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Equality

Why Do Conservatives Disagree on the Topic of Marriage Equality? Essay

November 7, 2021 by Essay Writer

Human beings want the same things in life. Every person wants a prospect for success, healthy kids, and a condition in which no one is suffering. The disagreement is how to realize the objectives. Conservatives and liberals in the United States differ on how to raise a happy family, among other crucial topics. While conservatives oppose attempts to legalize marriage equality, the other class of thought supports it.

Advocates of marriage equality contend that everyone has a right to choose whom to marry irrespective of gender. According to Corvino (2013), as illustrated in his book ‘What’s wrong with homosexuality,’ same sex marriage is becoming popular despite the intensive opposition it faces.

He thinks that the impassioned marriage debate will continue as long as conservatives still hold to their opinion. Americans should reflect on conservatives’ views on morality and values, traditions, holiness, and respect for the marriage institution to make better decisions concerning the topic of marriage equality.

Foremost, conservatives consider that legalizing marriage equality would weaken the meaning and honor of the institution of marriage. People from different cultural, social, and political backgrounds define marriage differently. While in some contexts, marriage is a love covenant; in others, it is a legal set up enabling two or more parties to live together (Corvino 2013). Conservatives do not agree on the latter definition.

They hold that marriage is an honorable institution, and that factors such as the soaring rate of divorce has weakened its meaning and respect.

They say allowing same sex marriage would enable more people to engage in non-serious relationships, refer to them as marriages, and continue weakening the marriage institution (Knight 2013). Therefore, according to Knight, the society should not consider same sex couples as a family, as they cannot perform essential family roles such as procreation.

Additionally, conservatives disagree with liberals indicating that marriage equality cannot preserve family values and traditions. They are of the opinion that legalizing homosexuality would weaken society values that are critical to the community’s existence because the basic units of a society are the traditional man, woman, and children living together as a family (Blechner 2009).

The group is of the opinion that the likelihood of friends and lovers living together separating is high than a family comprising biologically related individuals. This shows that the loss of meaning of the family is the core rationale for the deteriorating society’s traditions and values. If conservatives are accurate, allowing gay family relationships will make the situation worse.

Apart from cultures and values, most conservatives are concerned that marriage is a sacred institution and allowing marriage equality is a sin (Sitman 2013). The religious community, in particular, holds that homosexuality is irreligious However, since almost all regions consider same sex marriage out of place, they think the whole society may support the opinion.

The argument is that since almost all Americans are religious, it is mistaken to bow down and legalize homosexuality. At the same time, conservatives have dismissed allegations that joining marriage is a civil and not a religious right.

The group has argued that the constitution of the United States evolved out of Biblical laws, and the government should implement it appropriately to guide everyone to keep the laws of God. As a result, conservatives believe adopting homosexuality laws is morally and religiously wrong.

Another concept that opponents of marriage equality has brought forward is that the gay lifestyle is a risky one that leads to medical complications. One of the reasons they provide is research findings that indicate gay standards of living reduce life expectancy and may cause mental disorders.

They contend that credible sources indicate that life expectancy of gays is 20 years less than for ordinary people. The findings liken homosexuality lifestyle to that of tobacco smoking (Seba 2011). Due to health problems associated with homosexuality, the opponents of marriage equality think that authorities should not promote it.

Additionally the opponents argue that marriage equality is a slippery slope in the area of legality. They disagree with those who want the society to accept marriage equality on the ground that it does not hurt anyone (Temkar 2013). According to most conservatives, the reasoning could start a series of reactions that might wipe out the need for marriage.

The team says that if people accept the reasoning, it would not be strange for individuals to marry animals, their sisters, parents, or dolls. Conservatives believe that these marriage options may sound absurd, but there are people who would want to associate with them. They think it is not right to suggest that if a person’s decision does not have a direct negative impact, the society should cordon it.

The consequences of accepting homosexuality may haunt the society many years after setting a precedent today. This indicates that conservatives consider homosexuality as intolerable.

Another problem with marriage equality, according to conservatives, is that it could mislead kids regarding their social obligations. Young children who live with homosexual parents would learn that people of a similar gender can pro-create.

Children gain knowledge regarding social expectations from their immediate surroundings. Teaching children regarding the essentiality of family traditions can be impossible when the society subject them to such a confusing environment (Reach and Teach 2013).One of the reasons conservatives oppose same sex relations is the need to take care of children.

Further, the opponents of marriage equality argue that allowing same sex marriage is opening a door for social evils such as prostitution and adultery, as some individuals join same sex marriage for financial, emotional, or social benefits (Masten & Schmidtberger 2011). There are people who seek same sex partners to acquire material wealth, but have no interest taking care of their families.

As a result, they engage in risky sexual behaviors, which often lead to acquiring diseases and health conditions such as HIV/AIDS and syphilis. Apart from the health risks, homosexuals cannot bear children. Conservatives argue that these individuals need to have children, and since they cannot afford, they engage in child trafficking. This may cause them to encounter legal problems they would otherwise have avoided.

Finally, conservatives do not oppose the need to raise healthy children, lead happy lives, and respect human rights. They want the society to be mindful of long-term consequences of allowing same sex marriages.

This group disagrees with those who hold to the opinion that everyone has t a right to act, as they would wish provided the action does not directly hurt other members of the society. Obviously, liberals refer to human rights as the reason for supporting marriage equality. Conservatives, on the other hand, mention the need to take care of the younger generation.

Reference List

Blechner, M. 2009, Sex changes transformations in society and psychoanalysis, Routledge, New York.

Corvino, J. 2013, What’s wrong with homosexuality?, NY: Oxford University Press, New York.

Knight, W. 2013, Marriage was weakened in countries that legalized same-sex marriage | Wintery Knight. Wintery Knight | …integrating Christian faith and knowledge in the public square. Web.

Masten, J. & Schmidtberger, J. 2011, Aging with HIV a gay man’s guide, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Reach and Teach – Operation Marriage – Marriage Equality through the Eyes of Children, 2013, Reach and Teach – the peace and social justice learning company. Web.

Seba, J. 2011, Being gay, staying healthy, Mason Crest Publishers, Broomall, Pa.

Sitman, M. 2013, The latest conservative defector on same-sex marriage, The Dish. Web.

Temkar, A. 2013, Supreme Court Ruling Strikes Down DOMA, Weakens Prop. 8; Legalized Gay Marriage in California Likely. – Monterey County Weekly: 0627. Monterey County Weekly. Web.

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