...Sample Final Exam Essay: Legalize Gay Marriage English—Mr. Fichter (This sample essay is based upon a student-written essay from last year. The student author is anonymous.) Homosexuality is everywhere. You can see it in books, on television, in the media; it is rapidly becoming a social norm. Given this trend of greater acceptance of gay marriage, the issue of whether to legalize same-sex marriage naturally arises. Massachusetts has led the way by legalizing gay marriage. Responding to this example, some states have taken steps towards accepting gay marriage while others are considering laws and constitutional amendments banning gay marriage within state borders. President George Bush has recently proposed a ban on gay marriage in the U.S. Constitution (Hulse). If Americans carefully examine the situation, however, they should all be able to understand the importance of making same-sex marriage legal in the United States. Those opposing same-sex marriage claim that by allowing this act, marriages everywhere will lose their honor and validity (Kurtz). Marriages between a man and a woman would lose their special importance, these opponents argue, if the definition of marriage is expanded to include same-sex couples as well. The test of time has proven this fear pointless. For several years, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have allowed gay marriage without any signs of damage to heterosexual couples. Social life in these countries continues unchanged, and...
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...to be reluctant to accept that gay couples can adopt. Experts have demonstrated the importance of the maternal and paternal roles in childhood, which determine the child’s performance in school and their ability to fit in society. Having a completely different family structure could be confusing and ultimately result in irreparable psychological stress for the adopted kid. However, studies show that most arguments against gay and lesbian adopting rights are obsolete and irrationally conservative. There is a constantly increasing number of children that desperately need a loving home because their biological parents cannot rear them, and there are also countless same-sex couples willing to provide those unwanted children with all the love and stability that they deserve. The argument that growing up with gay or lesbian adoptive parents traumatizes children is a myth, and the most recent family studies corroborate this fact. It is important to first understand why same-sex couples wish to adopt. As opposed to most heterosexual couples-which consider adoption only after trying fertility treatments of all kinds- most homosexual couples see adoption as their first and only choice for parenting. (Jennings et al., 2014) Gay and lesbian couples are generally less attached to the concept of genetic parenthood, and they are more open to adopt children with whom they share no genetic makeup. (Jennings et al., 2014) Altruism, and the desire to raise children that are more tolerant to others...
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...11/8/06 Argument Essay Same-Sex Marriage: Not a Match for Society Marriage, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “the legal relationship into which a man and a woman enter with purpose of making a home and raising a family” (358).Although most people in the United States, including myself, agree on that definition, there are a select few who do not. Some feel same-sex marriage should be legalized; I disagree! I disagree because of its effects on children, its unnaturalness, and its religious immorality. My first argument addresses the effects of homosexual parents on children; and children affected by homosexuality in general. A child living in a home with homosexual parents encounters the problem of the lack of either a mother or father figure, which is important in raising a child, instead of being raised by both a mother and a father. Studies have shown that being raised by a mother and a father, children are less likely to do drugs, commit suicide, or become pregnant (Dobson). Another disadvantage to homosexual rearing is the child may become confused about his or her gender and sexuality. One source explained that females raised in a lesbian home are four times as likely to become lesbians themselves; and for males raised in a gay home, they are twice as likely to become gay as well (Kiley 2). Another concern for children with homosexual parents is sexual abuse from one or both of the parents, which is fifty times as likely as opposed to heterosexual parents (Kiley 2). ...
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...Summary of “For Gay Marriage” In his essay “For Gay Marriage,” Andrew Sullivan argues that marriage isn’t and has never been, in his view just a “private contract” between two people, and that now marriage is seen as a social and public recognition of such a commitment (404). Sullivan argues that to refuse homosexuals the right to marry is a public offense to their rights and equality as citizens. Sullivan makes the case in his essay that homosexual couples deserve the same rights, the right to marry, because they are just as capable of fulfilling the requirements of marriage as heterosexuals. Throughout his essay Sullivan argues that marriage should be allowed between any two people. He explains that marriage can no longer just be defined in the narrow sense as between a man and a woman, rather it has to be viewed in a broader perspective as it is an “emotional, financial, and psychological bond between two people”, who are consenting adults who are not closely related to one another (404). Sullivan makes the argument that marriage should not be denied to same sex couples because marriage is no longer viewed in our society as being for the sole function of procreation. It no longer matters if a couple has children or not, so why should whether or not a couple can have children be a stipulation that keeps the right to marry from homosexual couples. Sullivan finally asserts that marriage is an emotional commitment by two people for life, and that it requires sacrifice, commitment...
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...“Do you agree to legalize the same-sex marriage here in the Philippines?” “Marriage is about LOVE, not GENDER”, this is what the gays and lesbians wanted to say. Nowadays, this issue, the same-sex marriage is viral in the whole world. But, what is same-sex marriage? It is defined as a union between two people who are of the same gender or biological sex. Since 2001, ten nations and other jurisdictions have made this type of union legal. Whether or not to recognize such marriages remains a source of debate as far as civil rights, political and social issues go. Introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote (via ballot initiative or referendum). The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political and social issue, and also a religious issue in many countries and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships should be allowed marriage or some similar status (a civil union). Same-sex marriage can provide those in same-sex relationships who pay their taxes with government services and make financial demands on them comparable to those afforded to and required of those in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections such as inheritance and hospital visitation rights. Various faith communities around the world support allowing those of the...
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...Team Debate Paper Stacie Hearne, Manita Johnson, Jessica Lightfoot, and Roy Tucker BCOM/275 October 4, 2012 Kwanis Nelson Debate Team Paper “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Gay marriage has become one of the hottest issues in politics. Supporters of gay marriage have compared their struggle for equality to an era when African- Americans were denied their right to vote, some have even argued that to be denied of your right to marry is also a direct violation of your civil rights. Non supporters of gay marriage beliefs are based more from a religious stand point as well personal values. With homosexuality being seen by a vast majority as being immoral and sinful, the biggest argument to date is that many people feel by allowing gay marriage to take place that this will weaken the institution of marriage and family values. On September 21, 1996 both houses of Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA a federal law which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. This law, signed by then President Bill Clinton denies the rights of same-sex couples to marry. Not only does this law prevent same-sex couples to marry, it also denies these men and women certain monetary benefits such as public employee benefits, social security survivors...
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...Children’s Well-Being? Abraham Bartoah [Institutional Affiliation(s)] Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Gender Abstract The content of this essay is to observe my opinion on fathers and how they impact growth of a child. This essay will note from the text researches conducted on others view on the topic. Also it will explain in detail my thought and opposition I have after reading the text. Are Fathers Necessary for Children’s Well-Being? Since Adam and Eve the idea of there being a mother and father to raise a child has existed. But most certainly since then the world and ways of life have changed drastically. In today society many can argue the importance of having father around to raise a child. It can also be argued that father or no father a child can grow up to just as healthy and able as a child raised with both parents. From personal experience the need of a father in a child growth is not crucial. Being a boy doesn’t mean that only a male can teach you to be a man. There are many aspects to child growth that anyone can provide whether it’s a mother and father, just a father or just a mother. I feel that child growth is more based on the personality and attitudes that that child is surrounded by. According to professor Natasha J. Cabrera and the EHS studies they suggest that a father who has a highs school degree or higher have their children performing better in development. this in my opinion isn’t accurate. The test conducted where only conducted on men who had high school...
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...Within this essay, the main focus will be to develop a thorough analysis and discussion in relation to the topic of gay marriage. In order to construct this, this essay will discuss positions in favor of and against gay marriage. In reference to the position supporting gay marriage, the discussion will focus on; discrimination and equality and respect on individual’s rights. The points that will be discussed contraty to gay marriage will be building upon ideas that we rose in the debate as well as incorporating some new material. Throughout this essay, the ‘for and against’ positions will distinguish between both sides of the argument. Inclusion of scholarly articles will become evident throughout this essay to support the main points that will be made within this argument on gay marriage as well incorporating case studies that support both ‘for and against’ gay marriage. Overall, this essay will display a thorough representation and discussion on how gay marriage can be positioned in society with valid points made both ‘for and against’. Gay marriage has slowly become a significant factor amongst individuals of today’s society. Similarly, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing position of ‘against’ gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of procreation. In reference to this; everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of gender...
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...Within this essay, the main focus will be to develop a thorough analysis and discussion in relation to the topic of gay marriage. In order to construct this, this essay will discuss positions in favor of and against gay marriage. In reference to the position supporting gay marriage, the discussion will focus on; discrimination and equality and respect on individual’s rights. The points that will be discussed contraty to gay marriage will be building upon ideas that we rose in the debate as well as incorporating some new material. Throughout this essay, the ‘for and against’ positions will distinguish between both sides of the argument. Inclusion of scholarly articles will become evident throughout this essay to support the main points that will be made within this argument on gay marriage as well incorporating case studies that support both ‘for and against’ gay marriage. Overall, this essay will display a thorough representation and discussion on how gay marriage can be positioned in society with valid points made both ‘for and against’. Gay marriage has slowly become a significant factor amongst individuals of today’s society. Similarly, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing position of ‘against’ gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of procreation. In reference to this; everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of...
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...Within this essay, the main focus will be to develop a thorough analysis and discussion in relation to the topic of gay marriage. In order to construct this, this essay will discuss positions in favor of and against gay marriage. In reference to the position supporting gay marriage, the discussion will focus on; discrimination and equality and respect on individual’s rights. The points that will be discussed contraty to gay marriage will be building upon ideas that we rose in the debate as well as incorporating some new material. Throughout this essay, the ‘for and against’ positions will distinguish between both sides of the argument. Inclusion of scholarly articles will become evident throughout this essay to support the main points that will be made within this argument on gay marriage as well incorporating case studies that support both ‘for and against’ gay marriage. Overall, this essay will display a thorough representation and discussion on how gay marriage can be positioned in society with valid points made both ‘for and against’. Gay marriage has slowly become a significant factor amongst individuals of today’s society. Similarly, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing position of ‘against’ gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of procreation. In reference to this; everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of...
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...Tantalo Essay 3 Love Transcends Gender Most people believe that they deserve the rights that they are granted by the government. An upstanding citizen who pays their taxes, serves their community and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are consistently denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbian couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens and are held at an unfair disadvantage solely because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must stop because gay and lesbian couples are law-abiding citizens as well, who should be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples. If same-sex couples are paying taxes to build roads and help public schools like the heterosexual couples, they should be afforded the same rights. One common problem that plagues gay and lesbian couples that are denied the right to marry is their inability to claim their partner’s social security after he or she has died. Currently, there are no programs that give homosexuals survivor benefits like the ones that are provided for heterosexuals who are married or divorced. Gay and lesbian partners are not able to claim benefits of their deceased, regardless of the fact that all working citizens, heterosexual or homosexual, pay into the Social Security system for survivor benefits. Sadly, this leaves many gay and lesbian...
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...sure that everyone knows about LGBT but most of people do not really understand the meaning of it. LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. Same - sex marriage has been seen as a sign of Satan. Some people think that it is a disgusting thing and against moral. They make up lots of reason even the nonsensical thing like if homosexuality deserves equal protection, then, logically, deviant practices such as incest or bestiality must be allowed the same equal protection. That is so psychotic. In the past, the LGBT marriage issue is quite sensitive to talk about but nowadays human start to open their heart,...
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...DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN SEXUALITY NaShawn Edwards July 10, 2013 DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN SEXUALITY A young boy sits and watches children playing on the playground, trying to see which activity he wants to engage in. He sees a group of boys playing basketball on one side and down the way he sees a group of girls playing “double dutch” jump rope. Off to the side of them are some boys watching and talking to them, flirting. The young boy decides he wants play jump rope with them. The young man approaches the girls and they invite him to join them. The young man makes his first attempt to jump in the ropes. As soon as he is ready to jump in, he’s pushed from behind. The push is so forceful that he stumbles into the ropes, tangling them around him and falls to the ground, scraping his knee badly. He looks up and sees one of the boys that was watching the girls play jump rope, had pushed him. He started shouting obscenely things at the young boy and soon begin punching hitting and kicking him. The young boy didn’t know what he did wrong and why he was being treated this way. An adult saw what was going on and ran to stop it. He then took the young boy home with the little boy asking “Why?” See the young boy didn’t know that jump rope was known as “femininity”. He was raised to be open-minded and androgynous. The other boy was raised and taught the masculine gender roles and what he is appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Somehow, the other boy felt that the young boy’s behavior...
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...Defense of Marriage Act is Unconstitutional Same-sex marriage should be legal, a federal law and not left to individual states to decide. DOMA, Defense of Marriage Act, should be revoked because it violates the 14th Amendment. When individual states are allowed to act on their own, then it is based on emotional appeal. When it was illegal to enter into an interracial marriage, the whole country was in an uproar about how wrong it was. Each state had their own laws; it was very confusing and complicated. We should never allow this to happen again. Section one of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws (Meese 35). Our country was established with the idea of freedom from religious persecution. Researching all the reasons why same-sex marriage is illegal, I have found that the argument “one man + one woman = marriage” is based upon biblical reasons. The bible has been interpreted many different ways and many religions can’t even agree on what is biblical law. Slaves are common in the bible but we do not obviously...
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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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