The Same Sex Marriage Debate

Throughout the recent decades, same-sex marriage issue is just like a buoy, has never stopped floating up back to the surface of the headlines, causing a whirl around the globe. Same-sex marriage, literally, is conceived as the marriage between two individuals with the same gender identity. Along with gender or race equality, this is recognized as marriage equality, of which the advocates request for a considerate social and legal recognition for homosexual marriage. On this matter, Ralph Wedgwood, a professor of philosophy at the University of California, as well as the author of “The Fundamental Argument for Same-sex Marriage”, has expressed his perception on the legitimacy of same-sex marriage. Empowered with his sophisticated research knowledge in ethics and epistemology, Wedgwood has critically analyzed to the readers on the subject matter, in a more subtle yet in-depth point of view, in this article namely The Meaning of Same-Sex Marriage. Same-sex marriage debates were provoked again when President Obama expressed his support statement in favor of same-sex marriage. According to Wedgwood, the proponents conceive marriage being a package of legal rights, benefits and obligations, with the legal equality for homosexual individuals. In this matter, the opponents think that social aspect is neglected by the proponents. Traditional marriage consists of shared expectations and understandings established over centuries, which can be altered or undermined by any law change. Contradictorily, this view ironically shows the injustice to the ban on same-sex marriage. Besides, the social meaning of marriage should be exclusive of any controversial doctrines such as religious beliefs, yet comprised general assumptions like sexual intimacy, domestic and economic cooperation, and mutual commitment to the relationship. Through marriage, a couple virtually declares that their relationship is entitled to the social meanings and assumptions. And thus, couples are able to