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This is the essay I was cheated; I hope turnitin.com will detect it here once this student submits it!
Same Sex Marriages
Introduction
The culture of marriage has changed over the years and the recognition of same-sex marriage which includes gay and lesbian marriages can be termed to be just another change. A common example given is the change in the status of woman partner, in that marriage is now seen as a union of equals (Rosenfeld, 2007). However, redefining marriage to include same sex marriages affects its cultural meaning and function and, in so doing, damages its ability and, thereby, the society's capacity, to protect the inherently proactive relationships and the children who result from it, whether these children's future sexual orientation proves to be homosexual or heterosexual. Though same sex marriages is seen to be against the inherent proactive relationship between a man and a woman, it has been advocated in respect to opposite-sex couples who do not want to have children or the argument that only a man and a woman who produce a child should be allowed to marry. Furthermore, the idea that new reproductive medical science means that same-sex couples can be able to reproduce, is assumed to protect the proactive relationships (Rosenfeld, 2007).
Same sex marriages have been marred by controversy with those advocating for same-sex marriages arguing that gay and lesbian couples want to get married for the same reasons as that of the straight people-to be in caring, stable relationships, to build a life and even start a family. Furthermore, marriage is a relationship between two people and it doesn't hurt the society which is not involved in any form of marriage. These marriages are also seen to involve homosexuality which is seen as a sin, but denying marriages is a violation of the constitution which states that a person's religious views or lack of thereof must be protected, and in this religious freedom, the government can't make laws based on religion (Clark, 2002)
In contrast same sex marriages can change the essence and nature of marriage as the principle societal institution, establishing the norms that govern, symbolize and protect procreation but not just serving the benefits of the partners. Same sex marriage is against our culture which makes us humans and not animals and distinguishes us from the future, from intelligent machines and which is marked by two great events: birth and death. Opposite sex marriages are the central part of many cultures which establish a social-sexual ecology of human reproduction and symbolize respect through sexual reproduction as opposed to the joint incapacity of a same-sex couples whose reproduction can only be achieved through cloning (Pinello, 2006).
According to Clark (2002), same sex marriages changes the values and norms associated with marriages which are more necessary and more important than in the past, and require maintaining marriage as a legal construct. In many cases the opposition against same sex is based on religious grounds or because of the moral objections to homosexuality although if someone believes in religious freedom, the recognition that opposition of same sex marriages based on such beliefs is a reason enough to discount this argument.
Conclusion
Traditionally, marriage has been termed as a religious and legal commitment between a man and a woman with their ultimate expression of their love. However same sex marriages are increasingly getting acceptance in some societies with or without permission to marry. Other states have considered a new form of commitment called a 'civil union', which is essentially marriage without using the term 'marriage'. The decision decide whether same sex marriages are acceptable or not is left upon to each legal system to decide considering the concept that the majority should rule, but the rights of this minority same sex group be protected (Carter, 1998).
References:
Carter, S.L. (1998). Defending Marriage: A Modest Proposal, Howard Law Journal, 41:215-228
Clark, S. (2002). Same-Sex but Equal: Reformulating the Miscegenation Analogy, Rutgers Law Journal, 34:107-185.
Pinello, D.R. (2006). America's Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage. London: Cambridge, MA University Press.
Rosenfeld, M. J. (2007). The Age of Independence: Interracial Unions, Same-Sex Unions, and the Changing America Family. London: Harvard University Press.
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