...RUNNING HEAD: SAME SEX ADOPTION-AN ETHICAL DILEMMA Same Sex Adoption- An Ethical Dilemma The topic of homosexual equality is a very controversial one for many people; from legalizing gay marriage to inequality in the workplace. Homosexual adoption is another issue that is overlooked by many. The view of a happy and healthy family in the United States has always been looked at as a traditional mother, father, 2.5 kids a dog and a goldfish and that the child’s wellbeing is determined by having a good, strong mother and a father to teach and guide their children to be the best they can be. However, what about the opposite? Many same-sex couples are ready and willing to adopt and have a family of their own, but many states have laws in place that ban same-sex couples from being able to adopt. This ban on same-sex adoption leaves thousands of children without families in the foster care system or in unstable households where they will never reach their full potential. Currently, there are 130,000 children in the foster care system without a permanent family (Ryan, Averett, & Nalavany, 2009). Giving same-sex couples the opportunity to adopt could lessen the load and give more children loving, healthy, and happy permanent families. As of today, 24 states recognize same-sex marriage and only 19; including Washington DC permit same-sex couples to jointly adopt; which allows a couple to adopt a child at the same time. 13 states permit second-parent adoption...
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...Same sex marriage is already taboo, but same sex couples raising children is mostly not considered acceptable by the public because of the misconception that they are not qualified to bring up children in accordance with proper social values. The public is not certain if children will receive proper education about society and behavior to fit in as responsible members. However, several recent movements, such as Feminism and Post-modernism, argue about equal rights for everybody. Feminism is mainly concerned about the equality of men and women in society while Post-modernism is mainly concerned with ending all forms of discrimination in society. Feminism is actually a subdivision of Post-modernism because Post-modernism is against all discriminations while Feminism specializes in pointing out women's rights in the society and the equal status of women and men. Among other things, both ideologies re-evaluate the meaning of love and marriage in modern society. Besides the social movements, several scientific research was made regarding children who grow up in same sex marriages. Children raised in a same sex marriage share the same core values with the society, maybe even higher because they never learned about sexual discrimination in their home, and the only reason why they are restrained is because of the public opinion on these situations. In accordance with scientific research, the American Psychological Association (APA) claims that there are should be no concerns with same...
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...children by same sex couples. Based on this topic, I’d like to look into the question “Are children adopted by gay parents more likely to have the psychological problem?” And the thesis I stated is that gay couples are able to provide a warm and normal environment for adopted children to grow up. I want to focus on this topic from the current situation of gay adoption, gay couples are capable of raising children and children adopted by gay parents are the same as those who born in heterosexual families. Nowadays, the homosexual people are coming into public view and are accepted by more and more people. It has attracted much concern to improve and protect their rights, such as the Gay-Right Movement which refers...
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...Equals: Same-Sex Marriage We are taught in society at a very young age that we are all equal to one another, but as we get older we find that is not true. People are placed into different social classes, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and so on. Marriage is a big defining point in one’s life. To say that we are not equal in the power of love is wrong; we are human, so same-sex marriage should be legal. The main reason for denying marriage to gay couples is that all major religions consider homosexuality a sin. Opponents claim that it would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage. Dr. James Dobson is an evangelical Christian author, who wrote in his book Marriage Under Fire, with the family out of the way, all rights and privileges of marriage will accrue to gay and lesbian partners without the legal entanglements and commitments heretofore associated with it. Another disclaimer is that homosexuals make unfit parents, and that it would confuse the children about gender roles and expectations of society, and only a man and woman can pro-crate (Dr. James Dobson). First, there is no evidence to show that homosexuals make unfit parents, just biased opinions. In the article Marriage and Child Wellbeing it was put into context, “same-sex marriages are entirely unclear: children not being raised by same-sex couples—- which is to say, children being raised by opposite-sex couples, married or unmarried, or by single parents. How might same-sex marriage...
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...Same-Sex Marriage Bernard Randall-Jones American Intercontinental University Online Abstract Same-sex marriage, also commonly referred to as Gay marriage, is a very hotly contested issue that divides a great number of people throughout the world. In this argumentative essay, the topic is explored by three of its main arguments. The first exploration of this topic will involve the ability of same-sex couples to parent as effectively as their heterosexual counterparts. Next, the legal issues surrounding same-sex marriage are explored. Lastly, the religious arguments are evaluated. Both sides of the argument for and against same-sex marriage are discussed while the reader is given a respect for the position of supporting marriage equality. Same-Sex Marriage Traditionally, marriage has been defined as both a religious and civil institution that has been afforded to one man and one woman in the promise of love. Modern, more liberal ideologies have challenged this view. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) people have been at the forefront of championing the cause for the right to expand the definition of marriage to allow everyone to enjoy the same rights and privileges, without discrimination, as their heterosexual counterparts. Amongst the privileges that they seek are to love, honor and cherish their spouses in equal recognition to their heterosexual counterparts. This paper argues that LGBT people should be allowed to marry because homosexual couples...
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...Gay Marriage Same-Sex Marriage is a huge debate around the world and America. It comes up in every governmental president election and debate. Supporters of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) couples are pushing for the legal rights for same-sex couples to get married. The issue has been tossed back and forth for centuries, but is just now acquiring popularity in the mainstream. There are nine states that have already passed the Same-Sex marriage bill, such as Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington, but a lot of people and scholars are claiming it to be detrimental to society, and that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage should not be allowed because studies show that society will be destroyed by the outcome of legalizing this act. Homosexuality is mentioned in the Bible many times and exploits it as an immoral sin. A scripture from the Letter to the Corinthians states, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers not male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God”, and a scripture from Leviticus states, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before...
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...Lomuro – 644694. Michelle Khalenya Shimoli – 640717. Njenga Joel Gichuhi. – 643203. LECTURER : Brenda Wambua. TASK: Semester Group 1 Term Paper. BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION: SHOULD THE GAY COMMUNITY BE ACCEPTED IN OUR SOCIETY GLOBALLY? What is sexual orientation? According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual orientation is an enduring, emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person. Basically, Sexual orientation is about who attracts us. This attraction may lead to love hence marriage. The issue of same-sex marriage is an argument that we have heard of and have strong opinions on. We believe that homosexual couples should have the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Marriage is a basic human right. You cannot tell people they cannot fall in love." While he said this in reference to the marriage between races, the same can be said about homosexuals (Smiley, 2013). Who are we to judge who people get married to or not? Homosexuality, years ago, was unacceptable. Most gay people hid it from others who would discriminate the act. They married the opposite gender in order to live out a "normal" life. There were many instances of homosexuals being prosecuted and discriminated...
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...Marriage Act which banned federal recognition of same-sex marriage and defined marriage as a “legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife,” it gave people a conception of the definition of marriage in which we have since come a long way. Although many people are still against the legalization of same sex marriage, same sex marriage should be legalized in every state because it is their civil rights which are a completely separate from the religion aspect, it will increase a strong family value and help to increase the number of child adoptions, and will bring a surplus of financial benefits. Many people in today’s world believe that same sex marriage should not be legalized because it goes against the moral definition of marriage. According to the dictionary, marriage is “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband and wife in a consensual and contractual relationship organized by law” (Marriage. (n.d.)). This definition allows people to have a biased conception of what the term marriage means. Though marriage is defined as a holy matrimony between a man and woman, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is only between man and woman. According to a recent survey, half of Americans (45%) say they think engaging in homosexual behavior is a sin, while an equal number says it’s not (“In Gay Marriage Debate, Both Supporters and Opponents See Legal Recognition as ‘Inevitable’” 2013). Although same sex marriage goes against...
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...Voting yes and getting the win on Proposition 8 will define marriage in California (to mean only) a union between one man and one woman. Yes will add exactly 14 words to the California State Constitution: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Voting no on Proposition 8 will define marriage in California( to mean) a union between any two people regardless of gender, which would include same-sex couples (Wohlsen & Hoag, 2009). Clearly, the effects of this vote will be far-reaching and long lasting. Advocates of Proposition 8 urge people to consider many consequences prior to voting. The following will explore counter arguments effecting these consequences and show that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional as it “violates the due process and equal protection rights of gays and lesbians under the U.S. Constitution by denying them the right to marry the person of their choice and by singling them out for disparate treatment without a legitimate rationale” (Ashby, 2010). Same Sex Marriage: Overturn Ban on Same Sex Marriage in California An Argument to Vote No on Proposition 8 During the hearing, it was argued that Propositions 8’s withdrawal of the right of marriage from gays and lesbians was unconstitutional as it violates their civil rights. The reason being was, in the 5 months prior to the ruling of Proposition 8, gay and lesbian couples enjoyed the right to marry as it had been ruled legal in the state of California, only to...
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...Same Sex Marriage Marriage has always been a commitment between a man and a woman. It is a relationship that comes from human nature, established by God. Simultaneously, same sex marriage opposes nature and therefore if it is legalized, it will change the foundation of society. Consequently, it will violate natural law, and cause marriage to be less meaningful. No doubt, it will no longer hold its value and lose tradition. Same sex marriage should be illegal because it ignores a child’s best interest, it is not natural, and it offends God by sinning and violating his word. However, a nurturing environment for little children is in a home brought up with two parents, a man and a woman that are in a marriage together. Not a home with either two males or two females. It can cause confusion in children. Same sex marriage ignores a child’s best interest. “Based on the medical, biological, psychological, social, and other evidence, all else being equal, same sex couples cannot best parent a child in their household” It creates an unstable environment for raising children. Children in these circumstances do not receive all the benefits of being brought up with a married mother and father. Each gender is important for child development. Children brought up by gay and lesbian couples are at more of a risk of struggling academically, living poorly, having behavior problems, and at times having kids at an early age Following this, children need both parents a masculine father and a feminine...
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...Marriage Equality in the United States Com172 Marriage Equality in the United States There is a crusade against same-sex couples in the United States of America, and this conflict affects the rights of those in love with someone of the same-sex wanting a peaceful life in matrimony. It is a persistent battle, and continues to be as difficult as the fight for women’s rights and the desegregation conflicts of the past. Infringing upon Civil rights makes this a matter of human decency, and ignorance-based resistance makes it a matter of fear. Both sides have evoked controversy from political and religious standpoints, and both sides have fought diligently for their beliefs. However, when two consenting adults decide to marry, it is not the business of the government to dictate the relationship between the impending spouses. Marriage is the right of all consenting adults, and when those rights are the property of the state simply because of religious beliefs or personal beliefs, same-sex couples become second-class citizens. In the United States, there are only 13 states legally accepting same-sex marriage, 35 states that consider it illegal and two states that have made no legal decision. Of the 13 states recognizing same-sex marriage, the fight to extend those rights to a federal level has been arduous, making a first major win recently, in June 2013. The Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional, stating, "DOMA singles out a class of persons...
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...Ameilia Davis Professor Walters English 101 30 June 2014 Same-Sex Marriage Equality They say that marriage is between a man and a woman. But personally, I believe marriage is between love and love. These two loves can be man and woman, or even man and man, or woman and woman. Same-sex marriage should be legal because two people in love have the right to be together, as a married couple. It is uncivilized and unmerited to infringe upon the rights of those who choose to be with one of the same sex. The Constitution states many of our rights, mainly life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which no man should be deprived of. The last one, though, being deprived of homosexual and bisexual people; they cannot be married to the one person they truly love which violates their freedoms. There are only nineteen states, according to gaymarriage.procon.org, that have legalized same-sex marriage which are: California, Delaware, Maine, Utah, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Arkansas, Idaho, Wisconsin, and Indiana. But in other states, such as: Alaska, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Alabama same sex marriage is not allowed, let alone a civil partnership. You can ask: why should same-sex marriage be legalized? But then, I would ask: who is the person next to you, or you yourself, someone to dictate who marries who? Like the Loving V. Virginia case, they could not be married because...
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...Traditional Relationships and Same Sex Relationships: Are They Really That Different? According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center “49% of Americans are in support of same sex marriage. What is more interesting is that 70% of the Millennial Generation (people born after 1980) are in support of same sex marriage.” While these numbers have significantly increased over the years and it looks like the younger generation is becoming much more accepting of gay marriage there are still many out there who oppose it. This makes us wonder, how different is a homosexual and a heterosexual relationship? Honestly, there are not a lot of concrete differences. Homosexual relationships can be just as long lasting as a heterosexual relationship. The love that a homosexual feels for their partner is just as strong as their heterosexual counterpart. A same sex couple is just as capable of supporting and a raising a child. The major difference that exists between homosexual and heterosexual relationships is the fact that marriage is still not legal in all states. This poses an issue for homosexuals because they are denied many rights that heterosexuals are granted. While homosexual and heterosexual relationship are different they are also surprisingly similar. A stereotype exists in our society that same sex partnerships are not as long lasting as heterosexual relationships or that homosexuals do not desire to be in a committed relationship. This stereotype has been disproven...
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...In the United States, there is a lot of controversy over the issue of gay marriage. There are constant discrepancies between adamant believers in gay marriage and the political leaders of our country. The government’s refusal of the right of the marriage of homosexuals should not be tolerated. A large portion of people in America at the moment are utterly and completely against gay marriage, however there are also those who possess a more liberal view on the situation and feel differently towards the subject of equal treatment for all people. Religious beliefs often play a substantial role in the decision making process in many ways. For instance, Christian politicians are using their religious beliefs to impose their views and ideas upon people of their denomination. Christians believe that gay marriage shouldn’t be allowed because of the Bible entries that suggest that God made man and women for each other and that any other variation of this couple is a sin. Some feel that this country was founded on the beliefs of Christianity and therefore we should respect those ideals of our forefathers but this can no longer be the case. Our society has grown throughout the years and people have become more and more accepting of change. Every person has their own religious freedom to worship which ever God they see fitting and to believe in any cause they choose. There has been separation from church and state for many years...
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...Here Same-sex marriage has been an ongoing issue for quite some time in the United States and it has existed throughout all of history; it has gone on a roller coaster of decisions just in the past fifteen years. The United States has not always been in favor of same-sex marriage, however, there are regions within the US, such as Massachusetts, that did get off of the path of the rest of the country and made their own laws about granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “Since 2001, ten countries and other nation-states have begun to legally formalize same-sex marriages, including Canada, Spain, and some regions within the United States” (Reidel 275). With the support of gay marriage from President Barack Obama, a few other states were in support also. The support of same-sex marriage comes from the belief that it would better our society and that it is an equal right amongst couples. Despite the factual evidence, there are still many people who believe that same-sex marriage would harm our society, but there is always an argument against that. The legalization of gay marriage would better our society and there are many sources and an ample amount of research to prove that. Same-sex marriage should be an equal right. As African-Americans once fought for their freedom, women once fought for their right to vote, now homosexuals are fighting for their right to marry. The constitution says that everyone has a right to liberty and equality; however same-sex couples...
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