Psychology assignment essay on: The advantages and disadvantages of gay marriage
Torki Almutairi
TSS individual research assignment
Gay marriage is also termed as same-sex marriage, according to which two persons of same biological sex or gender identity get married to each other. The topic gay marriage has been selected for the discussion of this essay because it is a current issue taking place in many countries. Gay marriage is not only a religious or social issue but also a political and civil-right issue in many countries. Therefore, a debate always goes on whether marriage of same-sex persons should be allowed or not or they would be holding a different status in the society. In contrast, many studies and surveys conducted in different nations have demonstrated that people who are youth and better-educated are in favor of gay marriage and therefore support the legislation of gay marriage rather than the people who are less-educated or from older generation. Moreover, Census also has presented that support for same sex-marriages is rising across different religions, ethnicities, races, ages and socio-economic statuses (Kostigen, 2009).
Advantages:
Furthermore, there are too many pros and cons of gay marriage. In simple words, it can be said that there are economic, financial and other advantages and disadvantages of same sex-marriage. First talking about advantages, Marriage between persons of same biological –sex can help local and state governments gaining more financially. Gay marriage decreases the extra cost that can be used for benefits programs at state level. In this regard, New York City’s comptroller estimated and articulated that if gay marriage is legalized, it can contribute around $142 million to the economy of city and around $184 million to the state’s economy. On the other hand, there are so many children who are waiting to be adopted by someone and it can be made possible in case of same sex-marriage, as they go to adopt children easily. One of the studies conducted in July 2010 delineated that gay fathers’ children have same lifestyle, status and are well-adjusted as those children adopted by heterosexual parents (Halverson, 2012).
(Source: Saad, 2008)
Additionally, it has been researched and proved that marriage provides both physical and psychological health benefits to people and on the other hand, one of the recent researches has illustrated that refusing the couples to allow for gay marriage has resulted in unsafe psychological/mental effects. In addition, many of the psychological and psychiatric associations of America have suggested allowing the same sex-couple to marry which can give them proper access to the support from society (Australian marriage equality, 2010). Similarly, the major cases of divorce, abortions and increasing rate of population can be found less in case of gay marriage. For support, many examples can be presented in this view. For an instance, Massachusetts had shown the lowest rate of divorce in 2008 after gay marriage was legalized there first in 2004. Alternatively, Alaska and other seven states those had prohibited gay marriage constitutionally shown more than 17% increase in divorce rates (Stevenson & Wolfers, 2012).
Disadvantages:
However, gay lifestyle is not something that is encouraged in many countries or nations, but gay marriage persuades people to have their family values and beliefs and therefore also give up sexual lifestyles which could lead to high level of risk. Likewise, the disadvantages of gay marriage can also be described in detail. Firstly, disadvantages have been explored from economy’s point of view of a nation. A guy couple gets less compensation package, when fringe benefits are added to it, rather than a married couple of man and woman. And, they have also to pay income tax on the employer’s benefit value to gay partner, which is normally avoided by a spouse. When, one gay partner dies, the other one has to prove the ownership of each and every household item or they can face a problem of tax bill and even entire loss of those items to family of the partner (Ellis, 2009).
Furthermore, homosexuality or gay marriage is considered a sin in many religious nations and therefore gay couples and their marriage is not accepted by the societies or nation. Somehow, gay marriage lessens the characterization and respect for actual marriage concepts and institutions. Apart from this, gay marriage or relationship between same sex-persons deteriorates the traditional family values in society. Next, the marriage of gay couples may lead to a slippery slope in marriage legalization which may create the issues of having multiple wives. In addition to it, this creates confusion among children about gender roles and their expectations of the society. Other disadvantages of gay marriage can be lower expectancy of life, mental disorders, etc. In many countries, there is a prohibition for gay couples to adopt children and become foster parents. In contrast, some fringe benefits and basic rights such as family health benefits, taxation, hospital visitation and other inheritance rights are not provided to gay couples. The next and major disadvantage of gay marriage is rise in children of same-sex households, which is not a good environment for increasing children because children need both a mother and a father (Marriage equality New York, n.d).
Additionally, having a family member who is being treated differently by the community or society makes a negative impact on that family as a whole. Besides, reduction in the values such as equality, a sense of belongings, self-respect, recognition, etc can also have an adverse effect on the family. One of its disadvantages of gay marriage may also have an impact on their adopted children as they may be subjected to hate for having same-sex parents. Moreover, it will lead to a radical change in the societies and countries at a large. Finally, it can also be said that government do not accept gay marriages in many countries because they have an interest in safeguarding the status quo of the nation (Stacey & Biblarz, 2001).
Conclusion:
On the basis of an overall discussion made on gay marriage, it can be summarized that marriage between same sex persons is generally not accepted in some nations and has not been legalized yet. On the other hand, some benefits have been presented in favor of gay marriage on account of its acceptance in the society. In contrast, essay has presented a graph for recognizing its acceptance or non-acceptance in east, west, south and Midwest nations. The paper described that gay marriage has become a lifestyle which is accepted at some places on the basis of strong evidences. If this marriage is denied and refused, it is considered as minority discrimination. Gay marriage helps declining divorce rates, abortion rates, etc in the society at large and where it is prohibited or not accepted, higher divorce rates have been noticed. New York Times also stated that gay marriage can benefit the economy and contributes to it in creating job and in other supports. The licenses coming from gay marriages add to the revenue of a nation’s economy. Next, it provides access to the social support and if avoided can result in dangerous psychological effects.
On the other hand, it has many disadvantages, as it not accepted by the society easily. Gay marriage changes the meaning and respect for marriage’s actual and accepted context. Besides, it weakens the traditional values of the families and affects their status and role’s expectations in the community as a whole. Therefore, it can be said that on an average, gay marriage has got about 42% among the countries.
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