Gay Marriages and Contemporary Society - Research Paper Example

? Gay marriages and modern day society Since the early 1990s, issues of same sex unions have increased across the United s, as they have across the globe. In fact, several states, including California and Massachusetts, have openly supported same sex marriages, going a step further to award regular certificates to such marriages. In what appears to be a slow acceptance and integration of these unions in to the mainstay society, many legal systems across the country have consented to their existence, citing protection of human rights and basic human freedoms as their main concern. Whereas this trend seems entrenched in the western world, most of the African, Asian, and Latin American states have openly abolished such marriages in their constitutions. For instance, Uganda, an East African country openly denounced gay and lesbian relations, terming them as unnatural and purely animalistic traits. In many Middle East and Islamic Asian nations, this is unheard of, since it conflicts with the Islamic teachings, which govern behaviour and relation in such areas (Bramlett, 2012). Although human rights crusaders champion for the inclusion of such unions, based on the assertion that consenting humans should enjoy the freedom of choosing their actions, such calls have not yielded many results, especially in conservative and traditional societies. Efforts by developed world to persuade poorer nation into accepting the trait as an incentive for donor and development financing have not yielded much benefits. However, the trend is slowly catching pace, even in the most unfamiliar areas, thanks to globalization, technology, and the seemingly increasing disregard for religion and traditional persuasions (Barry, 2011). Love is a shared experience between two people who mutually consent to live and share their lives. Contrary to some traditional and religious belief systems, the western world does not approve romantic relations involving more than two people. Most definitions of the term marriage restrict the scope to only two people who enter into a long-term commitment, living together under one roof, and sharing their possessions. Gay marriages have not been left aside, as human right crusaders intensify their campaigns to entrench them in mainstream judicial systems. In Canadian legal systems for instance, marriage refers to the existence of a lifelong voluntary union between a male and a female, excluding the influence of other members of the society. This implies that according to the Canadian definition, marriage is a preserve for a man and a woman, which does not recognise the existence of third parties. In many wedding functions across board; religions, traditional societies, civil institutions and secular set ups, marriage is only between two people. Of course, the recent trends in social dynamics, which allow same-sex unions, have changed wedding scenes to include those of same sex couples. However, the fundamental principle of two people remains (Barry, 2011). Traditional systems and some religions, which acknowledge polygamy, usually do separate ceremonies for every marriage that the polygamous person enters. Whereas the prevalent definitions do not acknowledge same sex unions, they are increasingly becoming popular. In fact, some jurisdictions across the globe already recognise these kinds of union, providing legally binding certification to such couples. Ideally, as argued out in the above passage, marriage should thus involve two people in a union defined by love mutual trust and respect, honesty and commitment to a common goal (Jones, 2010). The analysis of the influence of same sex marriages on societies cannot be complete without exploring its impacts on the children. As noted by experts, children adopted and brought up by gay parents exhibit some form of mental, emotional and psychosocial deprivation compared to those from normal couples in heterosexual setups. Owing to such incidences, it is, perhaps, in the best interest of every single champion of family and children rights to oppose the idea of gay marriages. In recent days, gays have increasingly gained recognition in the market place, venturing into professional field in similar threshold like the normal people. Recruitment and service into the military and other security agencies is a classic example of this, shedding of the rigorous exercise of investigating and dismissing gays from their borders. As part of the contagious human rights debates, homosexuals and their sympathisers fight for equal rights with the rest of the society. Over time the concerns centred on improving access to access to health, education, shading of discriminative practices like prohibition of same sex romance in public areas, refusal to participate in blood donations, and similar forms of discriminations, access to workplaces and freedom for expression. In recent developments, human rights and equality campaigns have expanded their focus to include inherent rights within the family setup, especially in the area of marriage, relationships and power relations between couples in gay unions. Through this, the idea of a man marrying a fellow man, or a woman marrying a woman, is slowly finding its way into the mainstream society. In most African societies, and Islamic societies of the Middle East and traditional societies of Asian and Central American descent, the practice of same sex unions is largely alien to the populace. According to the prevailing cultures, women should bow to all the social dictates of their male chauvinist societies, unwillingly playing along with the practice of polygamy. The recognition of a marriage is only on the basis of a man and a woman coming to a mutual consent to raise a family together. Same sex unions are a taboo, and the participants are a outcast and a disgrace to the society. International organizations, particularly those involved in human rights advocacy, are unwelcome in such societies. The only valid explanation is that they destroy the social fabric on which the societies have basis. In the end, such organizations find themselves faced with all sorts of accusations, forcing them to terminate their activities in such societies. Interestingly, there exist a strong link between same sex marriages and drug abuse, idolatry, marital abuses, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (Wirth, 2010). As alluded to earlier in the text, the welfare of children is a central concern for every loving relation. As fruits of a romantic relation, children and their well-being is very vital to the marriage set up. Unfortunately, same sex relations tend to interfere with this basic tenet of marriage. This is because of the existence of otherwise unnatural relations, which may influence the orientation of the young children, way before they can make their own decisions in life. Further, gay couples lack the natural affection to their adopted children, and may be a cause of personality disorders in the kids, especially where their unions are unstable, and there are no clear-cut relation roles between the parents. The case is worse off when gay parents, especially those on drugs, begin to abuse the children, or introduce them to their way of live at a small age. When gay couples have disagreements with their spouses, the tendency is to run for solace in the arms of other gays is prevalent. Unknowingly, the couple begins to become detached from the children and everything else in that relationship as well. This explains the existence of child neglecting and abuse on one end, and favouritism on the other. Events of this nature result to hatred between the couples, often resulting into unhealthy rivalry once the couples enter new relations. Children in such setups may develop personality disorder, hate and low self-esteem. Worst of all, is the tendency to develop a low regard for relations among the children. This is because such behaviour can result to personality challenges in their adulthood, making them exercise active unfaithful heterosexual relations. To evaluate the overall impact of gay marriages on children, it is crucial to take prevailing societal values, morals and norms into account. This serves a benchmark against which children behaviour can be evaluated (Murphy, 2010). However, there exist gay marriages and relations, which have held very conducive environments for the kids to grow. In the case of some gay families, the members of the family recognise a religious duty to ensure equity in dealing with the family issues, attaching high importance to children rights. They work hard to provide for their families sufficiently, and invest considerable effort into building strong ties between their spouses and the children (Murphy, 2010). In such cases, the issue of gay marriages helps to bring up less fortunate children, or those resulting from unwanted pregnancies. It is however important to note that such cases are rare, and involve social icons, who have greater goals. It is therefore not common in the majority of gay marriages, which have their basis on otherwise confused orientations, and failure in life. In conclusion, gay romantic relations are a way of life, alien to many societies, which offers more negatives than positives in the modern day context. As discussed earlier in the text, the impact of gay marriages on the couples, the rights and equalities of all people, and the children have profound effects on the society. The inability of either couple to offer love, respect, honesty and equal treatment to the other couple leads to feeling of dehumanization for some. It also contributes a great deal of problems in the families, and threatens unity among the family members. The impact on children is perhaps, the most significant of them all. The negative impact of flawed relations on children is a big gamble for any society to condone. Therefore, it is my considered opinion that gay marriages have no place in modern day society. Love and romantic relations should be purely a preserve of two consenting adults, of the opposite sex at any one given time. Annotated Bibliography Barry, P. (2011). Same-Sex Marriage and the Charge of Illiberality: Social Theory & Practice, Vol. 37 Issue 2, The author of this article examines the issue of same sex marriages, taking a social approach. Barry takes on the issues as in the context of miserliness, which is one of the ugly faces that society ascribes to the issue. Whereas he attempts to take a balanced criticism to the practice, the use of social theory and practice to premise the underlying arguments, the article ends up in a sharp negative undertone on the issue of gay marriages. The article in its submission calls for a return to social norms and universally acceptable practices. This article is well crafted, starting from a general overview of the debates, facts, general trends in the society. It take the reader through a balanced enquiry on the topic, culminating in a build up of his submission on the issue. Through this, the article manages to keep interest to both those opposed and those in support of the gay marriages, but in the end gives his opinion as a deduction from the arguments in the text. Bramlett, B. (2012). The Cross-Pressures of Religion and Contact with Gays and Lesbians, and Their Impact on Same-Sex Marriage Opinion: Politics & Policy, Vol. 40 Issue 1. Bramlett offers a closer look at the cold reception of gay and lesbian practices by the major world religions. In the text, the author points out the irreconcilable differences between the different religious faiths and the champions of gay and lesbian rights. Whereas there exist some pockets of religious leaders practicing these practices, the author maintains that such people are few, exhibit some form of deviance, and do not represent a big population. In the end, the article inclines towards the huge differences between the various religions and the same-sex practices. This article is a great enquiry to the place of religion in the issues of relationships. It brings out the truth, and the existing dilemma in the conduct of affairs touching on gays and lesbians in the mainstream religions. However, the article does not persuade the leader as to the impact of this conduct on the position taken by religious groups on same-sex unions. Brennan, F. (2011). Gay marriage debate has a long way to go: Eureka Street, Vol. 21 Issue 24, p64-66, 3p, The author of this article dispels the assertions that the society is headed to an acceptance and tolerance of same sex marriages. He argues that the debate is far from over, pointing out the differences in each of the opposing camps. According to him, the champions will continue agitating for their rights, whereas the opposing camps have no signs of relenting. The article is a very balanced insight to the gay marriage issues, providing both pro, and opposing thoughts in a balanced manner. The truth, which the author captures pretty well is that every camp has a case for their preferred position on the issue. It is therefore a great read, which accommodates all the stakeholders in the debate, and leaving an open- ended conclusion, for the reader to decide. Jones, N. (2010). Gay marriage will happen -get over it. New Statesman, Vol. 141 Issue 5096. The author gives a one-sided assessment of the whole issue, highlighting the zealous determination those gay rights activists have in their resolve to institute and legitimise their course. The article puts a burden on all these opposing the practice, encouraging tolerance and acceptance, since the right to individual choices is inherently enshrined in the constitution. The author has a very candid case, which he puts forward in strong terms. While advocating for his course, the article gives no room for any descending undertones, making it come out as authoritarian information. The biggest undoing of the text is that it puts off criticality, and does not encourage readers with a different opinion to read the next paragraph. Murphy, T. (2010). Same-Sex Marriage: Not a Threat to Marriage or Children. Journal of Social Philosophy, Vol. 42 Issue 3. The author of the article ventures in a controversial topic, which is one of the major areas where critics point to in discrediting same-sex marriages. While pointing to the few successful gay parenting, the author struggles with a burden of proving that gay marriages can actually be successful in parenting. However, the article falls short of explaining the nexus of the practice with social philosophy. Whereas there could be a possibility of healthy upbringing of children under same-sex marriages, the basic definition of a family set up recognises the need for a balanced set up, in which the child learns and acquires a balanced orientation. Olson, T. (2010). The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage: Newsweek, Vol. 155 Issue 3, p48-54, 6p Unlike the case with the article by Jones, (2010), the article is clear opposition of the gay rights debate. It brings out the conservative thinking about gay marriages. This is the old way of thinking, which recognises a man and a woman as the only entities in a marriage set up. This article is well thought out, giving a kind of ancient view to the whole issue of same-sex unions. This important in addressing the basic issue, which conservatives fight to retain in the society. The only flaw is that the author ignores the fact that human beings have a free will, and freedom to determine their life choices. Wirth, S (2010). Affirming Gay Men's Monogamous Marriages. Jung Journal; Culture & Psyche, Vol. 4 Issue 3. The author discusses the issue of marriages on an open sense, building his case on the recognition that marriage is a union between two consenting adults. Here, the issue of sex, whether male or female is inconsequential, in as far as the entities are mutually committed to fidelity to each other. In my opinion, this is sharp contrast on the prevalent belief that the definition recognises that the sexes should be different. Although the author manages to bring out the argument of love, trust and honesty as the basic attributes in a marriage, down playing the role that women play in bringing up children, and the impact of raising children in a unisex set up is a big undoing. Read More