Gay marriage legalization and American religious and cultural values

Gay Marriage

Being homosexual and having gay marriages have been issues in America due to religious beliefs and being questioned if it is morally right or wrong to condone that alterative lifestyle. As it is known to the rest of the world, America is the melting pot of the whole world, the New World, the land of opportunity, the land of the free, the green pastures, and the crossroads where virtually all nationalities and races meet. Homosexual lifestyles, which would include gay marriages would not have aroused studies and researches a few centuries ago because people would have been locked up or killed for even bringing up the topic in conversation. Even though this study would have been conducted in other countries, America is a place where it is most talked about and debated. Only America possesses the probability of finding solutions to these issues since they have issues of this kind such as preservation of heritage of immigrants, racial and ethnic differences, and cultural differences to name a few. Therefore, when finding solutions to lifestyles for homosexuals, America should remember that they live in a free country where people have the freedom to do what they want without having to have the government involved in their chosen lifestyle.

Stating the issue and presenting solutions

Being an American individual does not necessarily mean that you are of white, black, red, brown, or yellow complexion, which signify race. The term "American" has no racial insinuations for virtually all Americans trace their roots from distinct nationalities, races and ethnic groups and this complication alone can cause innumerable perplexed things. But because of the fact that America had evolved into its present status, all sorts of studies need to be carried out for the purpose showing that gay men and women should not be condemned for their alterative lifestyles.

All states should legalize gay marriages

For example, there are so many states that are divided on the topic since some states have defined marriage as being between a man and woman while other states have completely banned same sex marriages. This is due to the fact some people believe homosexuals lead ungodly lifestyles that go against society. When believing that, it is feeding into the stereotype everything a homosexual does is morally wrong. From there, American is free country to let people live their own lives especially if they are not hurting any other human beings. With that, it is clear that a solution would be make all states make gay marriage legal since more states are legalizing it as it can be seen from the following evidence, which clearly shows that America gives people the freedom to do what they want.

Eight states voted on legislation to decide whether or not couples of the same sex could marry. In some states, voters created a statewide definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. In others, voters eliminated the possibility of civil unions and domestic partnership agreements. Seven states passed such amendments, with Arizona the first to turn down a ballot measure on the subject (What's in a name? Reporting on the same-sex marriage debate 2006).

As it has been reported by CBS News, there are states that have banned same sex marriage because they have defined marriage as being between a man and a woman like other states have. Even though some believe this is going against people's freedom in America, many other states, believe this legal union should be between a man and a woman only. However, states like California and New Jersey have legalized same sex marriage because at the time, Former President George W. Bush stated that what two adults do in the privacy of their own home is their business even though America is not redefining marriage unlike other political people may argue. Since political people are divided on the issue, same sex marriage will always be a hot topic for debate and until America can come to agreement, people will be divided on the issue (Same Sex Marriage Ban 2004). However, as stated before, more states are legalizing gay marriages; and quiet honestly they are legalizing it quicker than marijuana. With that said and the evidence below showing that more states are legalizing gay marriage, the solution would be make all states legalize it due to the fact this is a free country.

From there, the state of Massachusetts lifted the ban off from same sex marriages because they felt it was going against their American rights. Furthermore, it has become clear that homosexual men and women are normal American people go to work every day, pay bills, and families or have the desire to have families.

In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from civil marriage was unconstitutional. The Senate then asked the Court for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of a proposed law that would bar same-sex couples from civil marriage but would create civil unions as a parallel institution, with all the same benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities under law. In February, the Court answered, "segregating same-sex unions from opposite-sex unions cannot possibly be held rationally to advance or preserve" the governmental aim of encouraging "stable adult relationships for the good of the individual and of the community, especially its children." Under this decision, the state of Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples in May 2004 (Same Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships 2010).

Gay couples can provide a stable home

To further support the solution that all states should legalize gay marriages, the stability of children in households that have same sex parents need to be addressed. When discussing stable adult relationships, future children have to be considered even if the couples are of the same sex. Some people feel that if a child grows up with homosexual parents, they will learn to be homosexuals (Gay Adoption Debate and Poll Should Gays and Lesbians be allowed to Adopt Children?). This idea is complexly wrong because children from "a normal home" with a mother and a father can have behavior issues. From there, it is apparent that children suffer from behavioral issues because they do not have the attention that they had experienced when their parents were married. Due to this evidence, it is clear that divorced children need more love and support when going through this period of adjustment from post-divorce (Bartholet 1999). Furthermore, research as proven behavioral issues can be limited if the child is provided the proper attention from two parent home even if both parents are same sex.

It is apparent that family structure is highly important to children's behavior due to the fact it does affect all levels of educational performance, which includes preschool to college. Furthermore, family has a big influence on a child behavior. This is due to the fact when observing, other family members behavior, it is not likely that they will pick up the trait but they will have a trait similar to the one that they observed (Stable home life children to learn). This could determine their adult future, which could lead to a very productive life or serving a criminal sentence. Furthermore, a child needs a stable home, which mean the parents are the same sex. With that, this makes a stronger for the solution to legalize same sex marriages in all states

Conclusion

In conclusion, having same sex marriage will only become more beneficial to this country because it will lead to peace of mind for gay couples, considering they live in a free land. Presenting the solutions in the paper, and putting them in use, gay couples can provide a stable home for a child and themselves. Unfortunately, there are people who believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, which makes the government and states provide strict guidelines. However, part of the solution is take marriage out of the state and let it a strictly religious ceremony since this is a free country.

What's in a name? Reporting on the same-sex marriage debate. 2006. Society of Professional Journalists. 17 April 2010. http://www.spj.org/divws5.asp

Same Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships. 2010. NCSL. 17 April 2010. http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16430

Same Sex Marriage Ban. 2004. CBS News. 17 April 2010. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=628684n&tag=mncol;lst;1

Stable home life children to learn. 2006. Marriage of Family and Education. 17 April 2010. http://health.yahoo.com/relationships-family/family-life-cycle/healthwise -- ty6171.html

Gay Adoption Debate and Poll Should Gays and Lesbians be allowed to Adopt Children?. 2010. 17 April 2010. http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/gay_adoption.htm

Bartholet, Elizabeth. Nobody's Children: Abuse and Neglect, Foster Drift, and the Adoption Alternative. 1999. 17 April 2010. http://www.law.harvard.edu/alumni/bulletin/backissues/spri2000/article7.html

Linderberger, Michael. A Gay-Marriage Solution: End Marriage?. 2009. Time. 17 April 2010. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1885190,00.html