Church Attitude towards Same-Sex Marriage - Essay Example

Same-Sex Marriages: Article Review and Analysis SAME SEX MARRIAGE: THE PROBLEM/ WORLD ISSUE A variety of issues are affecting the world and its social systems today. One of the most pressing problems that have been in the news in the last two decades is the idea of same sex marriage. There have been controversies and public outcries on the ethical, religious and moral implication that arise from the idea of same sex marriages. Various institutions have come up against the idea while others have been established to support the idea. The issue has been a hot topic in the United States in the recent years with many people trying to embrace the idea and allowing it in the society. However there are many social constraints facing these people as many have not been accepted both by society and other social groupings. A recent article in the New York Times online version carried the story of how a not for profit organization, companeros had been receiving funds from the Roman Catholic Church to help poor Hispanic immigrants but later the funding was stopped because of the organization’s association with a rights group that advocated for the rights of gays and lesbians. The conservative members of the church insisted that the church must not aid any organization that goes against the church positions on issues of birth control and marriage. The church stand remains that it will not fund any organization that goes against the core principles of the church. This shows just how the lesbians and gays are frowned upon by the church and members of the society (NY Times). THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPT American Psychological Association defines Sexual orientation as, “an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic and or/ sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.[ It ]also refers to a person’s sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions’’(APA). Sexual orientation can be seen to lie on a continuum from the exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to special attraction to the same sex. Sexual orientation is often viewed in three categories: the heterosexuals who are attracted to members of the opposite sex; gay/lesbian who have relations with people of the same sex; and the bisexuals who are attracted to both men and women (APA). Sexual orientation is such a broad concept in psychology as it differs from other elements of sex and gender. It is viewed in terms of relations people have with others which is expressed through intimate behaviors. It may not be easy to know whether someone is gay or lesbian and they may or may not know themselves. Some realize after engaging in sexual activity (Rathus 472). No specific causes have been identified as causing a person to have a particular sexual orientation. However research has shown that it is a complex phenomenon resulting from the complex interplay of nature and nurture. Research also shows that many people do not have a choice regarding their sexual orientation. Sexual orientation has been a cause of discrimination and prejudice in the United States. There has been widespread and intense prejudice against the lesbians and gays with public opinion holding strong negative attitudes against these people (Coon and Mitterer). Strong opposition, discrimination and hostility towards these people is not only seen in America but also in other parts of the world. This makes it difficult even for them to publicly express their sexual orientation leading to social stigma, stress and other mental health concerns (APA). RESEARCH ARTICLE SUMMARY The research looked at the expectations that lesbians will be discriminated or prejudiced-stigma consciousness- and the psychological effects it had on them. It aimed to study the social constraints that come into play when lesbians want to talk to others about issues that relate to their sexual orientation (Lewis, Derlega and Clarke 48). Generally the lesbians feel the need to talk to other people concerning their sexual orientation but end up not doing it because of the perceived discrimination and prejudice they will face because of their sexual orientation. The feeling of being discriminated makes them not talk about their sexual orientation and this coupled with many other factors cause them psychological stress (Lewis, Derlega and Clarke 55). The study used 105 lesbians who completed measures of stigma consciousness, social constraints, lesbian related stress, intrusive thoughts, internalized homophobia, negative mood and physical symptoms. The study revealed that stigma consciousness was positively associated with unpleasant thoughts, lesbian related stress, bad moods and self-reports of physical symptoms. The study established just like other researches that stigma consciousness is a direct cause of negative psychological outcomes in gays and lesbians. This research not only tells us of the problems the society causes to lesbians but us an eye opener on the need to stop discrimination against the minority in the society (Lewis, Derlega and Clarke 54-55). HOW THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY RELATES TO THE REAL WORLD ISSUE The study carried on Lesbians as it was established found out that there are many social constraints that affect the desire for lesbians to talk to others as concerns their sexual orientation. The pent up emotions cause them many psychological outcomes (Lewis, Derlega and Clarke 56). The earlier identified issue brought up the idea of discrimination and prejudice in the society as concerns the people with different sexual orientations. It was seen that even the church is against such practices and views them as against the church’s core principles (NY Times). When the lesbian group is seen to associate with any other organization or the society as a whole they end up missing on basic support that a society needs. The prejudices and discrimination that lesbians and gays face in the society make them conceal their sexual orientations in order to fit in the society (Pachankis 328). They are forced not to speak up because they will be discriminated and will fail to get essential services. This discrimination makes them not to speak up. The fear or feeling that they will be stigmatized makes it more difficult for them to come out and express themselves of how they feel and what they perceive of their sexual orientation. In the end they keep to themselves something that causes them to develop psychological problems. If these people were allowed to mingle with others in the society whether single or married, to speak up on how they feel, it would be less traumatizing to them. Works Cited APA. "Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality." 8 January 2008. American Psychological Association. Web. 11 April 2012 Coon, Dennis and John O. Mitterer. Introduction to pyschology Gateways to mind and Behavior. 12. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. Lewis, Robin J., et al. "Stigma Consciousness, Social Constraints and Lesbian Well-being." Journal of Counselling Psychology (2006): 53(1): 48-56. Print. NY Times. Catholic Fund Cuts Off Aid Over Groups Affiliations. 5 April 2012. Web. 11 April 2012. Pachankis, John E. "The Psychological Implications of Concealing a Stigma: A cognitive-Affective-behavioral Mode." Pyschological Bulletin (2007): 133(2): 328. Print. Rathus, Spencer A. Psychology: Concepts and Connections. London: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print. Read More