12/2/2010
Sociology Final Paper
Marriage and Family The simplest and most basic foundation of a sociological civilization or group begins at the core center of sociology; which is marriage and the inner-fabric creation of a family. It is said that matches are made in heaven, however finding and defining your “soul mate” differs from one social group to the next. The social institution of marriage changes and adapts consistently through time, religious practice, and national beliefs. Many people believe they lead happy and satisfying lives without a marital partner, as others highly value and desire a life-long marital partner as the pinnacle achievement of their life. The uniqueness of marriage is that every race, class,
People hold that verse close because “family and religion are, for most people, the first institutions encountered in life (Anderson, Taylor: 312)”. Bitter conflicts are created concerning the traditional fabric of marriage and religion. The increasing visibility of gay and lesbian households challenges our traditional and biblical understanding of marriage. The bible writes “You shall not lie with a male as you lie with a female (Leviticus 18:22)”. The United States Constitution does not acknowledge gay and lesbian marriages as a legal civil union. Much debate has formed over the last couple years into 2010 regarding whether or not to honor and acknowledge the marriages of gay and lesbians, while some states, including Massachusetts, legalized it. 58 percent of Americans are against these marriages as only 39 percent (whom are mostly younger people) are in favor of the union (Moore and Carroll 2004). Certain countries fully allow gay/lesbian marriage such as Belgium, Spain, Canada, and South Africa {and several others}. The debate whether to legalize same-sex marriages extends to the question of whether children adopted by a gay/lesbian couple are better off than in an orphanage or alone. The children of such a couple will most probably be brought up in a loving and caring family. Although children are typically easily influenced, virtually they will choose on their own whether they choose to live a