Exploration of a Sociological Journal Article - Research Paper Example

 The equal rights movement has always been a hotbed of controversy in the United States. Freedom of speech and belief allows for multiple perspectives, even if they could be considered detrimental to the concept of freedom itself. The quest for equal rights has reached across many oppressed groups, but the most publically debated battle in recent years has been the call for gay marriage rights. However, as countries around the world move toward equalization of rights for gay couples, much of the United States has instead responded with the government-sponsored mobilization of groups in support of the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) and similar legislation.

A 2003 study by Barry D. Adam entitled "The Defense of Marriage Act and American Exceptionalism: The Gay Marriage" examines the factors that influence the American government's political sanctions against the legitimization of non-heterosexual marriage. The author presents a qualitative, largely historical review of existing research as it relates to exposing the variables that underlie the favor of DOMA-influenced regulations in American politics. While the review itself is in essay form, the research discussed includes both qualitative and quantitative studies.

This article utilizes research into the evolution of race-influenced marriage-preservation movements as a method of illuminating the core influences of non-heterosexual marriage opposition. According to the author, previous studies have identified induced moral panic as the mechanism of DOMA-type movements, but have failed to further examine the factors that give rise to such panic. It is suggested that this response can be linked to the use of exclusion as a means of maintaining power by ostracizing nonconformists, as in the case of church opposition to non-traditional marriages.

This concept also applies to the conflict that arises when the attempt is made to reconcile gay marriage with the stereotypical American national identity. Aside from the obvious influence of religion in American politics, the country has also been consistently exposed to the traditional family metaphor as a form of nation-building. The nuclear family archetype has dominated many subsections of American society as a result of the persistent political employment of this metaphor. An additional factor identified as a potential contributor to DOMA-compatible perspectives is the concept known as American exceptionalism, which describes the attitude that the United States has a privileged responsibility to spread American values.

Exceptionalism would explain the resistance to international influence that the American government frequently exhibits. This article aids in clarifying the influences that underlie the political support of DOMA and similar initiatives in the United States. The author succeeds in making a positive contribution to the field of sociology by offering a cohesive explanation of behaviors that lead to the institution of acts like DOPA. Only by better understanding these behaviors can we begin to understand their influence within society.

The material covered in this article can be applicable to many chapters in our textbook, especially that which focuses on the sociological concept known as the "other", as well as the introduction of ethnocentrism. Journal articles such as this one provide advantages over other reports (television, magazine, etc.) in the form of peer review. To be accepted for print in a refereed journal, an article must meet the high standards and often intense scrutiny of a panel comprised of peers in research.

While this measure is not foolproof, it offers us a reason to be generally more trusting of journal articles when compared to other sources of information.ReferenceAdam, B. D. (2003). The Defense of Marriage Act and American exceptionalism: The gay marriage" panic in the United States. Journal of the History of Sexuality, 12(2), 259-276.