Four Student Four Jeannine Stanko English 102 1 August 2013 Positive Effects of Marriage Equality on Family and

Society I thought being gay meant being a bum all the rest of my life; this comical yet intriguing quote from the Broadway musical: A Chorus Line, encompasses the whole idea that there is an uncertainty regarding where the homosexual community fits into the family and society (Stuart). Throughout the course of history, society has continuously evolved from a primitive thinking that the white man is the prominent man in society, rather than all men are

created equal. Generally speaking, there is a long fight for what is thought to be a civil right, but homosexuality has continually been criticized: a radical step to the deconstruction of society, oxymoronic, and having enormous repercussions to adoption (Bennett 271, 273). This thinking is part of the reason why America, as a family and a society, is reluctant to continue into the future. By stripping down the definition of marriage, we find that marriage is simply the union of two people. Andrew Sullivan builds on this general definition of marriage by adding more specific details, the center of the public contract is an emotional, financial, and psychological bond between two people; in this respect, heterosexuals and homosexuals are identical (266). Relating this to the idea of same-sex marriage is completely relevant, considering this is the definition that has been adapted to modern America. There is yet another definition that will play an integral role in setting the idea of same-sex marriage and traditional marriage on the same leveldivorce. How is divorce integrated into the idea of same-sex marriage? First, look

Four at what the definition of divorce encompassesa legal separation of a marriage. Understand

that these three ideas revolve around a general topic of marriage, which leads into the creation of a family and acceptance in society. To further grasp the concept of how the homosexual community is negatively affected by this discrimination, imagine living life in their shoes: how would one feel without this basic civil right or a family? William J. Bennett even says it himself, it is simply an acknowledgement and celebration of our most precious and important social act (272). When reading the article Against Gay Marriage, it may shock some people that Bennett included this; essentially, he provides the reader with reasonable cause to agree with him on something he disagrees with. If marriage is simply an acknowledgement and celebration, then he leaves plenty of room for his audience to recognize that this civil right needs to be extended to all citizens (272). Extending this will hopefully create a better standing for relationships between families and their members that are homosexual. If there is some type of common ground anywhere in marriage between homosexuals and heterosexuals, it is an equal sharing of assets. Sullivan recognizes that: As it has become more acceptable for homosexuals to acknowledge their loves and commitments publicly, more and more have committed themselves to one another for life in full view of their families and friends. A law institutionalizing gay marriage would merely reinforce a healthy trend. (268) This provides evidence of same-sex marriage being acknowledged by families and friends. In efforts to continue creating a family, the idea of adoption for homosexual couples also creates a general understanding and common ground of the commitments of marriage. While having the option to genetically reproduce is strictly limited to heterosexual couples, it is not a requirement of the stripped down definition afore mentioned. To shed light on the idea of

Four adoption, let it be known that in APA On Children Raised by Gay and Lesbian Parents, it was concluded that parental effectiveness is not related to sexual orientation; in fact, it is neither a factor to negatively affect the supportive environment that is needed for a child to properly develop (2011). Being able to comprehend this idea of marriage and parental effectiveness, reference back to the idea of divorce. There is definitely an emotional toll that is present in the parent and child; however, every child of a divorced family is affected in a different manner. Studies have reported a link between divorce and depression, reduced educational attainment, early assumption of high risk behaviors (i.e., early sexual activity, non marital childbirth, and earlier marriage and cohabitation), and an increased risk for suicide attempts (Baily 718). This

is what it equates to, does one deny the civil rights that are granted in conjunction with marriage, or does one let the entire institution of adoption and marriage dismantle in its own corruption? Currently, according to John Michaelson of the Public News Service, divorce rates as of March 2013 are about forty percent, but peaked at fifty percent in the 1980s; now relate this ridiculously high divorce rate to the two studies previously referenced. This is an important facet to the entire debate revolving around the basic civil rights included in marriage. Accepting same-sex unions could not be more hurtful than the possible psychological effects a divorced family can have on a child. The courts have also realized that homosexual men and women [are] presumptively fit to care for their children, and in keeping with general social trends the courts have moved toward greater accommodation and acceptance in regard to the rights of the homosexual parents who come before them (Murphy 295). Marriage, adoption, and the affects of divorce are proving to people that allowing same-sex unions can create common grounds for homosexual and heterosexual couples or families to accept one another into society. While finding acceptance in the family may be difficult, it is equally as difficult to gain

Four acceptance from society. Whether it is the inability to fight for our country, or the hasty generalization that the gay community is destined to turn the straight guy gay, the homosexual community is constantly being criticized. This constant discrimination can leave the younger generation feeling hopeless, which could have a detrimental effect on their life. Sullivan suggests to his readers that, [same-sex marriage] provides role models for young gay people

(268). Providing the young group of homosexuals with the possible future goal of marriage will merely reinforce that there is more than just short-term relationships and insecurity, but a tangible goal to strive for (268). Essentially, this role model idea is able to bring what seems to be a fairy tale ending into perspective. Throughout history America has recognized that a different race and a different gender are in fact equal. Two vital pieces of legislation prove this idea of equality, the fifteenth amendmentgranting all men, whether black or white; rich or poor; or catholic or protestant the right to voteand the nineteenth amendment which grants women the right to vote. In a study by Dawn Michelle Baunch she provides a statistic that is hard to disagree with, attitudes significantly liberalized over time; seventy-one percent opposed gay marriage in 1988, but by 2006, this figured dropped to fifty-two percent (346). With this new view of same-sex marriage, it is apparent that America is moving forward; however, America is still in a predicament of recognizing the societal push for the legalization of same-sex unions. This idea of same-sex marriage is becoming more acceptable or, as Baunch suggests, the equality/tolerance framing of gay marriage has made people realize that this is a civil right and it must be protected by the law (346). Whether or not the government wants to acknowledge it, America is perpetuating into a nation for complete equality. Family values are not being demoralized though, they are simply

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being adapted and society is recognizing that marriage is simply the union of two people. While many continue to argue that the ability to procreate is a necessity in marriage, one cannot say that a heterosexual couple, destined to result in a divorce, is more capable of developing a child than a homosexual couple. If anything, a child raised by a homosexual couple has the opportunity to be raised in a more diverse environment; this diversity allows a child to recognize and accept the fact that homosexuality is not meant to make one feel inferior, thus creating an open relationship and a firm role model. Finally, the continued progress into the twenty first century is opening Americas eyes to the idea that same-sex marriage is merely a civil right that should be overlooked for the sake of Americas continued forward movement.

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Works Cited APA On Children Raised by Gay and Lesbian Parents. American Psychological Association. n.p., 11 June 2011. Web. 25 July 2013. Baunach, Dawn Michelle. Decomposing Trends In Attitudes Toward Gay Marriage, 19882006. Social Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell) 92.2 (2011): 346-363. Web. 31 July 2013. Bennett, William J. Against Gay Marriage. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. Ed. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. Boston: Pearson Longman, 2011. 271-273. Print. Charles Baily, et al. Parental Divorce, Familial Risk For Depression, And Psychopathology In Offspring: A Three Generation Study. Journal Of Child & Family Studies 21.5 (2012): 718-725. Web. 1 Aug. 2013. Michaelson, John. U.S. Divorce Rate Continues Downward Trend. Public News Service. n.p., 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 1 Aug. 2013. Murphy, Timothy F. Same-Sex Marriage: Not A Threat To Marriage Or Children. Journal Of Social Philosophy 42.3 (2011): 288-304. Web. 1 Aug. 2013. Stuart, Michel (perf.). Montage Part 3: Gimme the Ball. A Chorus Line. Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 1975. MP3. Sullivan, Andrew. For Gay Marriage. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. Ed. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. Boston: Pearson Longman, 2011. 266-269. Print.