Until recently, if the definition of a
family were to be questioned, one would most likely respond that a family is a
man and a woman living together with their children, or something to that
effect. However, this definition does
not hold much weight in our modern society.
Due completely to the rise in same sex marriages, the definition of a
family has come to take on many different forms. The term “family” used to be accompanied by a
rigid set of standards and customs, but now, the very notion of same sex
marriages are threatening to wipe out the foundational lines of marriage. This argument is one that
has been heavily disputed, and like every argument, there are two sides; the
one that believes same sex marriage is an abomination to the constitution of
marriage, and the other that holds fast to the belief that we can only benefit
from extending marital rights to gay citizens.
However, before I continue, I want to state that while I do not
acquiesce to the constitution of same sex marriages, I absolutely don’t believe
gays should be ostracized or ridiculed for their standpoint on this subject; I
only disagree with the notion of same sex marriages. Furthermore, I believe that marriage is a
sacred institution between a man and a woman, and I have several reasons to
explain the foundation of my belief.
Though it is a very common argument when
debating this subject, the belief that gay marriages greatly weakens the
definition and respect for the institution of marriage is a principle that
should not be taken lightly. Marriage
has always been—and should always be—a ceremony that joins together one man and
one woman. When a same sex marriage
takes place, it greatly abates the integrity and morality of a ritual that is
not only a sacred ceremony but is also critical to the prosperity of our
traditional family values that are essential to our society. For example, men and woman have extremely
different personalities, traits, and roles they play in a marriage and a
family, and when this delicate balance is disrupted, it can have a tremendous affects
on the children involved.
It is true that some couples will never
have children, whether by choice or other complications, but nonetheless, there
is an understood expectation of procreation closely linked to marriage, and
that is one reason why different gender roles are so vital in a marriage. If our country continued to condone same sex
marriages, it would succeed in further weakening tradition family values by
greatly affecting the children that are directly and indirectly involved in
these relationships. Children that are
brought into the circle of gay couples would certainly grow confused about
gender roles and expectations that are constantly being confronted and
challenged. For example, men and women
play entirely different roles in marriage that are essential to the prosperity
and health of their children, and without this distinction, the children could
be negatively affected. Without a doubt,
a certain custom and tradition has been deeply rooted into our society, and if
we further question these values, we could quite possibly loose sight of
marriage in the traditional sense, and in the process, we could hurt and
inflict serious consequences upon the innocent children involved.
Lastly, if we were to completely allow the
legalization of gay marriage, would we then be satisfied? Possibly, but possibly not. If we continue to encourage this kind of
lifestyle, we could very well fall into a trend of altering and morphing the
legality of marriage. In addition, we
must ask ourselves what type of effects this would have on our sense of
marriage. Suppose people were to get
married to someone who they planned to live with for a while, simply to enjoy
the legal benefits. Once this has been
done, why not allow polygamy and polyandry?
Should we then discriminate these groups, if living together and a
mutual fondness of each other are the only requirements? I strongly believe that is we continue to
morph and alter the legality of marriage, we will not be wholly satisfied. Polygamy and polyandry could follow, and
soon, monogamy could be a thing of the past.
In summary, I do
not acquiesce to the notion of same sex marriage. Moreover, I believe if we
wholly condone gay marriage, it will certainly not be the end, and in the
process, we will manage to misinform and mislead the children involved in these
relationships, but most importantly, we will heavily damage the very
constitution of marriage.
