The Prospects and Implications of Same-sex Marriage - Essay Example

Gay Marriage Should be Legalized Gay rights have been a hot public issue in America for some last decades. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed by Congress in 1996 protects the marriage rights of gays, since there were many states which had banned gay marriages before 1996. Congress approved the law in 2010, and legalized gay marriages. Gay rights include ceremonial marriages, child adoption, domestic partnership registration on public record, domestic partnership affidavit given by employers to gay employees that defines the couple’s economic relationship, health care, insurance, lawsuits, property, and the like. However, whether same sex individuals be allowed to marry is still controversial. This paper argues that gay marriage should be legalized because same-sex parents can prove to be better parents; it reinforces their rights as humans; and, it stabilizes the society through child adoption. Gay marriages should be legalized since same sex couples can prove to be better parents than opposite sex couples, as is suggested by Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz (as cited in Cooke, para.2). Family instability may take its toll on normal psychological development of children of both straight and same-sex couples, and so, it is not true that only gay parents prove to be bad parents by any means. They may prove to be better parents. Stacey and Biblarz argue that two men or women can raise kids better in terms of sexual growth, than a man or a woman in a traditional home setting. Kids of gay couples do not have to see one of their parents involved in extra-marital affairs. They do not have to see their moms and dads fighting with each other every day. Kids pay little attention to what the relationship between their parents is, or whether or not their relationship relates to societal norms or not. All they want is love, of parents towards them and also towards each other. So, the relationship between parents has nothing to do with children becoming homo or hetero-sexual. Thus, gay marriages should be legalized without getting concerned about the parenting capabilities of the couples involved. “Same-sex marriages will offer voluntary support to the institution by allowing freedom in selecting one’s partner”, states Bolte (1). She has focused upon the reinforcement of human rights regarding selection partner through utilitarian arguments. The concept of marriage must be redefined so that one gets to know what actually makes up a bond. Bolte criticizes dictionary’s definition of marriages which always defines it in terms of husband and wife. Dictionaries “spend little time explaining anything about the actual nature of Marriage” (Bolte 1). Since courts have eliminated fertility clauses in marriage contracts, thus it is no longer necessary that marriage should be between opposite sexes. This elimination of fertility clause leads to the legalization of marriages between same sexes who are not able to bear children. If marriage is defined in law as a bond that only aims to reproduce children, then all elderly and infertile couples should also be robbed of their marriage licenses. Hence, same-sex marriages should be considered as legal under the revised laws. If same-sex marriages are legalized, then this would result in all citizens being accepted by the society on equal basis. This will stabilize the society more than if only opposite-sex marriages are allowed. Same-sex marriages will enable all individuals to live on a fair basis no matter they are heterosexuals or homosexuals. More and more gays and lesbians are adopting children today, a practice which eliminates the requirement that couples should make children and bear their responsibilities in order to legalize their marriage. Gays and lesbians also carry out all responsibilities regarding their adopted children and this strengthens their bondage throughout life. More children will get affected if same-sex marriages are banned because there will remain no institutions like same-sex marriages that adopt millions of children every year and raise them morally and financially. However, there are counter-arguments too. Normandin argues that gay marriages should be banned because there is no interest or benefit attached to it that should be sufficient for its justification. He argues, with the support of scientific research, that the absence of one of the two sexes as parents is very detrimental for healthy mental and physical growth of children. In case of lesbian marriage, the absence of a biological father results in early sexual activity and adolescent misbehavior in children, since the role of father in children’s activities and mental and social health cannot be denied. In the same way, in case of gay marriages, the absence of a mother takes its toll on the development of young children, as fathers cannot respond to the needs of infants as mothers can. In case of lesbian marriage, the absence of a biological father results in early sexual activity and adolescent misbehavior in children, since the role of father in children’s activities and mental and social health cannot be denied. Hence, the absence of either a mother or father is very detrimental for the children. No matter how sound this argument may be, it cannot deny the ability of gay parents to parent a child properly. To conclude, the legalization of same-sex marriages would result in enabling gays and lesbians enjoy their basic rights. They will be able to avail health facilities, life insurances, residences, employment, and adopted children. If marriage means bearing children, then the marriages of opposite-sex couples not bearing children are also not legal. Gay parents can prove to be better parents, as there are no usual conflicts that occur between the two sexes. The adoption of children by gay couples results in stabilization of society as many homeless children find homes this way. Critics argue that gay marriages destroy the idea of actual marriage, and that the absence of one of the two parents creates adverse impacts upon the psychology of children. However, this counter-argument does not prove that gay couples are any less efficient in raising kids. Hence, this paper proves its argument that gay marriages should be legalized keeping in view the rights of gay and lesbian individuals of the society. Works Cited Bolte, Angela. “Do Wedding Dresses Come in Lavender? The Prospects and Implications of Same-sex Marriage.” Social Theory and Practice 24.1(1998): 1-11. Cooke, Charles C.W. Is Gay Parenting Bad for the Kids? National Review Online, 2012. Web. 24 Mar 2014. . Normandin, Ryan. “Opinion: Gay Marriage Should not be made Legal.” The Tech: Online Edition. The Tech, 2011. Web. 24 Mar 2014. . Read More