Same Sex Marriage - Implication to Moral Values
Gay Marriage: Social Implications
There has been much controversy on the subject of gay marriage for a long time, and in several different areas. There has been conflict in the educational, the legal (governmental rights), and the religious aspects, among others. Amidst all the confusion and chaos that comes from the usually rather passionate opinions on this issue, the question that seriously needs to be considered is this: How would legalizing gay marriage ultimately affect American society as a whole?
One of the most common arguments opposing same-sex marriage is that it would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage. It seems that the understood definition of the word “marriage” explicitly uses the phrase “between a man and a woman.” But 50% of first marriages, 67% of second, and 74% of third marriages end in divorce (US-Divorce, n.d.). Doesn’t this harm the sanctity of marriage? Furthermore, the word “marriage” can also be defined as “a lifelong publicly accountable relationship.” This can be applied to any two people, no matter their gender, race, or anything else.
Another argument that is frequently used against gay marriage is the fact that gay couples can’t naturally pro-create, and marriage is for raising children. This claim is a stretch by itself; there are thousands of married heterosexual couples that either aren’t able or choose not to have children. Also, gay couples are able to adopt children, giving them a stable home and family environment to grow in.
One common concern of people against legalized gay marriage is also the educational aspect of it. If our children are taught from the beginning that there is no difference between heterosexual marriage and homosexual marriage, couldn’t that confuse them? Not according to Professor Michael King of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2007): “It would appear that sexual orientation is biological in nature, determined by a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early
There has been much controversy on the subject of gay marriage for a long time, and in several different areas. There has been conflict in the educational, the legal (governmental rights), and the religious aspects, among others. Amidst all the confusion and chaos that comes from the usually rather passionate opinions on this issue, the question that seriously needs to be considered is this: How would legalizing gay marriage ultimately affect American society as a whole?
One of the most common arguments opposing same-sex marriage is that it would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage. It seems that the understood definition of the word “marriage” explicitly uses the phrase “between a man and a woman.” But 50% of first marriages, 67% of second, and 74% of third marriages end in divorce (US-Divorce, n.d.). Doesn’t this harm the sanctity of marriage? Furthermore, the word “marriage” can also be defined as “a lifelong publicly accountable relationship.” This can be applied to any two people, no matter their gender, race, or anything else.
Another argument that is frequently used against gay marriage is the fact that gay couples can’t naturally pro-create, and marriage is for raising children. This claim is a stretch by itself; there are thousands of married heterosexual couples that either aren’t able or choose not to have children. Also, gay couples are able to adopt children, giving them a stable home and family environment to grow in.
One common concern of people against legalized gay marriage is also the educational aspect of it. If our children are taught from the beginning that there is no difference between heterosexual marriage and homosexual marriage, couldn’t that confuse them? Not according to Professor Michael King of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2007): “It would appear that sexual orientation is biological in nature, determined by a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early