...Same-Sex Marriage and Tradition Nancy Messer University of Phoenix Business Communications and Critical Thinking COM275 Fernando Gutierrez-Rueda November 01, 2012 Same Sex-Marriage and Tradition Gay marriage violates tradition. The definition of “tradition”, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is a “long-established custom or belief that has been passed on from one generation to another”. It has been a long-established custom and belief that marriage should only exist between a man and a woman. “A central point of contention in the national debate over same-sex marriage is the importance of preserving tradition. Opponents of such bans argue that tradition is an illegitimate justification for the bans, while defenders of traditional marriage contend that tradition is not only a legitimate justification, but is in fact sufficiently important to withstand heightened judicial scrutiny.” (Ford-Mazrui, 2011, para. 1) Society divides themselves based on class: income, religion, finances, ethnicity, etc.; the majority holding control over the minority since the beginning of time. There is and always will be some group of minorities that are segregated. Traditionally, most cultures have defined marriage as a unification of one man and one woman, but tradition has a dark history. Tradition includes the ownership of slaves, incongruous treatment of workers, and the denial of rights to women. The abolishment of slavery, the women’s rights movement, and civil rights proved that...
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...What is sociology? ------------------------------------------------- Sociology is a thing, which if it didn’t exist, would have to be invented… ------------------------------------------------- Leonard Broom (2005, p. 210) If you’re new to sociology, and trying to get your head around exactly what it entails, you probably haven’t realised that you’ve encountered it many times already. Sociological analysis features regularly in media commentary and public debate. One sociologist noted “ours has become an age pervaded by sociology’ and sociological concepts have ‘drifted into our everyday language.’ Robert Merton 1981, p. 42. This familiarity with the subject matter of sociology – we are all members of society and thus by definition, should be automatic experts on the topic – can too often lead to the dismissal of the sociological enterprise as mere common sense. Yet, it is much more than that. Sociology involves a methodical study of human behaviours and societies. It is the study of the relationship between the individual and society, investigating how human thought, action and interaction shapes and is shaped by society, or how ‘we create society at the same time as we are created by it’. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. Questions: 1. Imagine you are looking through the telescope at our society. In your own words, how would...
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...University of Phoenix Material Traditional African Institutions and Beliefs Worksheet Describe in a 700-word essay how traditional institutions and beliefs socialized Africans into their communities. Many African cultures still utilize traditions and beliefs in establishing where a member of the community fits in. There are many different examples of this throughout the African continent. In many African communities family plays an important role not only with the family hierarchy but also with the greater community. Great efforts are often put in to establish credibility and position within one community. Some of the methods that are common to many different cultures involve marriage and community roles. Marriage is an important institution by which an individual can contribute to their family in the most basic of ways: reproduction. Marriage traditions can differ greatly across Africa but there are also some common practices that only differ slightly form community to community. One such example would be the brideswealth or brides price. Brideswealth is a common tradition that helps establish several key factors within a person’s life. Brideswealth is the term used to describe the dowry the groom’s family must pay to the bride’s family (Khapoya, 2010). There are several reasons a brides price is paid. First it helps the groom’s family make up for taking a valuable resource which is the labor provided to her family by the bride (Khapoya, 2010). Secondly it helps the groom...
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...What is sociology? ------------------------------------------------- Sociology is a thing, which if it didn’t exist, would have to be invented… ------------------------------------------------- Leonard Broom (2005, p. 210) If you’re new to sociology, and trying to get your head around exactly what it entails, you probably haven’t realised that you’ve encountered it many times already. Sociological analysis features regularly in media commentary and public debate. One sociologist noted “ours has become an age pervaded by sociology’ and sociological concepts have ‘drifted into our everyday language.’ Robert Merton 1981, p. 42. This familiarity with the subject matter of sociology – we are all members of society and thus by definition, should be automatic experts on the topic – can too often lead to the dismissal of the sociological enterprise as mere common sense. Yet, it is much more than that. Sociology involves a methodical study of human behaviours and societies. It is the study of the relationship between the individual and society, investigating how human thought, action and interaction shapes and is shaped by society, or how ‘we create society at the same time as we are created by it’. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. Questions: 1. Imagine you are looking through the telescope at our society. In your own words, how would you describe the society...
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...Cultural Marriages Cultural Marriages Kenny Lyday March 9th, 2013 EG351 Week 11 Project part 2 Dr. Dunn 11162824 The institution of marriage carries various social implications that determine quality of life depending upon the social construct of the couple. Learning to form bonds with others begins at a very young age, and in so doing, forms many of the decisions that adults have in weddings and ceremonies. Along with the bond, mate selection, cultural similarities and social attitudes help construct the institution of marriage. Ideas into the process of marriage and types of ceremonies shape the establishment of the joining of individuals. Being with the right person, determining if family and friends would be accepting of the choice made, and cultural similarities that can affect child rearing are a few questions that can be generated when the union of two individuals join together to solidify their bond into matrimony. In essence, typical marriages deal with the course of two individuals who gain emotional ties that become strong enough to believe that to complete the final choice in true commitment is to undergo the process of making an outward proclamation of togetherness. Many view this sort of ceremony to be sacred, and in fact, include various religious infusions that in many cases are culturally influenced. Primary decisions that influence marriage do not always include the idea of love, or even emotional bonds. The idea of being loneliness, feeling...
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...disallowance of it violates their constitutional rights. Marriage is an institution long recognized by our government under the right to pursue happiness, and denying that right to any couple, regardless of gender, is unconstitutional. This argument, though, is not disputed. In fact, none of the arguments raised in opposition to the allowance of homosexual marriages takes into account the constitutional rights afforded to all humans. The arguments are only in relation to the possible repercussions (real or imagined) of granting these rights. Our nation was built and has always been based on the fundamental principles of freedom expressed in the Declaration of Independence and through our Constitution. The opponents of homosexual marriage need to remember what freedom means to America, and understand the significance of setting a precedent that denies that freedom. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the institution of marriage is one of the rights guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution. Banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. Marriage is a basic human right and should not be denied to any individual. At various times in U.S. history, other minorities have been prevented from marrying: African-Americans, for example. Interracial marriage was also legally prohibited in various states, until the Supreme Court ruled such bans unconstitutional in 1967 ("Should Gay" 31). At this time, however, marriage is only granted to heterosexual couples. Although homosexuals...
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...in tradition and continuity? * Tradition refers to ideas, practices or institutions that have endured over time and been inherited from earlier periods. Its very nature creates continuity between the past, present and future. The very name ‘conservatism’ suggests that followers of the ideology believe in the maintenance of tradition and the preservation of continuity. * There are certainly numerous examples in which it is evident that conservatives believe in tradition and continuity; its very development was based on preserving the pre-Puritan traditions. * Despite it being a fundamental part of the ideology, however, history dictates that conservatives have on numerous occasions abandoned such belief in favour of realistic pragmatism, * Such as Disraeli’s identification of the Two Nations and the Conservative government of 1950, following the establishment of the National Health Service in 1946, chose to maintain this popular institution regardless of conservatives originally favouring the traditional method of private healthcare. * It can even be argued that such pragmatism has created a modern Conservative party that bares little, if no resemblance of, conservative ideology; whereas tradition conservatives stressed on tradition, the New Right and modern conservatism has rejected this notion. * The belief in tradition and continuity was given great importance by traditional conservatives. The original conservative thinkers regarded tradition as...
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...In the early church, there was no formal marriage ceremony. There was no marriage ceremony because Christians believed it was important for the soon to be couple to be blessed by a pastor or priest. Back then, getting married was monogamous and heterosexual. It was considered a civic requirement along with procreation. Additionally, Christians began to see a spiritual interpretation in marriage and the Catholic church made marriage a sacrament. In Reformation, Luther and Calvin rejected the idea of matrimony as a sacrament and thought the church should have no power in it. Luther affirmed matrimony to be a worldly thing that belongs to the realm of the government. In the 17th century, English Puritans created an Act of Parliament which stated that marriage is not a sacrament. In return, the Catholic church kept authority in marriage and made more traditions, rituals, and rules.The first Christian wedding ceremony was the 9th century. Then, marriage became a church ritual in the 12 century. Also, in the 12th century, the Priest was incorporated in the ceremony. They later became in charge and blessed the couple in the 13th century.Christian church fathers made sure that getting married was only acceptable because it created a way of producing offspring. The church then...
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...allow for corrections to inequalities. Changes such as women’s rights and minority rights have changed to reflect human equality. Reading the Gay Marriage: Not a Very Good Idea article was a bit disturbing to me since I believe in human rights and equality. The rights for woman and the rights for males regardless of the their sexual preferences are being violated based on our constitution as it pertains to choosing who we want to partner with. The institution of marriage is an exclusive relationship in which one individual commits to another in mind, body and soul in a joint venture of their lives. Laws against same sex marriage exposes hatred and inequality to said individuals due to the nature of their union (male – male, female – female). The opposition to gay marriages contradicts our views on equality as stated in our constitution. Devaluation, as stated by Bennett (1996), of marriage because of sexual revolution is essentially stating that each individual is striped of his or her rights once they join in same sex marriage because the value of marriage has been tainted. Traditionally, marriage meant to bring businesses and political alliances together as one to improve their living situations; it did not mean it was correct. Traditionally, people were racist and sexist; also did not mean it was not correct. Tradition does not mean correctness; it is the passing down of the usual and customary beliefs from generation to generation. It was traditional for women...
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...Same-sex Marriage: Liberals vs. Conservatives The political issue of same-sex marriage has become one of the most popular issues that our society has ever dealt with. Last year in 2012, it was considered one of the top political issues of the year. Same-sex marriage is the marriage of two people of the same biological gender and/or gender identity. Supporters of same-sex marriage will also use the term marriage equality when discussing same-sex marriage. Currently, there are countless amounts of people who are working to legalize same-sex marriage in the U.S. There are also countless amounts of people who are against legalizing same-sex marriage. Should two people of the same sex be allowed to get married? Liberals and conservatives have two very different answers to that question. When discussing an ideology’s view on a certain topic, it is important to refer back to the core themes of that ideology. The core themes of liberalism are: the individual, freedom, reason, justice, and toleration. The core themes of conservatism are: tradition, human imperfection, organic society, hierarchy and authority, and property. When asking a liberal if same-sex marriage should be legalized, their answer would most likely be yes. Liberals believe that marriage is a union between two people that love each other. It should not matter if that marriage is between two people of the same sex as long as they love one another. To ensure equality for everybody, they believe that marriage...
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...Annotated bibliography "AFRICAN MARRIAGE | Marriage | Pro- Life | Family | Culture." AFRICAN MARRIAGE. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/africanmarriageritual.html>. This article examines carefully what marriage is and why it is the most important ceremony in African culture. African weddings are a spiritual and social family affair and it involves the combining of two lives, two families and two communities. It illustrates different types of marriages that exist in the African societies. | Agbogun, James. "Nigeria, People and Culture: Housa Marriage." Nigeria, People and Culture: Housa Marriage. N.p., 4 Feb. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.the-nigeria.com/2012/02/housa-marriage.html>. This article describes the Hausa tribe marriage in Nigeria. The Hausas live in northern Nigeria. They are also found in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The Hausas generally attach great importance to premarital chastity. A Hausa husband who discovers that the girl he has married is not a virgin will proclaim her shame to the entire town by breaking a pot outside his house. Among most Fulani, and other sub tribes of the Hausa, custom forbids sexual intercourse between young people who are betrothed. Egbosiuba, Michael. "Yoruba Traditional Marriage." All Things Nigeria. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.allthingsnigeria.com/2012/yoruba-traditional-marriage>. The article describes the Yoruba marriage in Nigeria. Yoruba tribe is one of...
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...Influence of Social Institutions: Family, Religion and Education Elizabeth Bouer SOC/100 May 30, 2016 Dr. Karly Way Schauwecker The Influence of Social Institutions: Family, Religion and Education Early philosopher and originator of Functionalism theory, Herbert Spence (1820-1903), compared parallels between the function of the human anatomy and society. “He argued that just as the various organs of the body work together to keep the body functioning, the various parts of society work together to keep society functioning” (OpenStax CNX, 2015, p.15 ). Just as the body has organs that help it to exist and thrive, society also has key components which attribute to its overall success. These essential parts of the successful and fluid existence of a society are referred to as social institutions. Social institutions are structures of principles or conducts, focused on achieving social needs. Six critically significant, outlines of social institutions are: government, education, family, healthcare, religion and the economy (CNX, 2015). Government has its benefits, in that it helps to structure, regulate and organize a society. Healthcare is an essential component, not only for the continuity of existence, but as well as for continuance of reaching full/highest human potential. The economy (more specifically its success), is a critical element for a society’s ability to endure, succeed and grow. However, for many, out of the six institutions, the three most...
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...been challenged to make decisions that have oppressed and freed certain groups of people. The political fight for same-sex marriages is a perfect example of this notion. This relation between spouses has created a major controversy that is creating history in our nation. A series of protests, acts and political scandal has opened America to discuss a topic that had been in “the closet” for a long time. This discussion asks questions that have caused a visceral reaction in society. Same sex marriage opens the door to a new unnatural purpose that could detrimentally influence the fragile generations to come. Tradition is a strong component in the institution of marriage. The ideal American dream usually involves the perfect fairy-tale wedding with the gorgeous white wedding dress for the bride, the matching bridesmaids, the well-arranged bouquet and, the numerous rituals that compose this well thought-out event. Usually it requires a spectacular amount of planning, devotion and dollars to make the important day memorable. Family and friends come together to rejoice in the vows that will bond the two lovers into a lifetime journey of love, commitment and fidelity. Both persons in the relation is expected to have a role in this institution. According to Judith Wallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee, “In the idealized form of the older model of traditional marriage, the man’s primary job for self-definition is to provide for the economic well-being, protection, and stability of his family...
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...Conjugal versus Revisionist Marriage: The ongoing debate in the U.S. over what constitutes marriage. What is Marriage? Are there qualifiers for what relationships can be classified as marriages? This paper will examine the arguments for defining marriage through the lens of Western Moral Tradition. According to the U.S. Government marriage is define as, §7. Definition of “marriage” and “spouse” In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word “spouse” refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife. (Added Pub. L. 104–199, §3(a), Sept. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2419.) Where does the official United States Federal definition stem from? The answer to that question is not a single source but a series of teachings handed down from Western society stemming, arguably going back to ancient Greece and ancient Jerusalem. The legal use of marriage is not just for religious purposes but also for tax, property rights, and child rearing. Recently, a cultural divide has invigorated a debate on redefining marriage to include same sex or non-traditional unions as marriages. The debate is largely two sides each defining the specifics of what marriage entails. The first is referred to as conjugal view and the latter is revisionist view. Conjugal...
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...Marriage has been deteriorating in our society for some time now. If we compare today’s generation to a hundred years back you can see that the term marriage is viewed very differently. The word marriage means, “The social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.” Although the idea of marriage can mean something different to anyone, it has become clear that it is not valued like it once was. Marriage has been deteriorating in our society for quite some time causing young marriage to be looked down upon. In the late fourth century St. Augustine spoke of three reasons for the “good of marriage”: the goodness of progeny, the control of lust, and “mysterium” or the imaging in marriage of the relation of Christ and the church (Ruether). Augustine argued that marriage was still good and allowed in the Christian era, but the highest way of life is virginity or sexual continence. Also he argued for a spiritual hierarchy in heaven, with the virgins and continent widows on a higher level than the married. Therefore, Augustine viewed the married as distinctly third rate in the church and the kingdom of heaven. Augustine also believed that it was not possible to engage in the sexual act without sinful “concupiscence.” Although, this was forgiven within marriage if sex was engaged for the sake of procreation, but sexual pleasure in marriage that impeded procreation is equivalent to fornication...
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