Madame Bovary

The argument of same-sex marriage is significant, not only for the religious and legal precedent, but more importantly for the welfare of families, especially children whom now and in the future may be profoundly affected by the legalizing of homosexual marriage.

Marriage is a unique practice, in that it is both a religious sacrament and legal registration controlled by the state. Throughout human history, according to religious tradition and as a matter of natural law, marriage has been tied to potential procreative sexuality, which is a monopoly held by heterosexual couples.

The suggestion that the state has no real interest in marriage is a stunning repudiation of the unique contributions of heterosexual marriage to society, to the state, and to the individual--and particularly to children. The marriage of a man and woman has long been favored because it provides the most favorable setting in which to conceive and raise children. "Child development is skewed, scarred or retarded when a father or mother is absent in the household" (Fein). Children, moreover, are the most numerous (and most innocent) victims of the current cultural disintegration of marriage. Indeed, the impoverishment of children has been shown to be a direct

. . .

View the whole essay, without interruption

If marriage is redefined to include two men in love what about a man in love with two women, his daughter or an animal? The homosexual community says that "homosexuality is a 'state' while polygamy, incest, and bestiality are merely 'activities' " (Sullivan p. Accordingly, the demand for legal recognition of same-sex marriage is not a mere plea for tolerance, but a demand that society confers upon that relationship an exceptionally preferred status. If John and Jim love each other, why is this an expression of some kind of existential state, while if John and Jim and Jack all love each other, this is a mere activity?" (Krauthammer p. This relationship is a vital part in the process of growing to feel complete and secure as males and females. To halt this trend the law should clearly and unequivocally convey the message that the best interest of a child demands both a mother and a father. In short, equal status for same-sex couples is not supported by evidence of equal contributions to society. They have no right to insist that we surrender our fundamental moral and religious beliefs in order that they might feel comfortable with their sexual behavior. Marriage is the oldest equal-rights institution officially recognized in law.

All children long to connect emotionally with their parents, especially their same-sex parent. Same-sex unions simply do not make comparable contributions to social order, to community and personal health and welfare, to private and public economy, to social morality, and especially to children. But permitting gay to marry would further chip away at the original intent of the institution. result of changed in family structure that have undermined and destabilized marriage over the past three decades. The government has a duty to protect that foundation, therefore, the State should not legitimize homosexual relationships by legalizing same-sex marriage but should continue to reserve the special sanction of civil marriage for one man and one woman as husband and wife.

Approximate Word count = 979
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.