Proposition 8
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Proposition 8
Proposition 8 was passed in 2008 and eliminates rights of same-sex couples to marry. The proposition is straightforward and simple and holds that only a union (marriage) is recognized and valid in California. This proposition is about preserving the institution of marriage rather than an attack on the same-sex relationship lifestyle (Rees, 2009). The proposition reinstates the definition of marriage to what a majority of citizens has acknowledged, and human history has comprehended the institution of marriage to be. The proposition protects the nation’s citizens from being taught of different meaning of marriage in the curriculum. Therefore, the main objective and aim of this paper is to describe in details why the position should be supported.
The proposition is essential in protecting marriage as an essential institution of society. While issues such as divorce, death, or other situations may prevent the ideal, the best conditions for children are to be brought up by a married mother and father. Marriage refers to the formal association between a woman and a man as acknowledged by law, by which the two, individuals become husband and wife. This is the typical definition of marriage recognized and approved by most people and institutions across the world (Peoples and Bailey, 2012). The first and an essential function of marriage, which is even recognized in religious teachings of Holy Books including the Bible and the Quran is the continuation of humanity. This implies the ability of men and women to give birth to ensure there are future generations that will also do the same. This is what is taught in such Holy Books that people of different generations believe in. Same-sex marriages and relationships do not enhance continuation in humanity unless the couple adopts children or lives with children from previous heterosexual marriages. However, the couple is not biologically capable of reproduction. Therefore, support of Proposition 8 is not only from a legal standpoint, but also from a religious and moral standpoint.
The institution of marriage between a man and a woman is more reflective than the contemporary could lead us to understand. It is a long-term commitment, which controls self indulgence, self gratification, and self-centeredness. This association effectively conditions and prepares individuals for society. As it restrains self-centeredness and promotes love, it becomes the basis for social order. Therefore, marriage is an essential institution in society. Marriage is a physical, emotional, and spiritual association between one woman and one man. The relationship is emotional in the sense that the male and the female both have distinct attributes come together and assist, nurture, and care for each other. In terms of physical relationship, marriage is procreative. This means that a man and a woman blend together to create what one cannot create on his or her own. These are children, the products of a marriage. Spiritually, individuals are created for this relationship, which puts the interest of the other above self interests (Jackson, 2010). Thus, understanding marriage from this perspective enables individuals to perceive and view marriage as establishing peace and order in society. Marriage in this sense is the cornerstone of social and moral order. In fact, there is no society that can enjoy harmony and peace if they do not follow a true order of morals. The marriage institution offers the only suitable basis for enabling this order. This provides a basis for supporting Proposition 8.
According to Peoples and Bailey (2012), social order in society implies that there are no conflicts in society as a result of unlawful and immoral relationships. A major concern is the fact that where other forms of marriages have been allowed, there are always conflicts that arise due to strong opposition. For instance, there are always demonstrations from religious institutions, individual citizens, and other organizations that are against same-sex marriages and immoral relationships in society. The question of morals, therefore, arises. Although human beings have no right to judge morals as the supernatural beings, they do this based on the teachings of Holy Books that are associated with the supernatural beings. Therefore, their ruling is justifiable. There is nothing better than leading a peaceful life in one’s own society across the world. Another reason that might appear a minor one, but an essential one in supporting only marriage between a man and a woman has to do with sexual satisfaction. Most married men and women find sex emotionally and physically satisfying than couples in same-sex relations and marriages (Peoples and Bailey, 2012). Protecting the marriage institution is, therefore, an essential task in society. This implies that people should not allow issues that might affect the marriage institution to occur at whatever circumstances.
One of issues that harm the institution of marriage is allowing same-sex marriages. Those who support same-sex marriages solely base their arguments on the emotional aspect while the aspects of the natural family and procreation (Jackson, 2010). This is the starting point of the process that undermines marriage and producing harmful effects on children in these families. These harmful effects affect the society as a whole. Marriage as an institution is distinct and unique as it is the only institution which joins men and women together in order to create a family. The family serves wider societal functions. Marriage requires a husband and a wife as the unions are essential in making a new life and connecting children to both their parents. Those that advocate for recognition of same-sex marriages as legal unions argue that this does not affect the traditional marriage. However, this has a variety of negative effects. It is essential to note that same-sex marriages cannot coexist with traditional marriages. It creates conflicts for people in society, either or not they are religious who believe in law and in the traditional man-woman marriage (Jackson, 2010).
Therefore, legalizing same-sex marriages will have negative effects especially on the future generations since they will be taught in schools that marriage under law includes same-sex marriages. This will then result, in an increase in the degradation of the natural and nuclear family (Jackson, 2010). Redefining the marriage institution in society implies redefining family. Altering the concept of family implies altering the pattern and definition of patterning. The growth and stability of future generations will be affected as the type of family influences the psychological and biological ways of children. Additionally, it has been proven that the implausible adaptability of children is made possible by family structures, which facilitate the most positive environments for the future generations (Jackson, 2010). These are the heterosexual marriages that most organizations including the religious ones advocate and fight for in society. All the above discussed reasons form the basis for supporting Proposition 8. There is, therefore, a need to organize, strategize, and prioritize the preservation of the meaning and functions marriage.
References
Jackson, H. R. (2010, September 6). Same-sex marriage will hurt families, society – CNN.com. CNN.com International – Breaking, World, Business, Sports, Entertainment and Video News. Retrieved April 8, 2013, from http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/08/07/jackson.same.sex.marriage/index.html
Peoples, J. G., & Bailey, G. A. (2012). Humanity: An introduction to cultural anthropology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Rees, J. (2009, January 24). Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry – California State Government. Smart Voter by the League of Women Voters. Comprehensive, Nonpartisan Election Information. Retrieved April 8, 2013, from http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/state/prop/8/
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