Same Sex-Marriage - Research Paper Example

Research Paper on “Same Sex Marriage” ID Lecturer One needs to get straight in line with the problemsas well as the causes and not to forget the history that is tied with the issue of same sex marriages. It has been proven with the passage of time that homosexuals are more accepted than ever before in the world of today. A large population is indeed in favor of giving equal rights to gays and lesbians that in essence call for their housing, jobs, public accommodations and fair access to other governmental benefits from time to time. The real cause for concern here is when one talks about these homosexuals marrying individuals from the same gender. Then voices are raised in all quarters and the media also plays its undue role in projecting it out of proportion. Thus, one marriage that involves individuals from the same gender becomes an issue that seems to be made a mountain out of a molehill. The society needs to be quite broad-minded when someone suggests something positive in the direction of same gender couples that choose to marry. The reason for the same is that gays and lesbians are being continuously discriminated against in being refused the right to marry legally. Thus this brings to light just about everything from retirement programs, health care, parenting rights to social security benefits as well as the significant medical decisions. Same sex marriages come about due to one form of stagnation within the people’s minds and the role of one and all within the domains of the same sex marriage debate is significant nonetheless. Though the government might not approve of a marriage between members of the same sex, they just should not impose a law on their sense of ethics related with these very individuals. Since gay marriages are not at all at peril to the public welfare and one’s day-to-day life is not affected by the same, the right to marry anyone one so decided to choose for him or herself should thus be in accordance with the rights the United States of America states that are both "self-evident" as well as "inalienable" in its Declaration of Independence that was brought into notice of one and all a few years back. (Allen, 2006) The problem continues for some people who are of the view that since homosexual parenting can be harmful for children, thus allowing such marriages to be carried out in the first place must be declined and the state must do something that would disallow the people from doing the same. They also say that as homosexual unions are not built around lifetime commitments and also that they are not good environments to raise children. Apart from this, the real problem lies in the fact that people have started to believe that gay parenting would eventually make children turn into gays as well as they would not grow at a normal level just like the other children do and thus they might be abused by their homosexual parents on and off. The problem also lies in the fact that there is a lot of opposition to this whole issue which suggests that if a government amends a particular law that would allow these marriages to take place then the rationale for doing the same cannot be quoted from the Holy Book Bible, which according to them has literally condemned homosexuality. Thus it would be a big issue altogether, as the mostly Christian-centered society would start supporting the morals preached by the religion without taking into notice what is good for the individuals of the society in particular and for the whole humanity of homosexuals in general. Adding to the same topic that is under discussion here, the argument, which suggests that the Bible has basically condemned the acts of homosexuality and therefore gay marriages must not take place at all, is simply void and holds no ground at all, at any particular level. The religious stance on this whole issue is a bit relevant to the subject as it is flexible and does not mind allowing the people what they deem fit for their own selves at all possible times and under every circumstance that they have to face in the wake of upsurge opposition. The solution is needed for this topic and hence for the same, on a general level, there needs to be a better understanding between the people and people-to-people contact should be emphasized in all quarters of a society and under all levels of it as well whereby making the individuals aware of their respective roles and what they need to do in order to keep their whole society happy in relation to their steps that they take and the voices that they raise, no matter if the same are against homosexuals marrying individuals from their own sex. People need to comprehend the intricacies that make the other persons from the same sex or at times from the opposite ones do carry out these steps. (Gomes, 2003) They need to find out the real reasons as well as the causes, which force the homosexuals to take this drastic step. Once these homosexuals have made up their mind that they will do what the society considers as a bane, then they should be supported and given their space so that they could develop, both from a societal point of view as well as from their individual one. Apart from this, the state needs to take note of the fact that merely supporting the ones who raise hue and cry about these marriages would not do any good to the homosexuals who want to marry people from their own respective genders. They are also humans and a need must be stressed on the government’s part to keep these people happy, satisfied and contented with their lives as well and not make them think that they are below in stature or not thought of being at par with the elites of the society under consideration. In essence, it is a collective effort on the part of one and all to understand and thus support the cause of the minorities (the homosexuals in this case) and provide them what they so dearly require so that they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the commoners of the society. On a governmental level, all this would mean that certain permissions be granted to these individuals who want to marry with the ones of the same gender as well as give them the liberty to easily live their lives in accordance with the norms of the society so that these people do not feel as aliens in a much secluded one already, where one and all can see the distinctions that start to arise when gays and lesbians think of marrying the ones from their own gender. (Coolidge, 2003) Protests and rallies must be curtailed with definite freedom of expression restored but the same being within specified limits, which do not, in any case whatsoever cross the line and invade the lives of these homosexuals who have decided to take the hard route and enjoy their lives in a shell, much different from the other people of the society who would love to call themselves as straight yet have a difficulty at understanding the ways and means with which these straight people must relate to when the talk goes out loud of giving the homosexuals their due share is concerned. On the societal level, people-to-people contact must be stressed so that they come in close contact with each other and start understanding the needs and wants of their fellow human beings and thus no question arises when this subject starts to make headlines and the hard liners begin their daily protesting routine, just for the sake of nothing but raising a voice here and pelting stones there. This does not work in life as it mars the spirit of freedom for one and all and invites trouble from all quarters. (Alderson, 2004) Empathy must be the way forward in such a case whereby one puts his or her own self in the other’s (homosexual individual’s) shoe for a moment and start thinking of the problems and difficulties he or she would have to face in the same scenario. This would solve many a problem, as it would generate much more understanding and a sense of attachment with the gays and lesbians of the society. On an individual level, a gay or for that matter a lesbian must understand the commitment he has with the society and he also should know as to how his actions could effect it, both from a positive as well as from a negative point of view. He must avoid the trouble of inviting pressure from the hard liners if he possibly can but if the homosexual feels that it is his right to do whatsoever he wishes then he must do it, in the best manner possible, not only to benefit his own self but also provide comfort and consolation for the other homosexual who agrees to marry the former one. However, one should keep a close and vigilant eye on the pressures he would have to face at the hand of the society and the pressure groups when he decides to carry out the same. There are a number of arguments that could be raised both with as well as against this relevant topic but the bottom line is that one needs to understand what is being said, i.e., comprehend the actual rationale more than the words itself. As this is quite a sensitive topic for those who are directly involved in it in more ways than one, thus an earnest effort must be made on one’s part, who is in point of fact entailed with this subject to keep its contents within realistic boundaries and be as sensible as he or she can possibly be. The reason for the same is that, at the end of the day, there is no winner or loser but there are people who want to spend their lives in the best way that they can possibly think of, hence it is important that they take decisions which are close to their heart rather than following a rule book that has got no attachment with their lives whatsoever. (Donovan, 2001) The doubts that there are in the minds of the people need to be removed so that they can have a better insight at looking towards the issue and they can focus on what needs to be done rather than what does not warrant their attention and energies. The society is simply not ready to comprehend that the same sex marriage which in itself is tantamount to people not willing to accept the freedom of expression as well as spending one’s life within his or her own allotted space. This must not be the case as each and every individual on the face of the earth has his or her individual right to do whatever he or she feels like doing and homosexuals are also a part of our societies, be them affluent or under developed ones. (Severino, 2007) It is quite a paradox in the world of today to find out that people have serious grievances with regards to the same sex marriages in the society and they are just very opposed to the whole idea in general and the individuals in particular. Hence a proposal is presented here which would list down the preferences and the issues that need to be taken care of in the wake of same sex marriages in the United States and more so in the whole world. In the end, it is hoped that homosexuals would be granted their due rights and particularly their right to marry the person of the same gender so that an air of confidence can be restored within them as well as people start realizing that these kinds of marriages, do in reality exist and are there for the long term. References Alderson, K. (2004). A Phenomenological Investigation of Same-Sex Marriage. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, Vol. 13 Allen, D. (2006). An Economic Assessment of Same-Sex Marriage Laws. Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Vol. 29 Coolidge, D. (2003). Marriage and Same-Sex Unions: A Debate. Praeger Donovan, C. (2001). Same Sex Intimacies: Families of Choice and Other Life Experiments. Routledge Gomes, C. (2003). The Need for Full Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage. The Humanist, Vol. 63, September Severino, R. (2007). Or for Poorer? How Same-Sex Marriage Threatens Religious Liberty. 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