Same Sex Marriage
Marriage is a legal union between two people. When these two people are of the same gender, it is called same sex marriage. Same sex marriage laws are accomplished through court rulings based on the constitutions, or through a direct popular vote. As of 2015, same sex marriage is legal in some countries; however, it is explicitly banned in some countries. Seventeen countries, including the United States, legally recognize same sex marriage (Flores, 2015). Netherlands was the first country to legalize same sex marriage, in 2001. In most cultures, same sex marriages have never been recorded in history. Legal support for same sex marriage is low in Africa and Asia; only South Africa and Israel allow same sex couples to marry in Africa and Asia, respectively (Flores, 2015). In order to enhance support for same sex marriage, studies have been conducted in recent years. Some American scientific associations have filed court documents, stating that prohibiting same sex marriage not only stigmatizes gay men and women, but it also invites public discrimination against them (Newton,2010). A study conducted in 2010 on the psychiatric health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people living in states that instituted bans on same sex marriage found an increase in psychiatric disorders, which included anxiety disorders (Newton, 2010). Francis and Mialon (2010), economics at Emory University, claimed that same sex marriage bans in the US—at that time—were linked to an increase in the rates of HIV infection. These state bans were linked to an annual increase of about four cases per 100,000 populations (Francis & Mialon, 2010). Recent studies have shown an increase in public support for same sex marriage: in 2005, 28 percent of adults in the US supported the recognition of same sex marriage by the law; while in march 2013, 50 percent said that they …show more content…
Same sex marriage recognition is a social and political issue. It is also a religious issue in many countries. Major religions do not support same sex marriage (Mohr, 2005). Opponents of same sex marriage argue that by recognizing same sex marriages, the society erodes religious freedoms and undermines the right of children to be brought up by their biological parents (Nazworth, 2013). Edward (2014) stated that same sex marriage is not consistent with nature and the law of nature. According to Harvey (2009), marriage is the complete bodily and spiritual communion of one woman and one man. Mack (2013) wrote that by allowing same sex marriage, the society will only be shifting the purpose of marriage—which is producing and raising children—to adult gratification. This implies that marriage is for procreation, and hence should not be extended to same sex couples: they cannot produce children …show more content…
According to Rauch (2012), marriage, be it homosexual or heterosexual, is good for all men because when men engage in the social roles of marriage, their aggression and promiscuity is reduced. Studies from current social sciences on comparison of mixed-sex and same-sex marriages have been conducted. These studies indicate that both types of relationships are equal in their essential psychosocial dimensions (Herek, 2006). Studies also indicate that parents’ sexual orientation does not affect their ability to nurture a family healthily, and that marriage has many social, health, and psychological benefits (Herek, 2006). Through more than 25 years of research, results have shown that a child’s emotional psychosocial and behavioural adjustment cannot be linked to the parents’ sexual orientation (Herek,
Marriage is a legal union between two people. When these two people are of the same gender, it is called same sex marriage. Same sex marriage laws are accomplished through court rulings based on the constitutions, or through a direct popular vote. As of 2015, same sex marriage is legal in some countries; however, it is explicitly banned in some countries. Seventeen countries, including the United States, legally recognize same sex marriage (Flores, 2015). Netherlands was the first country to legalize same sex marriage, in 2001. In most cultures, same sex marriages have never been recorded in history. Legal support for same sex marriage is low in Africa and Asia; only South Africa and Israel allow same sex couples to marry in Africa and Asia, respectively (Flores, 2015). In order to enhance support for same sex marriage, studies have been conducted in recent years. Some American scientific associations have filed court documents, stating that prohibiting same sex marriage not only stigmatizes gay men and women, but it also invites public discrimination against them (Newton,2010). A study conducted in 2010 on the psychiatric health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people living in states that instituted bans on same sex marriage found an increase in psychiatric disorders, which included anxiety disorders (Newton, 2010). Francis and Mialon (2010), economics at Emory University, claimed that same sex marriage bans in the US—at that time—were linked to an increase in the rates of HIV infection. These state bans were linked to an annual increase of about four cases per 100,000 populations (Francis & Mialon, 2010). Recent studies have shown an increase in public support for same sex marriage: in 2005, 28 percent of adults in the US supported the recognition of same sex marriage by the law; while in march 2013, 50 percent said that they …show more content…
Same sex marriage recognition is a social and political issue. It is also a religious issue in many countries. Major religions do not support same sex marriage (Mohr, 2005). Opponents of same sex marriage argue that by recognizing same sex marriages, the society erodes religious freedoms and undermines the right of children to be brought up by their biological parents (Nazworth, 2013). Edward (2014) stated that same sex marriage is not consistent with nature and the law of nature. According to Harvey (2009), marriage is the complete bodily and spiritual communion of one woman and one man. Mack (2013) wrote that by allowing same sex marriage, the society will only be shifting the purpose of marriage—which is producing and raising children—to adult gratification. This implies that marriage is for procreation, and hence should not be extended to same sex couples: they cannot produce children …show more content…
According to Rauch (2012), marriage, be it homosexual or heterosexual, is good for all men because when men engage in the social roles of marriage, their aggression and promiscuity is reduced. Studies from current social sciences on comparison of mixed-sex and same-sex marriages have been conducted. These studies indicate that both types of relationships are equal in their essential psychosocial dimensions (Herek, 2006). Studies also indicate that parents’ sexual orientation does not affect their ability to nurture a family healthily, and that marriage has many social, health, and psychological benefits (Herek, 2006). Through more than 25 years of research, results have shown that a child’s emotional psychosocial and behavioural adjustment cannot be linked to the parents’ sexual orientation (Herek,