Critical Thinking: Same Sex Marriage

CRITICAL THINKING
SAME SEX MARRIAGE
LECTURER: MR. TRAN TIEN KHOI

One of the topics that has become a subject of and never failed to attract people’s attention is
same sex marriage. Actually, many people hold believed that it is not normal for homosexual
couples to marry. But to recognize that everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness, and is
the rightful happiness, comes from sincere love. It would not be difficult to answer the question
whether gay marriage is rational or not. In fact, allowing homosexual people to marry does not
infringe upon the interests and rights of others, but only brings happiness and protection to
homosexuals who are a normal, natural part, and inseparable from society.
Same-sex marriage is nothing new, with historical evidence showing that marriage has not
always been the institution between heterosexuals. Gay marriages have existed in some form
around 600 years ago. (Tulchin, 2007) Since early 1960’s, gay activists have been striving for the
right to marry. However, the issue of gay marriage only arose from the 1990’s, as three same-sex
couples filed a lawsuit against the state of Hawaii for the prohibition of gay marriage in US. The
case has come to a conclusion that banning gay marriage is not constitutional, as there is no real
practical reason and compelling arguments for it. (Bower, 2010)
This event had triggered the world’s attention over the next decade and consequently led to the
creation and approval of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1998. This law is exercised in
the US and it has further defined the term marriage, solely as the legal union between a man and
a woman. (Bower, 2010) In addition, this law asserts that no states in the US are required to
recognize same-sex marriage that is performed in other places. (Masci, 2007)
Although gay marriage is not allowed in many countries, some places provide an alternative -
civil union, as a compromise. In order to reduce controversy, the term civil union was used in
replace of marriage, and it is an institution that offers same-sex couples all the rights, benefits
and privileges that are equivalent to marriage. (Kirk, 2010)
In 1989, Denmark was the first country to establish civil union laws. Since then, many other
countries, including Australia and some states in the US, have adopted the civil union law in
attempt to resolve the problem of gay marriage. (Ellis-Christensen, 2010)
Despite the establishment of civil union, advocates of gay marriage have never stopped battling
for the right to marry. They indict that civil union do not include all the legal benefits, or the
cultural significance of marriage. (Infoplease, 2007) For instance, all benefits and rights granted
to a civil partnership are restricted within the state, as DOMA has denied the recognition from
the federal government. Also, supporters of gay marriage argue that civil union cannot replace
marriage, and it is just an alternative way of segregating gay couples from the society. (Kirk,
2010) This debate on the legalization of marriage will continue in the next few decades.
Here are some reasons for why same sex marriage should be allowed.
First of all, same sex marriage increases the number of children successfully adopted. Most
adoption agencies discriminate against gay couples and make it incredibly difficult for them to
adopt children. Many agencies will only release children to "married" couples, therefore
rejecting stable, loving, homosexual parents. By legalizing gay marriage in all states, adoption
agencies will be forced to grant the same respect and right to homosexual couples. Gay marriage
will increase the chances for thousands of foster children to gain loving parents and families.
Secondly, the divorce rate could be decreased. More than 50% of married couples in America
get divorced. Studies show that the US has one of the highest divorce rates compared to other
countries. Allowing same-sex lovers the opportunity to get married will increase marriage rates
because less couples will get divorced due to incompatibility or infertility. Legalizing gay
marriage will decrease divorce rate because it cannot get any worse than it is right now.
Next, It’s an issue of equal rights. In the 50's, interracial marriage was illegal. But now, modern
society understands this to be an unjust law that denied equal rights to couples who loved each
other. The issue of gay marriage is no different. Denying marriage to two individuals who love
each other is to deny them a fundamental freedom.
Moreover, It will diminish youth suicide. One of the main reasons why teenagers are commit
suicide are due to the child being bullied at their school as a result of his/her sexual orientation.
The same acceptance that will come about due to legalizing gay marriage will show teens that
homosexuality is accepted and respected in society. We need to explain to younger generations
that being different is not a social disability, so that they will never feel the need to take their
own lives because they are gay.
Ultimately, Same-sex lovers foster societal acceptance of same-sex lovers and LGBT
individuals. Legalizing gay marriage will help establish a social norm that includes and respects
homosexual lifestyles. Couples as well as individuals in the LGBT community will seem less
"different" from heterosexual lifestyle, so straight couples and individuals will be more inclined
to accept homosexual couples into their communities.
Conclusion
Homosexuals nowadays still have to face and deal with lots of difficulties in work life and
personal life that result in the prejudices and discrimination from other people. Homosexuals are
no strangers, but our descendants, relatives, neighbors, friends, colleagues. They work and
contribute to society as anyone else, but they are subject to many disadvantages and prejudices.
Therefore, there are no good reasons for us to isolate them and look down on them. All man has
human right, and that means all man have the right to live and love freely without any
judgement. No matter who you are, you have the right to be yourself and to be with the person
you love.
All things considered, it is clear that it is necessary to legalize the co-existence of homosexuals,
and to enhance their legitimate interests, rather than limiting them.
Group members
1. Phạm Võ Ngọc Bảo BABAWE15351

2. Lê Vũ Thiên Phúc BABANS16026
3. Bùi Trần Thanh Ngân BABANS16007
4. Bùi Trần Dạ Thảo BABANS16056
5. Triệu Thanh Thảo Ngân BABAIU15248

Critical Thinking: Same Sex Marriage

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Critical Thinking: Same Sex Marriage

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Critical Thinking: Same Sex Marriage

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CRITICAL THINKING

SAME SEX MARRIAGE

LECTURER: MR. TRAN TIEN KHOI

1. Phạm Võ Ngọc Bảo BABAWE15351

You might also like