Term Paper on "Identify Gay Marriage Use Sociological Perspectives"

Term Paper 7 pages (2489 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

gay marriage and use sociological perspectives to describe how it might be explained. Gay marriage or "same-sex marriage" has received much news coverage lately because some states in the United States have allowed gay marriages to take place, while others have banned this type of marriage. Gay marriage is a contentious issue that has sociological and societal implications for Americans and for the world.

Homosexuality and lesbianism are still quite misunderstood by many members of modern society. Many people believe that same-sex relationships are created only by choice on the part of the partners, but many gay people say they have no "choice" in their sexuality - they were born that way and cannot change to conform to what society believes is normal. Gays and lesbians enjoy sexual and non-sexual relationships with the same sex, and have little interest in sexual relationships with members of the opposite sex. Most gay and lesbian people agree that they have little choice in their sexual preferences, and most note that they first noticed their homosexual tendencies when they were children. Thus, most experts agree that homosexuality is not a lifestyle that is chosen, but rather it is a lifestyle that is part of the person's physical and mental makeup.

Gay marriage or same-sex marriage is the joining of two homosexual or lesbian individuals in a committed relationship or "family." With the prevalence of HIV and AIDS, especially in the sexually active gay community, gays find the need to settle down in committed relationships with another individual to ensure they do not contract one of these diseases. Many gays also want to raise families, and want to be in a committed relationship to do this. Sociologically, the family unit has traditionally consisted of a male, female, and children, along with an extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. However, in reality, the traditional family has changed in modern society. Many parents are divorced and raising children alone, or living in committed but unmarried relationships. In addition, many gay couples long to raise children, and many adoption agencies will only allow married couples to adopt. Therefore, more gay couples are opting for legal and binding marriages for a variety of reasons. Some states, such as Massachusetts, have adopted less stringent marriage laws that allow gays to marry in their state. The gay marriage debate was a central issue in the 2004 Presidential campaign, and is still an important issue today. As more people admit to the world they are gay or lesbian, and the fear of HIV and AIDS continues to grow, it seems certain that more same-sex couples will seek marriage. One expert writes of gay families, "What unifies such families is their need to contend with the particular array of psychic, social, legal, practical, and even physical challenges to their very existence that institutionalized hostility to homosexuality produces" (Stacey, 1998, p. 118). They seek the relationships as a way to not only show their commitment but also as an attempt to "fit in" to modern society, raise families, and generally fit the model of the "ideal" family, even if the "mom" and "dad" are two moms or two dads.

Sociologically, the idea of gay and lesbian marriage does not fit into most social models of family and commitment. However, many same-sex partners are already in long-term, committed relationships, and only want to legalize the unions for the security of health and societal benefits, such as health insurance for a partner, or a greater acceptance of their commitment by family and friends. Marriage has always signified a lifelong commitment, and this is the same with gay marriages, the partners want to be committed for life. Most homosexuals agree that their committed relationships closely mirror traditional marriages in almost all respects, except the sexuality of the partners. This is why so many gay couples want to marry. They have the same desire to live together in a partnership and heterosexual couples, they just happen to be homosexual rather than heterosexual. They have the same desire to create a committed and loving long-term relationship, and they have the same desire to create a home and share all the responsibilities that insinuates.

In American society, there are many benefits to marriage, rather than living together, and this is another way society gently nudges couples toward long-term commitment. Married couples enjoy spousal health and life insurance benefits, are seen as more stable in the community, and are able to raise families or adopt usually without question. They are also seen as religiously "correct," and since many religions do not accept homosexuality, married couples are seen as "normal," while unmarried couples are seen as living in sin or worse. Married couples enjoy respect and many societal and economic benefits, while unmarried couples do not. This is another reason many same-sex partners want to marry. They are in committed relationships, and want to enjoy the same benefits as other married partners enjoy, from health insurance to the ability to adopt and raise their own children.

As more couples attempt to justify and legalize their unions, the contention between traditionalists and thinkers that are more liberal becomes more pronounced. Several states passed anti-gay marriage laws during the November 2004 elections but studies have indicated that more young people are at home with allowing same-sex marriage. One study shows, "Another telling survey result involved the percentage of people who said they had a close friend or relative who was gay. Around 40% of respondents said this was the case, and Powell thinks this number would have been around 20% 10 years ago" (Powell, 2004). People who have a friend or relative who is gay tend to be more understanding of same-sex marriage, and so, the future may hold a more liberal and sympathetic attitude toward these unions.

Sociologically, it is easy to see why many parts of society would not openly accept gay marriage. Most churches argue strongly against homosexuality, and believe that it is a choice, and homosexuals can "choose" to fit back into mainstream society. One father of a gay Mormon son was forced to admit, "The Mormon Church's position is not reconcilable with the reality of the lives of gay people,' Gary explains. 'They say a high majority of gay people choose to be gay, and they can change through conversion therapy. That means there is no place in the Mormon Church for gay people'" (Woog, 1999, p. 86). He noted this after his son was excommunicated from the church after "coming out" (admitting he was gay) to his trusted bishop and friend. In fact, this idea of "choice" has a long history. As recently as the 1950s, many homosexuals faced psychological treatment and therapy in an attempt to get them to conform to normal or regular society. Homosexuality was seen as a mental issue, rather than a physical issue and many gays were given shock therapy in an attempt to convert them to heterosexuality. One expert notes, "Even as the concept of homosexuality as a literal disease (i.e., a mental disorder) waned, a concept of homosexuality as a figurative disease (i.e., a disfavored social condition that was contagious) remained" (Yoshino, 2002). Thus, experts began to realize that homosexuality was not a mental disorder, but that is still was a "societal disorder," and homosexuals did not belong in normal, everyday society.

There is another sociological problem facing many gay couples. This is the idea that if they do not "come out," then all will be well, and they will have a place in normal society. This is the way the American military deals with homosexuality. They turn their back on it. As long as American soldiers do not openly admit they are gay, they can serve in the military. However, if they "come out," then the military dismisses them from their duties. This not only encourages covert homosexual behavior, it encourages the idea that homosexuals must be ashamed of their sexuality and cover it up in normal society. Many experts have examined this pattern of "covering" as they call it. For many Americans, it is the only way they will recognize gays as a part of American life. As long as gays do not openly admit what most people suspect, they will be allowed to exist in normal society without retribution. However, if they no longer cover up their activities, they may be subject to a variety of subtle and not so subtle societal punishments. One expert writes,

In 1990, a lesbian lawyer named Robin Shahar was fired from her job at the Georgia Attorney General's Office. Her employer emphasized that he had not fired Shahar for being a homosexual or for saying she was a homosexual, but for flaunting her homosexuality by engaging in a same-sex commitment ceremony. Thus Shahar was terminated not for failing to convert or to pass, but for failing to cover (Yoshino, 2002).

This incident is neither unusual nor isolated. Even today, many homosexuals face censure by employers, family, and friends if… READ MORE

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