Gay Marriage: May Anyone Marry Whom They Choose?

Arguments for gay and lesbian families is a concern for the sanctity of marriage is often accompanied by a discomfort with the idea of gay and lesbian families, based on misinformation about the quality of those relationships and their impact on children (Kimmel 184). Arguments that support gay and lesbian families are mainly focused on having the same equal rights as heterosexuals. Many gay and lesbian couples want to get married because of the benefits they acquire such as the right to inherit from a spouse who dies without a will, the right to consult with doctors and make crucial decisions (Kimmel 184). A meta analysis of social studies of gay and lesbian parenting suggests that children are more accepting of homosexuality and maybe more likely to indicate a willingness to consider homosexual relationships themselves (Kimmel 186). Another great example is daughters of lesbian and gay parents are more assertive, confident, and ambitious, and sons are less conforming to traditional masculine aggression and domination and have a better understanding of their gender identity (Kimmel

Parents who want their children to be taught (for both moral and utilitarian reasons) the privileged status of heterosexual marriage will be portrayed as intolerant bigots; they will necessarily be at odds with the new law of matrimony and its derivative curriculum”

But in “Gay ‘Marriage’: Societal Suicide,” the author says that religious beliefs are what matter because God, created man and woman to marry each other and not the same sex. “History and tradition—and the teachings of Jews, Muslims, and Christians—support the overwhelming empirical evidence: The family, led by a married mother and father is the best available structure for both child rearing and cultural health” (Gay “Marriage”: Societal Suicide 578). Religion teaches what is morally right and wrong and what God wants. He states that it’s a natural moral of a family to have a father and mother to raise the children. If one is missing, the family is broken and chaotic. The author has a solid claim that relates to society because most people are religious and follow the teachings of their religion.

Beyond wanting to uphold the legal principles of nondiscrimination and equal treatment, supporters say that there are very practical reasons behind the fight for marriage equity. They point out that homosexual couples who have been together for years often find themselves without the basic rights enjoyed by many heterosexual couples who legally marry- from the sharing of health and pension benefits to hospital visitation rights.

Many arguments exist criticizing why same-sex couples should not be parents. The main reason for debate exists within the religious community. Those who are strict followers of the bible believe that homosexuality is a sin. Therefore, they think this community should not be able to raise a child. Another argument presented in this article is, children in will grow up to be lesbian or gay, if they are brought up in a homosexual household. The author also explains that kids raised by two of the same-sex parent will be more likely to be bullied. It is true that children raised by a gay couple are more likely to be harassed in school (Clarke

As it has been in dispute for years since it was first brought to light, the concern for same-sex parenting continues to be raised in society with jabs at ethics and practicality. As of June 26, 2015, all U.S. states have legalized gay-marriage and same-sex parenting, marking a significant breakaway for previous social norms. Yet, even with this crucial development in our culture, disputes against it still manage to work their way into daily discussions. With the recent legalizing, those who were against gay-marriage or gay couples being able to raise children are now forced to accept this rapidly changing world and be open to modern advancements.

The final argument of this perspective is that gay couples are not capable of being parental figures. In general, same-sex marriages cannot reproduce the next generations. Two individuals of the same sex regardless of their race or wealth will never be able to repopulate. Same sex couples are not capable of giving support to their children. A child’s best interests occur when he or she is raised under the influence of a father and mother. Children having two fathers or two mother’s face deserting by school peers, and facing daily struggles with constant bullying. Same-sex couples will influence their children to have wrong life choices. A child living with a gay foster family are influenced to act differently from their gender, and accepting

Children in a homosexual environment can have the same upbringing as heterosexual parents. There are many children available for adoption and an increased number of capable gay and lesbian parents (Tavernise 4). The number of potential parents that are homosexuals is plentiful. A main concern is that the marriage between two homosexuals is unusual and will affect the child’s upbringing in a negative way. “The principal argument for traditional marriage is that it is uniquely beneficial to children. Accordingly, a key tenet of the campaign for same-sex marriage ("SSM") is that same-sex couples are just as good as other parents; there is no difference between the two. This [viewpoint] analyzes this claim and concludes that it is unsubstantiated and almost certainly false” (Dent 2).

Another topic that raises a lot of conversation is the fact that same sex marriage affects the couple’s children. It’s argued that both a male and a female need to raise a child “normally.” A parent is a parent; if they are good at it then the child should not be affected by it at all. There are plenty of ways for a young boy to “bond” with a female and vice versa. A child goes to school which is the number one way to make friends and communicate with the opposite sex. With school comes extra curricula’s like sports, music, plays and a lot more, which are all ways to develop relations with the opposite sex. There is no difference between a straight family and a same sex family.

There are myths and stereotypes about gay couples being inappropriate and unfit parents, however, these stories and negative opinions are unfounded.

Pro- gay activists have a different definition of family. They see family as “a unit of love with one or more consenting adults regardless of gender, creed, or color” (“Gay and Lesbian”). They counter-argue that gay couples can provide the same support, love, and encouragement as heterosexual parents. If anything, gay parenting provides a good example for children who grow up in an environment of love and acceptance for all.

Many couples would not be together today if marriage was only created to have children. Nevertheless, if a gay couple does want children, they can be made many different ways. For example, surrogacy, the process in which the sperm can be transmitted into a woman’s egg, of their choice, and when the baby arrives they can take care of it as any other parent. People tend to forget that many couples, choose not to have children simply because they do not want to. This signifies that marriage is not only done to reproduce but also to forge a stronger bond between the couple. Considering the amount of children in orphanages and foster homes, if a same-sex couple wants children they do have the ability to

Imagine that your spouse was suffering from a terminal illness and one was charged with deciding with whether life-saving measures would be continued or ended. This decision is not one that is made lightly, but for homosexual couples, it isn't one that is often afforded. Now that being homosexual is becoming socially accepted, homosexuals are demanding the same rights and benefits as others (The Gay Rights Movement). Many homosexual Americans believe that they are being excluded from “one of the basic civil rights of man (Support for same-sex marriage hits new high; half say Constitution guarantees right”). They have formed organizations, gone to court, and rioted all over the nation; but they are still being denied the simple right to marry (The Gay Rights Movement). Redefining marriage will allow all Americans access, regardless of sexual orientation, to rights given to heterosexual couples without serious social, financial, or legal detriment to society.

Nowadays, the question of gay marriage is one of the most heated and controversial. Over the years, same-sex couples are fighting for the legal recognition for their marriages and their right as parents. Parenthood is one of the most valuable experiences in a human life. After finding a partner, it is natural for people to want to raise children. Homosexual parent are the same in ability and commitment to raised healthy children. It would be a big step for improvement in our society to provide necessary support and rights for same-sex couples and their children.

There is a rising amount of homosexual couples that decided to raise children despite the fact that they couldn't have offsprings naturally. These couples can procreate children through reproductive technology or adoption. Homosexuals believe they can raise children just as well as heterosexuals. For example, “a growing body of research on gay and lesbian parenting supports the conclusion that children of gay and lesbian parents are just as likely to flourish as are children of heterosexual parents”