Should Same-Sex Marriages Be Made Legal - Essay Example

Should Same Sex Marriages be Made Legal Introduction Before going into the debate for legality of same sex marriages, let us get an insight into the concept of same sex marriages. Same sex marriages mean existence of a homosexual relationship between people of the same gender i.e. male-male relationship or female-female relationship. In same sex relationships, females are attracted towards females and males are attracted towards males. “A homosexual is actually a bisexual who feels more attracted to the same sex than the opposite sex” (Roy 2011). The concept of same-sex marriage is considered social deviance, as it lies beyond the limits of morality considering some school of thoughts. Although same sex marriage or homosexuality has been given a legal status in some parts of the world and people living there are practicing it, but it appears that it would take a very long time for same sex couple to be accepted by the societies. In this paper, we will discuss when same sex marriages be made legal considering and analyzing both legal and public perspectives on the issue. 2. Marriage – A Sacred Relationship Marriage is definitely an integral part of the life of any person. It refers to the existence of a marital relationship between two persons of the opposite gender. “It is a social contract between two individuals that unites their lives legally, economically and emotionally” (Stritof n.d.). There exist various reasons that lead people tie in a marital relationship. Some of the major reasons include financial stability, emotional understanding, affection, and birth of children. Out of all these factors, affection and emotional understanding appears to be the most important factors that lead to a perfect marital relationship. Emotional understanding takes place when two persons start believing each other and give respect to each other’s viewpoints. Love, care, and trust are those key factors that play an important role in creating and maintaining affectionate feelings in the minds of the individuals involved in the relationship. However, one point that should be mentioned here is that feelings of love and care are not related to any specific gender. It is not always necessary that such feelings arise between people from opposite genders. Sometimes such feelings arise between the people of the same gender that may lead to the development of a homosexual relationship between them. “Just like every homosexual has a heterosexual inside him or her, the heterosexual also fancies people of the same sex, it is a natural tendency to like people of the same sex” (Roy 2011). Same sex couples believe that same sex marriages do not violate the family values as they also have the feelings of love and care for each other. They believe that love is the only important feeling, which should exist in a couple, and same sex couples have very strong feelings of love for each other. It is due to the hard-fought struggle of the same sex marriage supporters that the support for same sex marriages is increasing in the western society although the pace of increase is very slow. 3. Legal Perspective If we talk about the United States of America, we come to know that the government of the United States has not given same sex couples a legal status yet. The government of America is of the viewpoint that marriage is a sacred relationship, which should always involve the individuals from the opposite sexes whereas gay or lesbian marriages result in destroying the basic sprit of the relationship of marriage. “The biggest problem affecting same sex marriage is geography” (Dunn 2011). However, in some states, courts have allowed people to do same sex marriages. Some of those states include Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The courts of these states declared that marriage is a civil right, so gays and lesbians also possess this right (Cahill 2004, p. 4). In these states of the United States, although homosexual people are allowed to get tied in marital relationships, but their marriages or living status is not highly regarded or accepted by the society. 4. Public Perspective Although in some parts of the world, same sex marriages have been given a legal status, but public perspective does not appear to be on the side of same sex marriages. Rather it appears opposing the concept of same sex marriages, as well as people living in the form of same sex couple. Given below are some of the main problems that same sex couples usually face while living in societies. This will demonstrate the public perspective regarding same sex marriages in detail. 4.1 Opposing Societies One of the main problems that same sex marriage couples usually face is the discouraging behavior of people among whom they live in societies. Majority of people living with them do not encourage the concept of same sex marriages. They think that homosexual marriages are practiced just for the fulfillment of personal sexual desires. They also think that gay and lesbian couples adversely affect the environment of a society. Therefore, they look suspiciously towards the gay and lesbian couples and do not respect them as couples. 4.2 Traditional Family Issue Same sex couples face, also face opposition from the supporters and followers of traditional family systems. The followers of traditional family system believe that a pure family system in which a man and a woman live in the form of a couple, is essential for the existence of a society. They are of the viewpoint that homosexual couples play a lead role in weakening the foundations of the family system as they neither can give birth to babies nor can fulfill the sexual desires of each other. They also say that homosexual relationships result in decreasing the productivity of countries, as they are unable to give birth to babies, thus, reduce the workforce. 4.3 Opposition by Religions Marriage is considered a religious institution in almost every religion of the world. From religious point of view, homosexuality is strictly prohibited. This is the reason why religious institutions promote heterosexual marriages and raise voice against homosexuality. Their point of view appears to be very different from that of same sex marriage supporters as they (supporters of same sex marriages) consider same sex marriage as one of the basic human rights. On the other hand, religious scholars oppose joining of same sex members on account of prohibition by all religions. 4.4 Leads to Diseases It is a fact that same sex couples are the main contributors for increased cases of HIV/AIDS and other sexual diseases. People possessing homophobic nature are highly concerned about the increasing graph of same sex marriages all over the world. They say that homosexuality results in various social and health problems some of which include psychological disorders, destruction to proper family system, lower life expectancy, decreased workforce, and increased cases of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. 5. Conclusion Summing it up, marriage is the existence of an affectionate and respectable relationship between members of opposite genders. Joining of men and women from opposite genders through marriages plays a vital role in strengthening the family structure, as well as in preserving the social norms and values of a society. On the other hand, homosexual couples play a destructive role in affecting the moral norms and values of a society. Homosexuality leads to various problems not only for themselves but also for the whole society. Homosexual or same sex couples can never overshadow the benefits associated with the marriage between opposite sexes. Considering the whole discussion, it appears to be justified that same sex marriages should never be made legal at any cost in any part of world. Bibliography Cahill, S 2004, Safe-Sex Marriage in the United States, Lexington Books, Maryland. Dunn, E 2009, Same Sex Marriage Problems. Available from: . [13 March 2015]. Roy, S 2011, The Psychology of Homosexuality. Available from: . [13 March 2015]. Stritof, B n.d., Marriage – What is Marriage?. Available from: . [13 March 2015]. Read More