Introduction
In the book of Cahill Sean (2004), same-sex marriage is a lawfully or publicly acknowledged union between two individuals of the same sex or social gender. Cahill Sean (2004) indicated that the holy bible allows sex between two individuals of the opposite sex for reproduction. On this basis, the holy bible has viewed reproduction and anything that relates to it positively, and hence since same-sex marriages are not for reproduction, Christianity is totally against them. It should be noted that same-sex marriages are legalized in some countries of the world but illegal in others. On this basis, in those countries where it is illegal, it is considered homosexuality. In the year 2002, the government of Finland passed laws that advocated for granting the couples of same-sex marriages the same rights as those given to those of different-sex marriages. In this relation, partners in same-sex marriages should have equal rights with heterosexual couples. According to Cahill Sean (2004), in the countries where same-sex marriage is legal not all the citizens are for it and hence there has been an increased campaign for this kind of marriage especially in the United States of America. This study will be guided by a thesis stated as; the ongoing movement for the legalization of same-sex is old-fashioned as it confirms that the middle-class desires and wishes set the conditions for intimacy in society (Cahill, 2004)
A point worth noting is that, as suggested by Hull Kathleen (2006) there has been a struggle all over the world between love and law as far as same-sex marriages are concerned. This is because the concept of same-sex marriage has some influences on government, spiritual ideas, and ethics in many countries of the world. According to Hull Kathleen (2006), there has been a conflict on whether these marriages should be legalized worldwide and whether the term marriage or union should be used. In this case, some people from different backgrounds raise different issues concerning this notion (Hull, 2006).
History of same-sex marriages
Hull Kathleen (2006) revealed that the practice of homosexuality and especially same-sex marriages draw their history in ancient Greece and Rome. As indicated in this book, the first same-sex marriage was witnessed in the Roman Empire where two emperors were involved in gay unions. On this basis, a Roman Emperor called Nero was documented as one of the people who married two men in different instances. In Rome, the practice of same-sex marriage was socially recognized until Christianity was termed the official religion of this country. It is of importance to note that, the first law given to eliminate the practice of same-sex marriage was issued in 342 AD by the Christian emperors. According to this decree, the practice of same-sex marriage was prohibited and all those who had engaged in it were executed. It is of importance to note that, in ancient Greece, the practice of same-sex marriage co-existed with traditional marriages in a form of pederasty. On the other hand, some European countries like Romania and Poland strictly prohibit same-sex marriages. As indicated by Cahill Sean (2004), the practice of same-sex marriage has spread throughout the world and a lot of campaigns are made for its legalization worldwide (Hull, 2006).
Same-sex marriages in the United States of America
As outlined by Cahill Sean (2004), same-sex marriage is not legal in the United States of America according to the Defense of Marriage Act. However, this practice is lawful in three states as can be evident by the ruling of the court in California in the year 2008. According to Wilcox, C. and Rimmerman, C. (2007), gays in the United States of America have been campaigning for laws to be passed that would legalize this practice so that they may be able to enjoy the Social Security Benefits and Pensions. This has resulted from the refusal of the recognition of status to foreign same-sex partners. According to the federal government, these individuals are supposed to complete entry forms as two different persons. As suggested by Wilcox, C. and Rimmerman, C. (2007), same-sex couples in the United States of America want to be granted full civil rights equal to the heterosexual couples in the country (Wilcox & Rimmerman, 2007).
It should be noted that by legalizing same-sex marriage in America; the tastes and preferences of the middle class will be fulfilled in society. On this basis, this class of people wants to set the terms for intimacy in society. In this case as indicated by Wilcox, C. and Rimmerman, C. (2007), the norms and morals of the society should not be disobeyed because of a certain group of the society. According to Cahill Sean (2004), the norms and values in modern society allow sexuality only for the purposes of reproduction and hence gay marriages should not be allowed (Wilcox & Rimmerman, 2007).
The conservativeness of same-sex marriages
Andryszewski Tricia (2008) indicated that the concept of marriage has a social and religious meaning and since the general society does not allow same-sex marriage; couples in this marriage system should not claim values in domestic partnerships. On this basis, therefore, those campaigning for same-sex marriages are conservatives who want society to go against its morals for the sake of civil rights. According to Andryszewski Tricia (2008), if it were the members of the lower class in the society campaigning for these civil rights in same-sex marriages; no one could consider their claims because they are powerless. As a result of this, society should uphold the values, morals, and norms governing it rather than engaging in things that threaten these values (Andryszewski, 2008).
Arguments against same-sex marriages
According to Andryszewski Tricia (2008), by legalizing same-sex marriages; the government will be going against religious and societal norms. In one way or the other, the government will be assisting the middle-class people who strongly campaign for this marriage system to achieve their identities in society. On this basis, the middle-class campaign for their access to benefits and to be culturally accepted. As revealed by Lamanna, M. and Riedmann, A. (2008), the same-sex marriage campaign is conservative as the middle-class people want the whole society to consider their tastes and preferences in familiarity. On this basis, these people do not marry for reproduction purposes but because of civil rights that are granted to heterosexual marriages. According to Hull Kathleen (2006), marriage is one of the most major institutions in the current social life but has turned to a site of contestation rather than an agreement. On this basis, there have been battles in America concerning who is supposed to marry because of personal motives. In this relation, the middle-class campaign for the legalization of same-sex marriage because of their self-centered motives that go against religious and societal norms. It is of importance to note that, the proponents of same-sex marriage aspire to organize their intimate life by constructing an identity as married. To completely construct this identity, these people want their marriage to be performed through cultural practices and hence they strongly advocate for its legalization (Andryszewski, 2008).
As indicated by Lamanna, M. and Riedmann, A. (2008), same-sex marriage partners and proponents aspire to influence the law so that they may be recognized in society. By involving the legal system, the proponents of this type of marriage want to utilize its cultural force that illogically connects with some particular rights, protections, and benefits provided by the lawful marriage. According to Lamanna, M. and Riedmann, A. (2008), most of the people campaigning for the legalization of same-sex marriage express a desire for access to practical rights and benefits of marriage. In this case, these benefits include; tax benefits, health insurance, and the legalization of one’s partner chosen as next of kin in an urgent situation. In this relation, the middle-class people who campaign for same-sex marriages express their desires of having same-sex partners to be their next of kin so that their material things may not be used by any other person. Arguments against same-sex marriage indicate that this system of marriage is harmful to the institution of marriage. In this case, the increased campaigns for the legalization of same-sex marriage all over the world have decreased the rate of opposite-sex marriage in society (Lamanna & Riedmann, 2008).
Additionally, as stated by Lee Karen (2010), many people who support the concept of same-sex marriage indicate that couples in this marriage system should be allowed social legality in their relationships. In this case, the legal marriage would bring about the sense of legal acknowledgment that would make these couples socially ordinary and culturally identical to couples in opposite-sex marriages. In this relation, the proponents of same-sex marriage want the law to consider each and every marriage equally, socially and culturally acceptable. From the statements of Lamanna, M. and Riedmann, A. (2008), gays and lesbians through their campaign for the legalization of same-sex marriage look for a way where their desires and wishes in family matters may be incorporated in society. According to religious teachings and especially Christianity, it is a sin to have sex with a person of the same sex and hence same-sex marriages should be discouraged in society (Lee, 2010).
Arguments for same-sex marriages
Lee Karen (2010) suggested that in a democratic country like the United States of America each and every citizen should be given equal rights and benefits without discrimination. On this basis, couples in a same-sex marriage should be given equal civil rights just like what is given to couples in heterosexual marriages. According to the proponents of same-sex marriage, the concept of marriage is greater than the dedication of two people and hence these couples should not be deprived of their rights and privileges. As indicated by Lamanna, M. and Riedmann, A. (2008), cases of divorce and unfaithfulness have increased in recent times and hence the institution of marriage has become pointless. As a result of this, two individuals who have fallen in love and trust each other should not be discriminated against irrespective of their genders (Lee, 2010).
It is important to note that, most gay and lesbian couples have children and hence their marriage does not count on reproduction. On this basis, denying these people legal marriage will only harm them. In this relation, each member of the society has his/her own tastes and preferences as far as intimacy is concerned and therefore the tastes and preferences of same-sex married couples should not be downplayed. Additionally, culture forms an identity and hence middle-class people want to be identified with their own culture and hence their campaign for the legalization of same-sex marriage should not be viewed as an old-fashioned one (Lee, 2010).
As indicated earlier, love is the only thing that matters in marriage and therefore marriage benefits like medical decision-making should apply to all couples in society. Additionally, there is a difference between civil and religious marriages, and hence if couples in a same-sex marriage are denied legal marriage; their religious freedom will be violated. A society must avoid any case of discrimination and hence illegalizing same-sex marriage in a country is a form of discrimination (Wilcox & Rimmerman, 2007).
Conclusion
In winding up, the arguments against same-sex marriage outweigh those for it and hence it should be discouraged in society. From the arguments of most studied writers, the ongoing campaign for same-sex marriage is conservative that only allows the tastes and preferences of the intimacy of the middle-class people to be incorporated into society.
Reference list
Andryszewski Tricia (2008). Same-Sex marriage: Moral Wrong or Civil Right? Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books.
Cahill Sean (2004). Same-sex Marriages in the United States: Focus on the Facts. Maryland: Lexington books.
Hull Kathleen (2006). Same-sex Marriage: The Cultural Politics of Love and Law. Maryland: Lexington books.
Lamanna, M and Riedmann, A. (2008). Marriages and Families: Making Choices in a Diverse Society. New York: Thomas Widsworth Publishers.
Lee Karen (2010). Equity, Dignity, and Same-sex Marriage: A rights Disagreement in Democratic Societies. Washington: Library of Congress. Web.
Wilcox, C. and Rimmerman, C. (2007). The politics of Same-sex Marriage. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.