Colson conveying that marriage ought to be realized as an old – fashioned and traditional way were people come together in holy matrimony when they said “traditional building block of human society.” Their essay continues to explicate the weary and unfair assumptions of marriage by concluding that there should only be the existence of man and woman relationships. The authors, due to gay couples overloaded with longing to marry one another, have also questioned marriage extinction. A question often asked is “How is it the end of marriage if same-sex couples marry?” Allowing gays to get married indorses marriage as well as supports the rights to care for every person. An...
The legal issues raised in the area of Law regarding marriage are in the definition, by using the term ‘man and woman’; the law prevents same-sex marriages from taking place. The concept of same-sex marriages is a controversial issue among current society, though a growing number of countries have legislated to recognise same-sex marriages. The first country to legislate was the
In the United States, legalization of same-sex marriage has a long-standing history of opposition from religious circles. Some argue against the legalization of same-sex marriage based on their interpretation of the Bible’s stance against homosexuality (Dobson, O’Brien). Other opponents argue against the practice based on universal tenets of moral behavior, fundamental beliefs that are said to underpin our country’s existing laws and should not be eroded (George, Finnis, Friedman).
Same sex marriages are amongst the most controversial topics in the 21st century. Indisputably, it is an issue that the world can hardly ignore owing to the fact that it has perpetuated every sphere of society such as religion, politics and family. The society is more conscious about it now than any other time in history. It is the gravity of this issue that forces leaders, in their campaigns for office elections, to take a stand regarding the matter. Since the United States of America took a bold step to legalize gay marriages, many channels through which the matter can be considered relevant not just in America but worldwide have opened. Different facets of the society have adjusted to embrace gay marriages. For example, there exists churches for gay people and, judicial systems have given in protecting the rights of this minority group especially from discrimination. Additionally, celebrities such as musicians, sports persons, bishops and social elites have been bold enough to confess about their sexual orientation in public. Religious sectors are also loosening their stand on the matter. In the course of time, gay people would no longer be seen as demon-possessed people walking on the surface of the earth (Brownson 12). Despite other nations such as Russia and Uganda condemning gay marriages, an activist for gay people can hope for a revolution that will favor this minority group in future. An ideal society is that which is ready enforce polices that can warrant peace of mind for its members. This includes accepting them with their diverse natural tendencies as long they do not undermine welfare of others. Gay marriages are part of the evolution proce...
The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political, social, and religious issue. Because of this same-sex marriage is a very controversial topic. Legal acknowledgement of same sex marriage is commonly referred to as marriage equality. Many advocates of marriage equality argue that laws restricting marriage to only heterosexuals discriminate against homosexuals. On the other hand advocates against same-sex marriage argue that it would undo long-standing traditions and change the meaning of marriage in a damaging manor. In this essay I will be arguing for same-sex marriage. The arguments mentioned as well as others will be discusses throughout this paper.