The Aspect of Gay Marriage in the Society - Term Paper Example

 Gay Marriage Introduction This paper analyzes The Aspect Of Gay Marriage In The Society. It gives a definition of what gay marriage is and how the society reacts to it giving a clear understanding of ethical problems associated to it. The paper discusses ethical issues presented with this type of marriage considering several other marriages accepted and reinforced in the society. Several theories exists which can be used to solve ethical problems presented by gay marriage. The paper will base on one classical theory to explain how it can be used to solve the ethical problems. A contrast is also made through analyzing gay marriage by looking at ethical relativism. The paper finally picks a view and argues upon it based on personal view. Thesis statement Several thesis statements can be used to give the view of gay marriage in society. It can be based on people’s standards and perception of culture. One such thesis statement states that perception and existing idea about wrongness and rightness of individual’s actions depends on culture from which they come from and geographical region of their existence. Gay marriage Every society has cultural ethics that shape it up. These cultures are enforced as daily norms and way of life in which every member of the society respects and follows. Marriage in society is given much weight since it is regarded as a fundamental unit in family creation where society is advanced and continuity guaranteed (Majeed, 2004). Just like all marriages, gay marriage involves union of two partners. This case becomes different since it involves same sex partners. They are allowed to have same set of legal rights as that which is held by heterosexual spouses. Several countries have legalized gay marriage which has led to heated debates and conflicts between religious groups and gay parties involved. Acceptance and reinforcement of legal rights of the gay existence in society has become a dangerous threat to domination of traditional Christian norms regarding sexuality and sex. Several ethics rule and guide the society since they set symbols of what is generally accepted. Every religious society fears that supporting homosexuality will lead to massive breakdown of values. Ethics are values that protect and hold together family and society. Different cultures also have different views regarding issue of gay marriage but generally societies are formed behind believe of heterosexual marriage and it is perceived to be the natural way of life (Majeed, 2004). Ethical consideration Ethics are considered to be cultural values that shape individuals way of life. All ethical views are relative to individual preference within the society. When every individual follows core set values within society then certain morals are set and expected to be adhered to. Ethics brought in and reinforced by religion within society are considered to be used in every area where religion exists (Darwall, 1995). This forms a worldwide culture that is recognized and accepted. Several ethics differ from culture to culture and they still are respected and the general society at large is expected to adhere to. When there is failure to adhere to set values result to several problems between individual and society (Hume, 1978). Ethical problems Every upcoming subculture that alters the existing culture in a way that erodes its existing values in a way which is perceived to be negative, it results to creation of conflicts. Gay marriage has not been accepted by all religious groups and those done are still un-liberalized. Gay marriages in family setups brought up in Christianity are not supported. Every Christian member is expected to support marriage between a man and a woman (Harwood, 1996). Other sexual feelings directed to individuals of same sex are considered immoral and giving the family a bad image. A problem gets created in the family since respect accorded to gay marriage is way out of religious context. Rejecting of married members within the family setup results to several negative psychological problems since one will feel that he is not wanted. Gay marriage in a Christian family breaks the values respected within that family hence it is not easily accepted (Majeed, 2004). Gay marriage automatically leads to conflicts with religion basing their perception on marriage matters. Religion has been widely known to set the rules and ethical codes to be accepted by members of that religion. Going against ethical codes of religion and their expectations will result to being denied from the religion. Every individual in society gets affected to some extend by religion since interaction with it is in almost every context of one’s life (Darwall, 1995). Therefore denial from religion holds several repercussions to the party in question. Christians understands and respect marriage between a man and a woman and marriage ties are also respected. Muslims and other religions give the same weight for marriage since through marriage families brought up will be able to support and maintain the religion. Gay marriage cannot bring forth children who will ensure sustenance of a family (Baldwin, 1998). Conflict with society arises when individuals break ethical codes which are massively accepted and respected by society. Marriage is a sensitive issue since it is the basic unit of the society. It is regarded as a symbol of gauging health of a society. Gay marriage in societies that have not accepted it will mean that individuals involved are against cultural practices respected by all. Disrespect shown to society’s cultures can lead to one being disowned from the culture and considered an outcast (Crary & Leff, 2011). Utilitarianism theory Utilitarian theory is a classical theory explaining the issue of ethics. It considers that there is existence of morally accepted right actions which individuals should produce and that the actions are directed to what is regarded as being good. It bases its fact on aspect of outcome of actions done by an individual. The consequences that are produced from actions taken by an individual depict if what has been done is morally right or wrong. Utilitarian theory argues that in context of one taking certain action or activity, it is important that he puts emphasis in achieving overall good expected by members of society he exists in. It is vital that actions one gets involved in should be beneficial to him and also addressing benefits of others around him (Rosen, 2003; Smart & Williams, 1973). It is expected that actions taken should provide relevant outcomes which are within codes of ethics provided. The theory argues that a good outcome should be in a position to be beneficial to a greatest number of others around in a good way (Majeed, 2004). Argument of this theory is that morally right behaviors should not be in a position to hurt others in anyway even psychologically. It provides that a good thing done by an individual increases happiness of others around. From right moral action taken others will emulate and keep repetition of what is considered right and satisfactory. Individuals in society will be evaluated morally and through consequences of their actions give moral direction to others within the same society (Darwall, 1995). The theory gives provision to actions which give rise to natural consequences of things. This gives an aspect of what an individual is entitled to do. Individual obligations therefore arise from different context. Obligation can come from authority of God which demands that we maintain our happiness and the happiness of those around us, obligation from law and our virtue. It accords disapproving and eliminating of acts seen as immoral (Rosen, 2003; Smart & Williams, 1973). How it solves the problems Utilitarian theory can be used to solve ethical problems associated with gay marriage. Considering the concept of a religious family setup, general expectation is that family members conduct heterosexual marriages where children will be brought up and respect achieved. Therefore on the side of gay party they should understand that their actions should be oriented towards achieving happiness of the family and should be in a position to support imitation. On the side of family, they should emphasize on importance of morally right actions and not to permit acts which erode ethical values (Darwall, 1995). Problems created between the church and gay party can be corrected based on obligation of individuals towards authority provided by God. It is up to the gay party to understand that they are required to embrace importance of marriage as sanctity and a symbol of respect and wish of God. Utilitarian theory advocates that acts which stand against moral acts should be discouraged and done away with for purpose of maintaining development and learning in society (Rosen, 2003; Smart & Williams, 1973). In societies where gay marriage is not accepted the theory indicates need to reinforce and develop what is good for whole society. It specifies that acts should be morally evaluated and direction provided from consequences. If gay marriage is accepted in society then it should be developed for good of all and if it is not accepted then it should be denounced. If an act is morally wrong and it is accepted and supported then certain repercussions lie in wait for the general society. Therefore it is important that actions be critically evaluated to understand extreme effect of their consequences if supported to in society (Mehren, 2004). Ethical relativism Ethical relativism is that perception which regards that an action that is morally right and that which is wrong can only be justified by context of culture, group and standards of an individual. Every culture defines what is right or wrong for its members and hence an individual forms standards and develop values relative to his culture. Ethical relativism is divided into descriptive and prescriptive (Harwood, 1996). Descriptive recognizes the existence of differences in cultures that is their standards and practices while prescriptive indicates that existence of differences require an evaluation of one cultures standards and behaviors and grading which is better between cultures is not allowed. Ethical relativism therefore is different from utilitarian theory in the framework that it advocates for not criticizing peoples morality and behavior (Rosen, 2003; Smart & Williams, 1973). Embracing of diversity in cultures is recommended under relativism and recognizing of different moral practices and standards is put into emphasis. Therefore, gay marriage under ethical relativism is permitted through accepting of diverse cultures and deleting of the issue of absolutism (Darwall, 1995). View and argument Diversity in culture is being accepted in every section of the world. Several heated debates arise due to need to conserve society’s culture but an understanding that every individual has his values and perception of culture is talking tall. Ethical relativism embraces idea of freedom of choice and granting of respect and acceptance to everyone (Harwood, 1996). Existence of uncertainty in justification of an individual’s moral values gives room for this perspective of choice to exist. Although their exists differences in culture addressing issues of what is right and wrong it is important we do not adapt any awkward set standards because of diversity. Certain reasonable cultures can be adopted and society encouraged adapting to them but not all cultures. Gay marriage to an extent is unreasonable since every existing society advocates for family respect and continuity through children. Gay marriage in all circumstances does not advocate continuity and without continuity life itself would be unsupportable (Darwall, 1995). Taking a stand point of societies which support and accept gay marriage we understand need to respect differences in culture. What is right and what is wrong depends to exactly what society has chosen as ethical. Therefore only the stand taken by societies that have legalized gay marriage can be judged as per what is morally right or wrong by itself. If the society has accepted it then even funding and advertising it as a way of life is accepted without guilt of being ethically out of context. Several countries in America have legalized gay marriage even in the middle of disagreement with religion views. An end result has been the acceptance of live and let live character (Rathus, 1991). It is important therefore to understand that in ethical relativism there exists no stand that someone is absolutely right and another one is wrong about various ethical beliefs and values. All ethical perceptions hence remain relative to preference or cultures of an individual. Debates and disagreements under this point are irresolvable since everyone is right in his own choice of actions which he has relevant supportive evidence from his society (Mehren, 2004). Restatement of the thesis As argued thesis statement states that perception and existing idea and acceptance about what is wrong and right of an individual’s actions depend on the culture accepted by the society and geographical region of their existence. Conclusion Ethical issues are found in every society since they shape ways, activities and actions of individuals. It is important that actions taken by one party do not affect society at large. Gay marriage as a culture that is fast developing need to be highly evaluated depending on which stand societies wishes to take. Ethical problems associated with gay marriage have been analyzed and solutions provided as per perception of utilitarian theory. Arguments have been derived from view provided by ethical relativism considering the standpoint of gay marriage currently in the world. References Baldwin, M. (1998) "Sexuality, Marriage, and Christian Values; Arguments for Including Gays in Full Christian Fellowship" Dirty Hippy Liberal Christian Home Journal Crary, D. & Leff, L. (2011) “Conservatives vow to make gay marriage 2012 Issue.” Associated Press. 24 Darwall, S. (1995) Hume and the Invention of Utilitarianism, University Park, PA: Penn State University Press. Harwood S. (1996), "Against MacIntyre's Relativistic Communitarianism" in Sterling Harwood, ed., Business as Ethical and Business as Usual, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co. Hume, D. (1978). A Treatise of Human Nature. Edited by L. A. Selby-Bigge, Oxford: Oxford University Press Majeed D. M., (2004) The Battle Has Been Joined: Gay and Polygynous Marriages Are Out of the Closet and in Search of Legitimacy, CROSSCURRENTS Mehren E., (2004) Acceptance of Gays Rises Among New Generation, L.A. TIMES Rathus, S. A., (1991) Essentials of Psychology 3rd ed. Fort Worth, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston Rosen, F. (2003). Classical Utilitarianism from Hume to Mill. Routledge Smart, J. J. C. & Williams, B., (1973). Utilitarianism; For & Against, Cambridge University Press Read More