Same Sex Marriages

9 Pages 2334 Words

Same Sex Marriages


The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most
significant issues in contemporary American family law. Presently, it is one of
the most vigorously advocated reforms discussed in law reviews, one of the most
explosive political questions facing lawmakers, and one of the most provocative
issues emerging before American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, it
could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of
American family law. The potential consequences, positive or negative, for
children, parents, same-sex couples, families, social structure public health,
and the status of women are enormous. Given the importance of the issue, the
value of comprehensive debate of the reasons for and against legalizing same-sex
marriage should be obvious. Marriage is much more than merely a commitment to
love one another. Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage
entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized
financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse,
including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse's property, as
well as pension and other rights. When two adults desire to "contract" in the
eyes of the law, as well a perhaps promise in the eyes of the Lord and their
friends and family, to be responsible for the obligations of marriage as well as
to enjoy its benefits, should the law prohibit their request merely because they
are of the same gender? I intend to prove that because of Article IV of the
United States Constitution, there is no reason why the federal government nor
any state government should restrict marriage to a predefined heterosexual
relationship.
Marriage has changed throughout the years. In Western law, wives are now
equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely
accepted, both in statute and in society; and m...