Gay Marriage

A battle has been in progress for years over whether equal rights and equal protection against discrimination should be extended to homosexuals. Recently this has expanded into the area of marriage. The topic of homosexual marriages is a prevalent issue today. Even in the nation's capital, representatives are finding ways to make this alliance unlawful. This topic has been debated bringing up many valid points, but the fact of the matter is that homosexual marriages are wrong and we, as a country, should not condone such acts.

Marriage is the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family. Although some same sex marriages may be capable of coping financially, the negative influence on children raised in their household has been statistically proven. Not only would same sex families deal with negative connotations in terms of their children, but most religions in North America frown upon the union of same sex relationships and restrict marriage to one man and one woman. Many critics hold opposing views, arguing that same sex marriages harm no one and that to deny them the right to marry is unconstitutional.

First and foremost, we as a society must think of our future when an issue such as homosexuality comes in to play. In no way can one change someone's sexual orientation, but it is proven that homosexuality in the household can be detrimental to a child's upbringing. Debra Busher, an expert on child psychology, says:

"Sexual orientation of a parent is critical to the upbringing of a child. Society is based on the ideal of having heterosexual parents, and it goes against values for same sex parents to raise children. Having homosexual parents is also a major stressor for a child due to society's norms and values. It can cause embarrassment and abnormal feelings. Children who are raised in 'alternative family lifestyles', are more likely to engage in drugs and have negative feelings towards their parents and themselves, than children raised by normal families.?(Qualey)

To allow an act such as homosexual marriages to continue, it displays that we have blatant disrespect for our children's future. To ensure that the United States remains successful, and remains the prominent leader of the world, we must first take care of our children. Banning homosexual marriages can do this; it will lessen the amount of improper behavior our children see and imitate.

Many people believe God created man and woman with the intentions to bear children. In addition, they stress the absence of homosexuality in the Bible. Critics of homosexual marriages regard homosexuality as an abnormal behavior according to the Christian faith, which is the dominant religion in the United States. Homosexuality has been seen as an unacceptable lifestyle and those who practice it are prone to receive criticism if not outright hostility. Most respectable ministers would refuse to marry two people of the same sex, limiting the couple to being married in commercial areas by materialistic preachers. This choice forces many same sex couples to forego legal marriage and recognize their union themselves. Homosexuals pursue their lifestyle and marriage at the risk of being ostracized from the religious community.

Although many profess that homosexual marriages harm no one, this statement is completely false. As stated earlier, homosexual marriages have numerous detrimental effects on children raised in their household. Not only do the aforementioned influences apply, but