Same Sex Marriages should not be Legal

Is same-sex marriage right? There are many controversial viewpoints regarding same-sex marriage. While some individuals believe that it is not traditional or “normal,” there is an array of folks who advocate for same-sex marriage, asserting that love should be fluid and without societal constraints. Even though these proponents believe in a blind love free from prejudice, they recognize that some societal norms lean more towards traditional couplings of a woman and a man. The main argument against same-sex marriage is that such couples can’t naturally produce offspring.

While optioms like surrogacy or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are often explored, critics argue that children ought to grow up with their biological parents. Additionally, from a religious perspective, same-sex marriage could contradict various faiths’ beliefs. Analysts have suggested that same-sex parenting could also cause confusion or social and emotional challenges for a child, potentially leading to gender or sexual disorders [Judith,Stacey]. Consequently, some argue that same-sex marriage should not be legal.

The primary argument involves children needing their biological parents. For same-sex couples, surrogacy or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) becomes the choice for parenthood [Kyle,Pruett]. A study by the Yale Child Study Center revealed that children conceived through IVF often have a lot of questions about their biological parents that could lead to feelings of sadness and abandonment [Kyle,Pruett]. Critics argue that every child has a fundamental connection with its mother from infancy and can intuitively recognize when their biological mother is not present. The central idea behind a traditional marriage, they argue, is to start a family naturally without need for external medical help. Therefore, critics believe same-sex marriage should not exist if the involved entities can’t produce children naturally.

Another bone of contention is adoption by same-sex couples. Even though it provides homes to children who are desperately in need of families, critics argue that these children ought to be raised in traditional mother-father households. The reality of being raised by a same-sex couple, as opposed to the expectations of a conventional family, could potentially lead to social and emotional challenges for the child in the future. These problems could escalate when the child starts attending school; potentially feeling left out upon observing their peers’ traditional families. A study conducted by the University of Texas revealed that “young-adult children (ages 18-39) of parents with same-sex partnerships before the children reached 18 were more likely to confront a variety of emotional and social problems.” This can potentially confuse the child as they grow, presenting them with further challenges when relating to their same-sex parents.

Many children may feel as though bringing home a partner of the opposite sex is an affront to their same-sex parents. These children might even fear rejection from their partner due to their parents’ sexual orientation, even if that fear is unwarranted. It might also compel them to hesitate in discussing their questions and concerns with their parents, akin to how a child might struggle to come out as gay or bisexual to their heterosexual parents. While this issue may not be prevalent among all children of same-sex parents, it does affect a substantial proportion. A 2013 study revealed that children of married, opposite-sex parents have higher graduation rates compared to other groups. Conversely, children of lesbian couples had notably lower graduation rates. This suggests the potential for academic or personality issues to develop in these children. The study also found that sons of lesbian mothers are typically less masculine, while the daughters are more masculine^{[Judith, Stacey and Timothy Biblarz]}. This could indicate that having same-sex parents may negatively impact children in some cases.

Another point of contention is the assertion that all children need both a mother and a father. Heather Berwick, a woman raised by a lesbian couple, has openly discussed how the absence of a father figure negatively affected her upbringing. Each parent plays a distinctive role: a mother is often the one providing emotional nourishment and reassurance, while a father usually offers structure and discipline. This dual input is vital for robust childhood development and the acquisition of life skills. When children have two mothers or two fathers, they may miss out on the unique influences of either a mother or a father. If same-sex marriage becomes more prevalent, which could lead to a surge in the number of children being raised without a father, as the number of lesbian couples would likely rise. There are several studies suggesting that same-sex marriages are less successful than opposite-sex marriages. Additionally, a father’s presence in a household often provides a sense of security for children. Intriguingly, research has shown that girls who grow up without a biological father tend to reach puberty earlier and have higher rates of teen pregnancy. Therefore, these findings suggest that same-sex marriages could potentially cause complications for children.

The third argument against same-sex marriages suggests that such unions oppose the word of God and contravene the beliefs of several religious groups[Should gay…]. Christians believe that marriage should be oriented solely towards producing and raising children[Should gay…]. Throughout scripture, it has been stated, “it is clear that marriage is a lifelong, exclusive, covenantal union of two people- a husband and a wife- which forms the foundation for family”[Keaton, Halley]. Many believe that God created man and woman to procreate and populate the earth, not for male-and-male or female-and-female combinations. In the Bible, it states, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination”; thus condemning homosexual relationships. In Islam, passages condemn gay and lesbian relationships; one saying being, ‘When a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes'[Keaton]. Not only do Christianity and Islam oppose same-sex relationships, but two orthodox Jewish groups, the Orthodox Agudath Israel of America and the Orthodox Union, are also against gay marriage. Some people also argue that their tax money should not be used towards something they don’t believe in. Peter S. Spring posits that, if gay marriage was legalized, taxpayers, consumers, and businesses would be forced to subsidize homosexual relationships. Some suggest the government only legalized marriage to financially benefit federal, state, and local governments, thereby just boosting the economy. They assert that gay marriage was not legalized because it is morally right but because of the monetary benefits associated with it[Should gay…].

In conclusion, gay marriage should not be made legal in the United States. The first reason being every child needs their biological parents. However, if they are in a foster home, they should ideally be placed in a traditional mother and father household. Same-sex couples should not resort to surrogate mothers or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Opposite-sex couples can produce a child naturally, which speaks volumes about the normative order. Artificial or surgical means to have children oppose natural laws. Same-sex marriages can cause social and emotional problems in children. It can lead to confusion regarding what is right and wrong when it comes to selecting their partners as they grow older. The uncertainty experienced by a homosexual person revealing their sexuality to their heterosexual parents could be the same for children with same-sex parents, just vice versa. The second reason against same-sex relationships is that children need one mother and one father, not two mothers or two fathers. Every child should be raised in a traditional opposite-sex parent home. Both parents collectively lend something integral to every child’s development: a mother, emotional support, and a father, protection and discipline, which are essential. The final argument insists that it contradicts several religious groups’ beliefs. Numerous passages in religious texts stand against same-sex relations. Therefore, same-sex marriages should not be legalized in the United States due to the social and emotional problems they can induce in children, the necessity for children to have their biological parents, and the contravention of several religious groups’ doctrines.

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