Dealing with same-sex marriages
If you’ve been following current news for the past few years, you’re probably already aware of the ongoing debate about gay marriages. For those against it, it is a matter of taking a moral stand, while for those who approve, it is a matter of equality. Regardless of whether you are for or against, same-sex marriages are something that needs to be discussed not only because of their controversy, but because they play a huge role in their current social relevance. It has the power to affect today’s society and change the world we live in forever.
For those who are against same-sex marriages, they claim that this step will essentially weaken the family unit, which will then influence society to take a step back morally. These people believe that marriage should only be enjoyed by couples made up of a man and a woman because this traditional combination is capable of procreation. Same-sex couples should not be allowed to marry on the basis that they cannot physically procreate, which is essentially said to be the main reason people marry. In addition, there is the continuing stigma that gay couples will not be able to raise their children in a positive environment since traditionalists already brand them as evil.
On the other hand, people who are in favor of same-sex marriages believe that all people deserve to be happy regardless of their sexual preference. With this idea in mind, it is not surprising that many gay and lesbian associations think that this imposition can be considered a violation of their basic human rights. Since people marry for love, it is only fair that they also have the privilege of marrying their partners as a sign of their undying commitment. It doesn’t necessarily have to hurt anyone or affect any facet of society because many gay and lesbian couples believe that marriage can even bring out the best in them.
Although this controversial issue is still under debate in many countries, some nations have decided to relax their laws and take a more positive stance towards the prevalence of same-sex marriages. Countries such as Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden have allowed gay and lesbian couples to marry under state law. Other countries such as Austria, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador and Finland recognize civil unions as binding and registered unions as recognized entities.
In the United States, although same-sex marriages are not yet federally recognized, there are currently 5 states that allow gay and lesbian marriage. These are Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. There are 31 states that have included same-sex marriages in their packages, but so far, none have passed yet.
Unfortunately, with the way things are going right now, this problem will continue, leading to more political and legal upheaval in the future. Since both sides don’t seem to want to back down any time soon, the gay marriage debate will create more angst for everyone for years to come.