Argument For Legalization of Gay Marriage - Essay Example

Gay Marriage should be Legal Introduction Gay marriage has become a contentious issue in most nations. Most gay couples are seen as inferior and treated as minority groups whose rights should not be taken into consideration. Consequently, some of them have come out publicly to express their sexuality choices, causing heightened criticism. Most critics allege that homosexuality is immoral and against biblical principles. However, this is not so as people ought to live as they wish without having their rights and freedom violated. Although most people do not support the legalization of gay marriage, this treatise argues that it ought to be legalized since it is their civil right, which is entirely different from religious beliefs. As the paper unfolds, reasons given by critics on why gay marriage should not be legalized will be counterattacked by supporting arguments. Same sex couples should be treated equally and allowed full benefits of marriage without being seen as inferior or immoral as they help in adopting children, bringing up open minded children, contributing financially through taxation, and due to the fact that failing to support them is a direct violation of their human rights. Discussion It is the contention of this treatise that gay marriage should be legalized because of the numerous benefits that come with it. For instance, same sex marriages help in ensuring that cases of children adoption are heightened. Critics argue that gay marriages promote immorality among children who end up following similar routes (White 241-242). However, this is a baseless and fallacious argument, considering that gay marriage helps in ensuring that homeless children get loving families who can take care of them just like other children coming from straight family backgrounds. Additionally, the choice to be a gay is optional and not imposed on any one. Therefore, alleging that the act promotes immorality as children adopted end up being gay is an irrational argument that should not be put into consideration. It should be noted that gay marriage helps in encouraging solid family values as it leads to an increased number of children adopted. Additionally, most people argue that gay marriages ought not to be legalized since it goes against the moral as well as the definition of marriage. They also allege that it ends up destroying the sanctity of a society and family values. Others go ahead to allege that it is against religious ideologies such as Islam and Catholicism (Andryszwski 33-34). However, this is an equally unfounded point considering that religious and civil marriages are separate institutions. Today, most couples do not require religious leaders to be present in their wedding; therefore, the grounds of law and religion are two separate entities. Furthermore, though religious beliefs are important, it is to be understood that not all people are religious or believe in the doctrines of the church. Therefore, failing to support such groups is a direct violation of their freedom. Though most people strongly believe that children need both parents, the American Psychological Association claims that girls who are raised without the support of their fathers are at high risk of getting involved in sexual activities (American Psychological Association). Additionally, critics often argue that gay households do not offer an appropriate environment for raising children. Again, this is rather a biased, baseless, and irrational observation as studies carried out on children raised from same sex households’ shows that children from such families feel empathetic and open minded as compared to other children (DeMotier). This is because the quality of family relationships is more crucial among those children than the structure. Additionally, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, children who are raised by gay families perform just as well as those raised by straight families (Knox and Schacht 263). For that reason, gay marriages should be legalized and people should learn how to be open minded about similar issues and not just rely on religion. Another major reason why gay marriages ought to be legalized is because of the financial benefits that come with it. Although some people claim that legalizing gay marriage might cost a lot of tax money, it ought to be understood that gay couples equally pay taxes. In that case, they have a right to get similar benefits just as other straight couples. Furthermore, gay marriages will ensure more financial benefits emanating from higher taxes, marriage licenses, and reduction in costs related to anti-gay campaigns (The Advocate 68-69). On the same note, treating gay couples as normal families under the US law can help a lot in saving taxpayers money since marriages would ensure they assume a legal responsibility in relation to their joint expenses; hence, reducing their immense dependence on programs for instance Medicaid. Most of the people who oppose gay marriages have an outdated and biased ideology as they often argue that marriage should be seen as a bond between a woman and a man. Nevertheless, this is an unsubstantiated point considering that there is no proof to show that making it legal for gay people who love each other to marry and live happily violates the institution of marriage. On the contrary, allowing gay marriages would help a lot in promoting marriages as well as supporting the humane decisions and right to care for every American citizen, ensuring justice and liberty. Therefore, gay marriages ought to be legalized since all citizens deserve equal treatment and rights regardless of their religion, beliefs, occupation, and sexuality. Conclusion Most critics argue against gay marriages on the basis of it being immoral. However, public policy should never be based on religion and if anyone’s religious convictions trigger them to believing that same sex marriage is immoral, it ought to be taken as a personal opinion, which should not be a thrust to other citizens. Others argue that gay marriages make heterosexual marriages meaningless and violate family values as well as the norms of the society. However, it is only right that gay people be treated the same as straight families because they help in increasing the rate of children adoption and ensuring financial benefits. For those reasons, gay marriages should be legalized. Works Cited American Psychological Association. The Changing Role of the Modern Day Father, 2013, Web. 26 September 2013 Andryszwski, Tricia. Same Sex Marriage; Moral Wrong or Civil Right? New York: Twenty-First Century Books, 2008 DeMotier, Beren. The Brides of March: Memoir of a Same Sex Marriage. United Kingdom: iUniverse, 2007. Print. Knox, David and Schacht, Caroline. Choices in Relationships: An Introduction to Marriage and the Family. Kentucky: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. The Advocate. How Gays could Save America Money, 1997. Web. 26 September 2013 < ttp://books.google.co.ke/books?id=TGQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA68&dq=legalizing+gay+marriages+and+financial+benefits;+tax+money&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QQR5UczGGeTa4QSN4YD4Cw&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=legalizing gay marriages and financial benefits%3B tax money&f=false> White, James. Contemporary Moral Problems. Kentucky: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print. Read More