Homosexuality has been in existence since time immemorial and remains one of the most highly controversial issues today. Although a global phenomenon, homosexuality was a private issue and was considered to be a taboo in many societies. It was not until the inception of the gay movement in the United States in 1969 that the issue of homosexuality was made public (McKinley, p.1). Today, the gay movement has thousands of followers around the globe. However, the issue of the legalization of gay marriages remains highly controversial. The aim of this essay is to argue that gay marriages should not be legalized.
Marriage is one of the basic social institutions. The history of marriage institution dates back to the biblical story of creation when God made Adam and created Eve to be his wife. One of the roles God gave to Adam and Eve was recreation. Opponents of same-sex marriages base their arguments on religious notions and argue that same-sex marriages are immoral. If same-sex marriages were moral, then God would have made a man for Adam rather than a woman. Strasser states that, “Legalized same-sex marriage violates freedom of religion, since those who believe deeply that homosexuality is immoral, and that same-sex marriage is wrong, would be forced by the government to accept these marriages” (p.145).
Heterosexual marriages serve a very important purpose of recreation and ensuring the survival of generations. In heterosexual marriages, each of the partners plays a distinct role as far as parenting is concerned. For instance, the father is the bread winner and provides a father-figure to his children. This is a very important role that is needed by every child. The mother on the other hand is mostly involved in home keeping and child rearing. The presence of both a mother-figure and a father-figure is an influential factor in the welfare of children as they grow up (Cheal and Morgan, p.32). Same-sex marriages do not play such roles. First and foremost, same-sex couples cannot reproduce biologically and therefore such marriages are not able to perform the fundamental purpose meant for marriages. Strasser (p.144) states that, “Legalization of same-sex marriages changes the social importance of marriage from its natural function of reproduction into a mere legality or freedom to have sex.” Secondly, even if same-sex couples choose to adopt children, they are not in a position to provide both father-figures and mother-figures to their children. Children adopted by male couples will grow up not knowing what it means to have a mother in their lives and vice versa. As a result, same-sex marriages have negative effects on the welfare of children.
The United States, like many other societies, is experiencing a deterioration of moral standards. Almost all types of the mass media have vulgar and violent contents (Taylor, p.10). From news, music, movies and even video games, children are exposed to immorality at a very tender age. Legalization of same-sex marriage would be yet another step in eroding the few morals that are now left. The most obvious effect of such legalization is that it would increase the rate of homosexuality in the state. It would serve as the green light for many people to engage in lesbianism and homosexuality. Secondly, it would increase the rate of marital divorce because it would provide married couples with an option out of especially-rocky marriages. The potential impact of such results is not difficult to imagine. Children will be adversely affected by the divorce of their parents (Cheal and Morgan, p.57). With no biological father or mother around to discipline them, children will be on the loose and their morals will decline. Goldberg-Hiller argues that, “at a time when we are faced with high rates of divorce, teen pregnancy, and rampant STDs, any action taken to undermine the sacrament of marriage is likely to further erode our communities,” (p.40).
Proponents of same-sex marriages argue that legalization would grant same-sex marriages equal rights and benefits with heterosexual marriages. Presently, heterosexual married couples have benefits in areas such as health care, adoption, inheritance and taxes. These rights are facilitated by federal and state laws. Same-sex marriages do not enjoy such benefits because the United States Constitution considers only heterosexual marriages as legal (Ball, p.64). Legalization of same-sex marriages would therefore grant homosexual couples such rights, protection and benefits. Secondly, legalization of same-sex marriages would uphold and protect the rights and freedom of citizens by allowing them to enjoy the kind of marriage they wish and to marry the person they love most regardless of their sex. According to Goldberg-Hiller (p.38), “a denial of rights or benefits without substantive due process directly contradicts the Fourteenth Amendment.”
The cons of legalization of same-sex marriages far outweigh the pros. Same-sex marriages are immoral; they undermine the procreation purpose of marriages; they have negative effects on the welfare of children; and they have high potential for eroding the moral standards of the society. Same-sex marriages should therefore not be legalized.
Works Cited
Ball, Howard. The Supreme Court in the Intimate Lives of Americans: Birth, Sex, Marriage, Childrearing, and Death. New York: New York University Press, 2004.
Cheal, David and David Morgan. Family: Critical Concepts in Sociology. New York: Routledge, 2003.
Goldberg-Hiller, Jonathan. The Limits to Union: Same-sex Marriage and the Politics of Civil Rights. Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 2002.
Karas, Katie. A Ban on Same-Sex Marriage in PA? 2008. Web.
McKinley, Jesse. “Sense of Calm as Gay Couples Wed Legally in California.” The New York Times, 2008: Web.
McLanahan, Sarah and Gary Sandefur. Growing up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 1994.
Strasser, Mark. On Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and the Rule of Law: Constitutional Interpretations at the Crossroads. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002.
Taylor, Jim. Your Children are Under Attack: How Popular Culture is Destroying your Kids’ Value and How You Can Protect Them. New York: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2005.