Same Sex Marriage

The practice of marriage has been an ongoing tradition since the world came into being. While some cultures consider it highly valuable and respectable institution, others pay no heed. With time, this practice has been seen transforming, finally paving its way to same sex marriage. Seeing two males hand in hand, walking down the streets would raise eyebrows in several cultures where many would accept it. Same sex marriage is not deemed as a respectable construct, as it is socially, culturally, politically and religiously unaccepted by several societies.

Marriage is a social plus a religious institution which has always existed. For instance, Islam is a strong advocate of marriage and Christianity also talks about the importance of this institution. Both of these religions, focus on the union of a male and a female and its importance in relation to a happy family set up, the rights of children and its positive impact on the society. For this purpose, several societies are against gay marriages.

The institution of same sex marriage looks scary at a glance. If it is legalized, what would become of marriage or family life? This is an essential question concerning the social order which could be affected by same sex marriage. This would lead to polygamy and a weak family system.

According to a study, approximately 1% to 5% gays and lesbians have entered into the same sex marriage. This ration varies from country to country, where gay marriages have been legalized and where it has not. For instance, the first five years when the same sex marriage had been legalized in Netherlands, around 2% to 6% individuals were towards same sex marriage. Even in the United States, the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriages in 2004 where the highest rate of same sex marriage took place, approximating to 16.4 %.

On the contrary, the proponents of same sex marriage have substantiated arguments promoting the same sex marriage. This has been explained by Dr. Danielle R. in his report, Why Not Same-Sex Marriage. He says, love is the basis of every marriage. Couples marry if affection persists and if they are able to cater each other’s need. This concept can be seen in same sex marriage as well.

Furthermore they points out the fact of increasing divorce rate. According to them, the heterosexual couples fail to establish a successful relationship thereby messing the social institution of marriage. Thus, same sex marriage would end such a crisis situation, and would give them an opportunity to prove how successful same sex marriages can be.

Moreover, they could raise children in a similar or rather better way than the heterosexual couples. The APA has declared that the child’s wellbeing is not associated with a mother and father, married or unmarried, but on an affectionate parenting, despite the care taker couple is straight or a gay (APA, 2009). This argument fails to acknowledge the greater truth. It only focuses that raising children requires married parents and does not identify the underlying fact; the importance of having a mother and a father.

A quite interesting claim made by the proponents of same sex marriage incorporates the universal law of choosing partners according to their own wish. In this way the homosexual marriage can take place which suffers due to the unavailability of the benefits such as social security, taxation and more, provided to all committed relationships, as seen in America.

The opponents of same sex marriage look at the issue from the point of the religion. Since religion considers marriage as a highly valuable institution, it is a union between man and woman to have children which is not possible in the same sex marriages. Thus allowing gay marriages would weaken the family system, thereby ending the natural essence of marriages.

Therefore, allowing same sex marriage would result in polygamy. Once same sex marriage is legalized, no one would stop the culture of homosexual marriages and the concept of rights. Moreover, schools all over would have to incorporate subjects or portions of the text covering homosexual relationships having a negative impact on the children from an early age. Similarly, the court would then give adoption preferences to gay couples and the rights of the heterosexual couples would be undermined.

Thus, the issue of same sex marriage has been quite controversial, although it has been in practice since an early period. For some societies it is acceptable, yet for the rest it is forbidden. Every individual has a different perspective and opinion of the issue, initially coming from its social order. Although, the proponents of same sex marriage propose a number of persuading arguments, compelling the majority to allow and accept same sex marriage, they fail to reveal the underlying fact to all. Hence, same sex marriage is culturally, morally and socially wrong.