The Slippery Slope Argument against Gay Marriage - Admission/Application Essay Example

Gay Marriage Gay marriage has remained a heated debate in the recent past and the debate seems to last. This polarized conversion has opponents on one extreme end and proponents on the other extreme end each with their arguments. An extreme opposition to gay marriage The slippery slopes argument against gay marriage is an extreme opposition to gay marriage. To the proponents of this argument, marriage is a union between one man and one woman. According to this argument, allowing gay marriage will open the institution of marriage to other forms of unions between more than two partners and even between human and non-humans. Proponents of this argument label the act of having more than two human beings having sexual unions as polyamory. This is an idea that originated in Greek and Latin referring to multiple loves. The argument looks at this arrangement as encouraging promiscuity citing that a majority of gay couples are engaged in multiple relationships (Dailey 1). The slippery slope argument also looks at marriage between a man and woman as necessary for reproduction and propagation of the society. The argument posits that these two persons of opposite sex provide love and care to their children bound by the social norm of faithfulness. According to this argument, only few gay couples choose to raise children. The proponents of this argument cite that it is better for gay couples not to raise children because they plagued with partner violence and promiscuity that they can impart on their children. These proponents charge that gay couples can make their children think that marriage is most sexual and transitory in nature (Dailey 1). The message of this argument connects well with the literature considered this term. The fear that allowing gay marriage will bring other effects such as promiscuity and union between humans and non-humans resonate the negative effects of allowing gay marriage covered in class. The language of this information such as defining marriage as union between a man and a woman is similar to the definition of heterosexual marriage we considered in class. The imagery of “slippery slope” connects with what was considered in the literature this term about the series of events that can follow the decision to allow gay marriage. The impact of this argument is best seen in how some people dread the likelihood of increase in promiscuity or the emergence of people wanting to be allowed to marry non-humans (Dailey 2). Extreme support for gay marriage The argument that gay marriage should be allowed because marriage inequality encourages discrimination in other areas of life is an extreme example of support of gay marriage. The proponents of this argument believe that not allowing gay marriage shows that discrimination based on sexual orientation is acceptable. They cite that eighty five federal laws have been amended recognizing gay de facto partners and that only the Marriage Act has remained as the federal law that discriminates against gay couples. This argument holds that gay couples are treated with prejudice and suspicion in workplaces during recruitment, promotion and other employment processes. The argument equates this discrimination to racial discrimination especially in light of the potential genetic basis of gay behavior (Lipp p3). Those who seek for marriage equality charge that gay marriage is a civil rights issue that should be entrenched in the law like heterosexual marriage. The argument states that the Bill of Rights does not exclude gays from the rights accorded other citizens and that these rights include the right to marry. The people who support this argument believe that allowing gay marriage would be a step closer to wining the fight against all forms of discrimination. A section of those supporting this argument believes that allowing gay marriage shows support for cultural diversity. The argument of that gay couples should be give marriage equality cites that this would affirm the worth of gay people as people who contribute to the daily life in many ways including economically, politically and vocationally (Lipp p3). The message of the argument that gay marriage should be allowed because encouraging marriage inequality encourages discrimination connects with the literature we considered this term. The connection is best seen in the literature we considered about some proponents who think that it is discriminatory not to allow homosexuals marry like heterosexuals do. The language of this argument that implies that there can be a genetic basis to homosexual behavior echoes the material covered this term on the causes of homosexuality. This argument can have the impact of influencing the adoption of laws that safeguard the right of gay couples to marry (Lipp p3). Analyzing these arguments Slippery slope The slippery slope argument against gay marriage can be analyzed by considering the applicability of the slippery slope metaphor. Once one slips and fall on slope, they might not have so much they can do to stop rolling down the slope. The proponents of the slippery slope argument against gay marriage believe that removing the limitation that marriage is a union between two persons of opposite sex is the same as leaving marriage boundless and open to all forms of unions. These unions can range from unions between siblings, many individuals and union between human beings and animals (Dailey 3). In analyzing this argument, it can help to consider related idea such as causality that would actually support the truth of this argument. Causality posits that one variable has the capacity to influence another in terms of bringing it into existence or causing it to fluctuate. Skeptical analysis of the idea can lead to the argument that it does not necessary mean that allowing gay marriage will definitely lead to other forms of unions. Critics of induction cite this all the time saying that the fact that the sun rose yesterday does guarantee it will rise tomorrow (Dailey 4). Marriage inequality encourages other forms of discrimination The proposition that gay marriage should be allowed because marriage inequality encourages other forms of discrimination can best be analyzed by considering the basis of the argument. The proponents of this argument emphasize the love and commitment elements of marriage citing that it is unfair to disallow gay marriage because these the same reasons as to why heterosexuals marry. Another basis for this argument is the lived experiences of gay people in other aspects of life. Those supporting this argument reckon that anti-gay employers and colleagues in the workplace treat gay people with repugnance. According to the proponents, this treatment is unfair because the gay person might be as qualified as any other person in the workplace might with the only difference being their sexual orientation (Lipp p3). This argument can also be analyzed by looking at how it relates with the idea that gay behavior is biological and gay people cannot do much to change it. Usually, certain things in the biology of human beings can be corrected using medical means including surgery and the lack of a way to correct gay behavior especially medically gives gay marriage proponents grounds to argue that gays should not be discriminated. This argument should be also be analyzed for the truthfulness of the argument that allowing gay marriage will be step closer to winning the fight against all forms of discrimination. The argument would hold especially in view of how consistently discrimination has been fought in the society (Lipp p3). Lesson learnt I have learnt that as one takes his or her stance on the issue of gay marriage, it is important to consider the like effects that come with that stance if it was to be upheld by the society. The stance of allowing gay marriage can lead to radical undesirable changes in the institution of marriage. On the other hand, the stance can also lead to a reduction of the injustices committed against gay people because of their sexual orientation. I have learnt not take my rights for granted. The events of this polarized debate including lawsuits and other lobbying for the right to marriage equality have taught me that it is not for granted to have the right to express one’s self as freely. I have learnt that besides the obvious emotional reasons why people marry, there legal reasons too (Dailey 4). My ideas and how they fit into this political, social, moral, conversation One of my ideas about the debate about gay marriage is that everybody has a right to express themselves freely in their own way. The constitution grants the right to freedom of expression and that should be honored. However, I believe that the rights and freedoms cannot be enjoyed in isolation and that they affect one another. As such, the right that gay people are seeking to be allowed to marry will affect the rights of others in the society some of whom are heterosexual. When granted, this right can radicalize thoughts about marriage causing confusion in to which way is right. The confusion would be most felt by children who will grow up not knowing which people they should date or marry (Dailey 3). I believe that it is not right to discriminate against gay people by denying them access to jobs, promotion, education, or healthcare. However, I believe that the decision to allow them legalized access to marriage is a decision that needs much consideration. Whereas I am cognizant of the fact that surrogacy and adoption are ways that can help make up for the sterility of gay marriage, I reckon that children born from this ways will lack the biological connection with their real parents. Finally, there has been evidence about the complementarities of two persons of opposite gender bringing up children something that will lack in the life of children brought up in gay marriage (Dailey 4). In conclusion, the slippery slope argument against gay marriage posits that allowing gay marriage can open marriage to other forms of unions. Proponents on the other hand argue that marriage inequality encourages other forms of discrimination. There is a need to take weigh out the effects of the decision one takes on the debate. Works Cited Dailey, Timothy. “The Slippery Slope of Same-Sex Marriage.” Family Research Council. 2004. Web. May 12, 2014. Lipp, Murray. “Seven reasons gay marriage will you even if you are straight.” PolicyMic 2013. Web. May 12, 2014. Read More