Public Opinion About Same-Sex Marriage - Essay Example

Public Opinion about Same-Sex Marriage Public Opinion about Same-Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage is a controversial around the world. In the US, conservative activists including Christians and religious groups have supported the US Senate constitutional amendments that seek to limit marriage between heterosexual couples. At the same time, younger people, students and liberal lesbian and gay activists have challenged the state and local laws that prohibit same-sex marriage. In the year 2004, same-sex marriage was a serious issue in the history of American politics following the Massachusetts supreme judicial court’s ruling that it could not prohibit same-sex marriage. This resulted into several constitutional amendments to codify marriage as a heterosexual institution. Despite the controversy surrounding the subject, it is interesting to note that societal changes, coupled with policy changes endorsed by advocacy groups and some politicians have made legalizing same-sex marriage possible. This paper explores the issue of same-sex marriage and the various public opinions surrounding this controversial subject. Changes in the societal environment have made same-sex marriage more favorable and acceptable in the US. Rom (2007) observes that major changes in the social conception of marriage and the shifting perspectives regarding homosexuality have resulted into several institutional policy changes that seem to favor same-sex marriage. Rom also notes that for a long time, religion, especially the Catholic faith, has been a major opposing force to same-sex marriage. However, he observes that not all churches have supported the religious view of marriage as a union between a man and woman of different sex. Religious organizations such as the Unitarian Universalist Association, the American Judaism and the United Church of Christ have been on the forefront in voicing the rights of the homosexuals and advocating for the legalizing of same sex marriage. Other churches such as the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Massachusetts and the evangelical Lutheran Church of America continues to struggle with the issue of same-sex marriage. Although the dominant churches and religion seem to oppose the notion of same-sex marriage, it is important to note that religious views are becoming more lenient and accommodating on this controversial issue. Similarly, human rights policy plays a very important role in the definition of the institution of marriage and in determination of human rights protection for the heterosexual couples. Smith observes that the “…Americans are simply more conservative, more religious and less post materialist…factors that have fatally undermined support for lesbian and gay rights in the U.S”(227). Apart from changes in the societal environment, it is also important to note that the public opinion and attitude towards same-sex marriage, policies and practices have become more lenient, liberal and accommodating with the passage of time. Trends in pubic opinion indicate that the public has been more sympathetic to same-sex marriage since 1973. Rom observes that although the majority of Americans are still opposed to same-sex marriage, available statistics indicates a major split in the public opinion regarding its legality. Similarly, Smith observes, “In the 2004 elections, 11 states banned gay marriage and the marriage ban referenda were credited with increasing voting turnout in some states[however] courts have issued rulings in favor of same-sex marriage in Hawaii, Vermont, and Massachusetts”(Smith, 2005, p. 225). Public opinion has played a great role in the policy framework surrounding the issue of same sex marriage. Colvin (2010) suggests that the media has a significant impact on public opinion, which influences the government agenda on societal problems. He observes that public opinion, which is promoted by the media, has significantly influenced government action in implementing policies regarding the rights and freedoms of homosexuals. It is therefore important to understand trends in public opinion and their likely impact on the future of marriages in the US. As Lewis and Charles(2008) observes, several estimates indicate support of same-sex marriage in California is stronger than the other states and shows significant future growth potential than the rest of the country(fig 1).The CNN/Time series indicates strong support in the early 1990’s which dropped in 1996 with the emergency of the DOMA debate. On the other hand, the Pew Research Center and Gallup indicates positive trends from 1996 followed by negative trends in the wake of 2003-2004 political campaigns. The Field poll indicates a positive trend in support of homosexuality in California since 1977. Fig. 1: Trends in support of same-sex marriage Source: Field Poll, Pew Research Center, CNN/Time and Gallup, Lewis and Charles (2008, p.8) According to Lewis and Charles (2008), support for same sex marriage has been growing in the past two decades because of the changing attitude of individuals and population towards the subject. Their study indicates that the liberals, democrats and less religious groups have been supportive of same-sex marriage while African Americans, republicans, Protestants and conservatives lead the opposing debate. The table below indicates the changing attitude regarding homosexuality is California in 2006 since adulthood (fig. 2). Fig.2: Attitude changes towards homosexuality since adulthood, 2006 Source: Lewis and Charles: changing opinion on same-sex marriage in California, 2008 p.13 Several conclusions can be drawn from the findings illustrated in the table above. Firstly, it is important to note that younger people are more accommodating and supportive of the subject of same sex marriage. Two possible explanations can be provided for these changing trends. The first one is that the younger people are more liberal and accommodative than the older people. The second one, according to Becker (2006) and Fiorina (2005), is attributed to the changing patterns of socialization, the growing trends towards a society, which is more accepting of the homosexual people and the positive image about gay, and lesbians’ depicted in the film, movies and media. The second observation that can be drawn from the above findings is that acceptance and support of same-sex marriage seems to grow with the level of education. According to Bobo and Likari (1989), education level plays a great role in the debate regarding same-sex marriage because it exposes individuals to diverse points of views and also opens them up to various societal and political tolerances. Herek (1988) who argues that education increases the probability of public self-disclosure, self-acceptance and knowing homosexuals openly offers a similar observation. Similarly, Doris (2000) argues that education plays a great role in influencing attitudes towards gay rights policy adoption. Thirdly, the graph above indicates differing opinions based on the ideology for which the concerned person is affiliated. A lot of support for same-sex marriage seems to come from the liberal democrats. The moderate ideologists seem to lie in between, indicating a split support for and against the subject of homosexuality. However, the conservative republicans are less accepting of the same-sex marriages. Similarly, support for same-sex marriage seems to be influenced by political identification and affiliation. The democrats are supportive followed by the independent party while the republicans are less supportive. Kaufman (2002) observes that this is because of their conservative family values and societal values of the institution of marriage. Fourthly, there seems to be differing opinions in relations to same-sex marriage based on gender. The table above indicates that women are more accommodating and supportive of homosexuality than men. Davies (2004) argues that this is mainly because men find homosexuality more threatening to their survival. Lastly, race is also a significant factor with the blacks and Asians being less accepting than the Latino and Non-Hispanic whites are. Conclusion It emerges the changing societal values have played a great role in influencing attitudes towards same-sex marriage, its acceptance and legalization in the US. This study has demonstrated the diverse effects of demographic and political factors on the public opinion of the subject of homosexuality. Age, ideology, religion and education have led to differing perspectives and level of acceptance of the topic of homosexuality in the US. It emerges that support for same sex marriage has grown with the changing public opinion and the accommodative population. Although resistance is still felt in various sectors of the society, available studies indicate that age remains a major factor with cohort replacement and general change in societal attitudes towards homosexuals. There is also a major split in religion, with some strongly opposing same sex-marriages and other coming out strongly to support it. It is however interesting to note that public opinion, through the influence of the media has played a great role in influencing the attitudes towards same-sex marriage and promoting the use of government resources by the gay and lesbian community to influence public and human rights policy in their favor. The future of same-sex marriage in the US looks more promising with increased political involvement and growth of homosexual activists who are influencing legislation towards legalization of these marriages. References Becker, R.(2006). Gay-themed television and the slumpy class. Television and New Media, 7(2): ` 184-215. Bobo, L. & Licari, F.C.(1989). Education and political tolerance: Testing the effects of cognitive ` sophistication and target group affect. Public Opinion Quarterly, 53(3): 285-308. Colvin, R.A.(2010). Understanding Policy Adoption and Gay Rights: The role of the media and ` other factors. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, 11(2):1-19 Davies, M. (2004). Correlates of negative attitudes towards gay men: Sexism, male role norms, ` and male sexuality. Journal of Sex Research, 41(3): 259-266. Doris, J.(1999). Antidiscrimination Laws in Local Government: Analysis of Municipal Lesbian ` and Gay Public Employment. In, Gays and Lesbians in the Democratic Process(15-32). ` Columbia University Press. New York, NY Fiorina, M.P. (2005). Culture War: The Myth of a Polarized America. New York: Pearson ` Longman. Herek, G.M.(1988). Heterosexuals’ attitudes towards lesbians and gay men: Correlates and ` gender differences. Journal of Sex Research, 25(4): 457-477. Kaufmann, K.M.(2002). Culture wars, secular realignment and the gender gap in party ` identification. Political behavior, 24(3):283-307. Lewis, G.B. & Charles, W.G. (2008). Changing Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage: The ` Case of California. Politics and Policy, 36(1): 4-30 Rom, C.M.(2007). The politics of same-sex marriage. In, C.A. Rimmerman &W. Clyde (Eds.), ` The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage (1-38). USA: University of Chicago Press. Smith, M. (2005). The politics of same-sex marriage in Canada and United States. PS: Political ` Science & Politics (April 2005):225-228 Read More