Same-Sex Marriages in their Society: the Idea of Cosmopolitanism - Research Paper Example

Within the already controversial realm of gay and lesbian rights, no area is more controversial than same sex parenting. Lesbian or gay couples raise children. Many issues arise in lesbian-and gay-parented families; One major issue is the fact that they live in a society where diverse culture is not easily valued therefore creating a very indifferent situation. The tension created by this situation generates various arguments around the world whenever the same sex parenting issue presents itself to the legal system, educational system and religious organizations. In the recent years, the issue of same sex parenting has been on the headlines mostly in the first world countries like the United States. In a world where the major focus is on technology, there is one way that has made communication easier, that is the internet. People from all over the world are now able to engage in lengthy discussions on various ambiguous issues for instance the issue of same sex parenting; this way the identities of these people gets shaped up by their lingo and values. Consequently, constant confrontations with diverse perspectives and values that collide between different cultures and opposing identities are unavoidable. In Kwame Anthony Appiah’s view, to create a united, peaceable community that stretch beyond all borders of nationalities and beliefs, we must engage in a larger “conversation.”In such a conversation, people learn to appreciate and revere values of others instead of arguing over them. This way of life, known as “cosmopolitanism” serves as a rubric for social and global change. The issue of same sex marriage has caused a major debate in various countries. “In Tuesday’s Supreme Court debate, Justice Anthony Kennedy expressed concern for the welfare of California’s 40000 children who live with same-sex parents. Anthony says, “The children adopted by the same-sex parents want their parents to have full recognition and full status.” For American, there is no doubt that the voice of children is the most convincing in the case. While the Interior Minister Manuel Valls says, “the different growing background will affect the physical and mental health of the adopted children.” . We find that U.S. has already legalized same sex marriage and is in advanced stages of fighting for the rights of children brought up under same sex families; this has caused a major spark in France where its citizens feel that their country should also do the same. In Kwame Anthony Appiah’s view, through cosmopolitanism, this issue can be solved where people engage in conversations with each other and learn to appreciate and respect each other values and ways of life. In the modern world, it is easy for people from different regions in the world to meet for example through the internet and share each other ways of life. Some acquire new cultures; some change their view on sexuality and even decide to have same sex families."When it comes to change, what moves people is often not an argument from a principle, not a long discussion about values, but just a gradually acquired new way of seeing things”(APPIAH 22).The attitude towards same sex families in France may be influenced by countries that have accepted same sex marriages like the United States. Appiah shows that if the discussion on same sex marriages is handled slowly and carefully, people in nations like France will gradually acquire new ways of seeing things and eventually incorporate same sex families in their culture. For a nation like France where the issue of same sex marriages is under debate, French natives are forced to take sides, those that support same sex marriages or those that already live as same sex couples are hated and discriminated; viewed as the lost and the bad people in the society. “Two strands of cosmopolitanism: One is the idea that we have obligations to others, obligations that stretch beyond those to whom we are related by the ties of kith and kin, or even the more formal ties of a shared citizenship. The other is that we take seriously the value not just of human life but also of particular human lives, which means taking an interest in the practices and beliefs that lend them significance” (APPIAH 14).This means that one should care about other people’s lives even those not related to them by blood. This way they can incorporate other people in the society even if they have different views about marriage and their sexual lives. Appiah tries to show that in Nations like France where people strongly believe in one-way culture, people should care about each other and accommodate even those that follow different ways of life for instance same sex couples. People all over the world engage in debates over various issues. One major issue is the issue of same sex marriage. “Cosmopolitanism is an adventure and an ideal: but you cannot have any respect for human diversity and expect everyone to become cosmopolitan” (APPIAH 17-18).Cosmopolitanism is an idea that it is not easy for every person to understand and accept. Some persons may agree with it but most people might oppose. Appiah tries to explain that, although the idea of cosmopolitanism brings is easier to understand, not all people can understand and agree with it. Some people are staunch in their culture stand and it is difficult to convince them. In a recent mass demonstration opposing marriage equality in Paris, one banner made it clear: “A child,” it read, “is not a right.” This shows that not every society is ready to accept cosmopolitanism and the idea of cosmopolitanism faces a major challenge on societies like the one in France. The issue of same sex parenting started earlier in some countries for example in America; that is why they are so advanced ion the issue and most of American citizens do not find the issue a big one. “Understanding one another may be hard; it can certainly be interesting. But it doesn’t require that we come to agreement” (APPIAH 25).According to Appiah, sometimes it is difficult for people to understand one another; this brings in a very fascinating situation. It is not always that an argument will lead to an agreement; sometimes people argue so that they become accustomed to the issue at hand, this way they can assess themselves after sometime and make a wise decision on the same issue. Appiah uses logic appeal to persuade, so that even when people do not agree with each other, they can evaluate the issue on personal basis and maybe come to a positive conclusion. In America, the issue has been around for long and people discussed it until currently most of American citizens are okay with same sex marriages. The issue of same sex parenting presents a broad conversation. Cosmopolitanism tries to ease the conversation but still there is a long way to go. On the rubric of social change, this issue is a significant measure of getting to know the extent to which societal progress has stretched. Americans have accepted same sex marriages in their society; this represents a positive social change. On the other hand, in France the issue of same sex marriages is still under discussion since many of their citizens are against it due to their cultural values, which condemn same sex marriages. The idea of cosmopolitanism is ambiguous and depending on the type of society, the idea might be important or irrelevant. Modern societies are likely to accept the idea of cosmopolitanism while societies that still uphold their tradition values are likely to disagree with the idea. Appiah should have thought of a broader idea that would convince all types of societies regardless of their cultural values and practices. Work cited Appiah, Anthony. Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. London: Penguin, 2007. Print.. Read More