Ethics, Gender and Family - Legalising Same-sex marriage for the benefit of children - Research Paper Example

? Ethics, Gender and Family - Legalising Same-sex marriage for the benefit of children Same sex marriage happens to be modern burning issue.It seems each and every individual seems to have different opinion regarding same sex marriage. The present study has been conducted in lieu to understand the issues involved in the debate against and for same sex partnering by recognizing the attitudes, prejudice, stereotypes, myths involved in the lesbian and gay individuals in the role as parents. Introduction In today’s America it is seemed that the topic of same sex marriage is a highly controversial one and yet various people hold the issue close to the hearts. The subject is debatable and has many individuals and states; who holds different opinions as to whether to vote for or against same sex marriage. Different religions tend to have different point of views on same sex people; and the same could be said about the politicians also (Maylor and Blackmon, 2005, p. 209). Today same sex marriage is legally recognized in countries like Belgium, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Denmark, etc. Another major issue that has evolved over the past few years along with same sex marriage has been the issue of partnership and adoption issues related to same sex marriage. There are people who believes that same sex marriage should be legalized mainly for the benefits of the children; however there are those who believe that same sex marriage is something which is not natural and it may not actually benefit the children. The present study has been conducted in lieu to understand the issues involved in the debate against and for same sex partnering by recognizing the attitudes, prejudice, stereotypes, myths involved in the lesbian and gay individuals in the role as parents. Hereby it is also needs to mentioned that secondary research has been used for the collection of secondary data, which has been used for the analysis to draw the final conclusions (Moore, 1963, p. 141). Literature review A child is defined as an individual person below 18, except the national regulations and laws identify the age of majorities earlier. The controversy of same sex marriages is growing every day. Several options are rising with fear or courage. It is quite difficult to understand to find out the appropriate argument. Smart (1991) has argued that, psychoanalytical theories have labelled the homosexuality as the trait of deviant psychiatric. It is evident that, the attitude of human beings has changed in recent years (Staver, 2004). Still a prejudice element exists regarding the same sex parenting. It is assumed that, children may be flat with the confusion about gender. Moreover, in this case children may get confused over the sexual orientation and stigmatisation. In several countries, the identification of same sex couple is well established. Denmark is the first country who has introduced same sex union’s legal reorganization. By observing this, several other countries also have granted several legal rights to these kinds of same sex couples. Civil marriage rights are exist in eight jurisdictions, such as Spain, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and South Africa (Laycock, Picarello & Wilson, 2008). In these countries, there is no distinction between the heterosexual and same sex couples. In the year 2008, the parliament of Norway has adopted a marriage law considering the same sex couples (Wardle, 2003). In the year 2006, the supreme court of New Jersey has passed a law about the same sex couple. Moreover, the higher courts of New York City and Washington D.C. have defined the same sex marriage (Eskridge & Spedale, 2006). In the same year, the supreme court of New Jersey has announced that, the couples of same sex will enjoy the same social benefits similar to the couples of opposite sex. The same sex marriage was legalized in the year 2009 in the supreme court of Columbia, New Hampshire and Vermont. Moreover, the states of Washington and Maryland have legalized the same sex marriage in the year 2012. Federal marriage adjustment would deprive the states from the power to endorse same sex marriage as even if the voters belonging to the states vote against in favour of it. One of the most common opinions as to why people do not support same sex marriage is that the federal marriage modification may undermine the right of the state. Add to that the amending the constitution of United States to dent the lesbians and gays right to marry may turn out to be a disturbing deviation from the traditional US alteration. Marriage is the form of a celebration of a relationship of two couples. According to several couple, it is a bond that solidifies the relationship. Marriage inequality generally impacts on the individuals (Robinson, 2008). According to the research of Goldberg (2012), major of both respondents in an interview process has responded that, the same. sex marriage need to be recognized. This topic is becoming one of the hottest topics in the human rights and civilization area. It can be possible that, people can be either heterosexual or homosexual. Consequentialism is a particular theory that holds a moral or ethical act it has a good conclusion output. Basis on the theory, it can state that, children may find several difficulties while growing up with the parents of same sex. It may create several psychological challenges. It will be difficult for the children to adjust with the normal structural variables. Lack of parental sexual orientation may create huge stress for the children. Though the same sex parents will provide huge level of love to their adopted children, but lack of sexual orientation and supreme level of inter-parental conflict will create several behaviour problems in children. Therefore, it can state that, considering Consequentialism theory, it will not bring benefits to the children. From the survey of Goldberg, it has been identified that, three kinds of reaction are coming up. One respondent group is saying that; it can be harmful to the society and community. On the other hand, another respondent group has described that, in terms of ethical consideration and legal aspects, the marriage of same sex couple needs to be legalized. Both the views have several negative and positive outcome of the society (Halbert & Ingulli, 2011). If the government or the supreme court of the country legalized the same sex marriage then, it can be called as reasonable ethical decision. But it will have a negative impact on the children. In several countries, it has been legalized that, same sex couples can adopt child (Knox & Schacht, 2010, p.261). This marriage concept can affect the future of the children. It will be difficult from the children to discriminate between the gender and sexual factors having a same sex parents. It will be one of the biggest drawbacks for the whole society and community. On the other hand, in terms of social and communal ethics, it would be a reasonable decision if the Supreme Court accepts the proposal of same sex marriage. Among the views of several people, this same sex marriage is unethical, unnatural and harmful. But, in terms of the human rights’ point of view, same sex marriage should need reorganization as people have the right to live. According to Padgett (2007) and Gibson (1999), allowing the couples of same sex to adopt children can be due to their desire if children needing home. This is not because of equal right issues. It is hard to understand the psychology of the same sex couples. According to their needs and views, it can be state that, every individual has a desire to have children in their home. Basis on the social ethics, it has been argued by the several literatures that, people need to enjoy the social status (Chambers, 2005). The marriage of same sex needs to be recognized in order to provide them social reorganization. However, it has been already discussed that, this same sex marriage needs a social reorganization in according to the human rights policies. The same sex marriage can hamper the future of the children. Therefore, it is recommended that, if the Supreme Court approves the proposal of same sex marriage, then it is the responsibility of the government to employ a child development agency in order to help those children to discriminate the genders and several homosexual and heterosexual factors. Analysis and Findings Before describing the analysis and key findings of the study, it needs to mention that the study has certain limitation. First of all, as mentioned above since the study has been conducted over a short period of time, only secondary data has been collected. Add to that the study has been conducted over a relatively short period of time and hence the findings of the study should be considered as indicative only (Ridley, 2008, p. 301). During the data analysis it has been found that there are mainly three groups of people; One of the groups have an opposing attitude towards gay marriage and believe that gay marriages is something which may not help the children. There is another set of group which has a very supporting attitude towards gay marriage and feels that gay marriage should be legalized. The final group of research says that there are not enough supporting evidences to ban same sex marriages (Campion, 1995). According to a research conducted by Pew research 55 percent of the people in America oppose same sex marriage and it is believed that this number is likely to be stable over a period of time. Add to this people who attend religious services once a week or more than that are actually against. This number is actually 73 percent. There are various opinions and theories as to why individuals oppose gay marriage. One of ht most famous theories is the fact that heterosexual marriage and children resulting from such marriage is actually a source of strength and this brings sense of stability to the society and hence homosexual marriages are not natural; children resulting from homosexual marriages are also not natural and hence such instances would destabilize the society. Another argument on the part of this group is that homo sexuality would actually lead to the destabilizing the institution of marriage. According this theory as most of the same sex couples do not actually believe that there is any need for monogamy in a committed relationship like marriage might mean that the sexual procreation and loyalty would not define martial relationships anymore. Another theory raised by this group is that the main purpose of marriage is to have children and raise them. But, since same sex couples do not have the ability to conceive children they should not marry. The last theory raised by the belonging to this group believes that those who provide to the same sex marriage actually do so is based on three myths, such as; same sex marriage behaviour is totally genetic and hence cannot be changed; homo sexual marriage is just like any other relationship between a man and a woman and at last; children raised by the homo sexual couple would do just about fine like those having mother and father. However; all these theories are not believed to be true. According to the findings of the same research 75% of the boys belonging to the age group of 16 stated that they are gay, become heterosexual at the age of 25. Same sex marriage is not the same as heterosexual marriage as same sex couples do not have the ability to procreate; and also various social science studies have stated that children do the best when children have a married mother and father (Spilsbury, 2011). Now moving towards the group that supports gay marriage it is to be said that the Pew research suggested that 38% of the people of America support same sex marriage. Another survey conducted by the Cornell University stated that majority of the people who have supported same sex marriage are younger than 35 years and well educated having a healthy living. However, percentage of women supporting gay marriage is more than that of men; 63 percent to 37 percent. Again just like the previous group people supporting the same sex marriage also have certain theories such as; same sex couples should hold the right to marry mainly because they would gain more legal benefits; Next is that the society of America is based on the idea of freedom and supreme court has already said that marriage happens to be a civil right. The final opinion says that some heterosexual may decide not to have children ever. Hence it can be concluded that the main purpose of marriage is not to have children and therefore according to this school of thought it is impossible to conclude that homosexual couples should not marry as they may not be able to have children (Nagle, 2010). The last group is rather diplomatic about the topic as compared to the other two groups. According to a very recent poll 58% of the people of America have opposed the amendment that would have banned the same sex marriage. Another survey has shown that among the 55% of the people that have opposed same sex marriage do not want the government to get involved in the banning of the same sex marriage. The responses of the people often come down to question as to whether people oppose same sex marriage or not. According a survey 40 percent of the people believe that the amendment should be given to the constitution and rest of the 60% believes that the decision should be left to the state laws. One of the most common opinions as to why people do not support same sex marriage is that the federal marriage amendment may undermine the right of the state. Federal marriage amendment would deprive the states from the power to endorse same sex marriage as even if the voters belonging to the states vote against in favour of it. Add to that the amending the constitution of United States to dent the lesbians and gays right to marry may turn out to be a disturbing deviation from the traditional US amendment (Andryszewski, 2007). Reflection Today same sex marriage is legally recognized in countries like Belgium, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Denmark, etc. The subject is debatable and has many individuals and states; who holds different opinions as to whether to vote for or against same sex marriage. Different religions tend to have different point of views on same sex people; and the same could be said about the politicians also. In today’s America it is seemed that the topic of same sex marriage is a highly controversial one and yet various people hold the issue close to the hearts. In several countries, the identification of same sex couple is well established. Denmark is the first country who has introduced same sex union’s legal reorganization. By observing this, several other countries also have granted several legal rights to these kinds of same sex couples. A theory raised by the belonging to this group believes that those who provide to the same sex marriage actually do so is based on three myths, such as; same sex marriage behaviour is totally genetic and hence cannot be changed; homo sexual marriage is just like any other relationship between a man and a woman and at last; children raised by the homo sexual couple would do just about fine like those having mother and father. Major of the same sex couples do not actually believe that there is any need for monogamy in a committed relationship like marriage might mean that the sexual procreation and loyalty would not define martial relationships anymore. Another theory raised by this group is that the main purpose of marriage is to have children and raise them. But, since same sex couples do not have the ability to conceive children they should not marry. 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(2008). The Literature Review: a step by step guide for students. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Robimson, A. (2008). Same Sex Marriage. California: Twenty-First Century Books. Spilsbury, A. (2011). Same-Sex Marriage. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group Staver, M. (2004). Same Sex Marriage. New York: B&H Publishing Group. Wardle, L. (2003). Marriage and Same Sex Union. NewYork: Greenwood Publishing. Read More