Synthesis of Sources
Same-sex marriage remains at the center of the debate, particularly from conservatives who argue that it differs from Christianity’s religious beliefs. However, same-sex supporters understand the importance of inclusion in employment, education, and politics of same-sex married couples regardless of their sexuality. As a result, a debate has developed about a same-sex marriage where everyone had his/her view about their existence and continued growth. This paper thus works to evaluate conservatives’ distinct feedback concerning same-sex marriage from six different scholarly articles.
Many conservatives believe that the incidences of same-sex marriage in America have continued to rise since the first incident occurred because of several reasons, among them being that since African American support for same-sex marriage is based on a religious affiliation basis, few African American non-affiliates also support same-sex marriage (Sherkat et al. 2010, P.16). The article argues that homosexuality is difficult, particularly in African American culture, because of their conservative Christianity. As a result, more whites support same-sex marriage than blacks. Contrary to what Sherkat says, Avery believes that the increase is caused by a gradual increase in the percentage of people who favor some legalization of same-gender couples (Avery et al. 2007. P.76). He moves on to of the percentage change period between 2000 and 2004, where the percentage of those who favor same-gender couples rose by 7 percent.
While, in most cases, only single reasons are given for the increase in same-sex marriage instances, several reasons may also cause an increase. Zheng and Chan’s article state that there are three reasons why same-sex marriage has changed. One of the reasons is the use of “human right” to support same-sex marriage by comparing it with exercising their civil rights of entitlement, as mentioned earlier in the 1950 movement. The second reason is the “access to benefits,” where newspapers argue that same-sex couples should access heterosexual couples access. The third reason is “public support,” where newspapers argue that many people in America have accepted gay and lesbianism (Zheng & Chan 2020, P.4).
Not only can the rise of same-sex marriages be explained by individual action but also by the government’s actions. Baunach &Mitchel stated that same-sex marriage incidences increases due to approval over same-sex marriage from 2004 to 2010 compared to how they were in 1988 (Baunach &Mitchel, 2012, P. 375). As a result, the article argues that more incidences of same-sex marriage attitudes, which were to be liberalized because of advances in the secularism of societal have eventually stopped. Besides, Margaret and Katherine state that same-sex marriage incidences have increased because of change in gay rights in the past years following the war between believers and religious rights, especially in their focus on the so-called Evangelical Identity Crisis article (Margaret &Katherine 2006). They illustrate this through pastor Adam Hamilton from Kansas, who was heard to support the war when he stated that he could not see Jesus standing with signs in the anti-gay rally.
Some instances of same-sex marriage may rise because people support the activity. Lewis’ article gives his opinion about the cause of the increase as being the rise in support of same-sex marriage by the government and people in California, arguing that the support for same-gender marriage has increased with the change in demographics and attitude (Lewis et al., 2008 P. 21).
Not only did conservative debate about the increase in same-sex marriage incidences but also debated on the slow growth of same-sex marriages. According to Sherkat, their conservative views have gradually changed from stating that same-sex marriage is based on religious affiliation to stating that commitments to religious roles have greatly determined who opposes lesbians and gays’ marital rights (Sherkat et al. 2010, P.16). Reasons for religious commitment result from the fact that those who differed in giving marital rights for gay and lesbian stated that the union differs from Christianity’s teachings. As a result, issues of same-sex marriage have slowly continued to change. Besides, Avery argues that same-sex marriage has been increasing slowly because of the gradual increase in the percentage of people who favor legalization of same-sex marriage to stating that same-sex marriage has not gained popularity in America because most Americans support the civil union, and only a few support same-sex marriage (Avery et al. 2007, 76). The articles state that perhaps most Americans believe that marriage is a “holy union” that should not be allowed for same-sex couples.
Some incidences of same-sex marriage arise from several chained reasons. Zheng & Chan stated that same-sex marriage growth is slow because of the idea of three reasons for same-sex marriage increase to stating other reasons that have led to same-sex marriage change being minimal amongst the Judeo- Christian communities. One of the reasons was the protection of traditional marriage by arguing that children deserve to have a father and mother. The articles stated that the second reason was “public objection,” where most Judeo- Christianity societies heavily rejected same-sex marriage. The third reason is that those in power had to oppose same-sex marriage to secure their votes from their people as the largest number of people opposed gay and lesbianism (Zheng & Chan, 2020, P.4).
Many of the same sex-marriages have been facilitated not by individuals but by the government’s set of rules. Baunach & Mitchel’s views say same-sex marriage has grown because of approval over same-sex marriage since 2004 to stating that both political parties and religiosity have opposed same-sex marriage attitudes, making same-gender marriage growth slow since 1988. The authors argue that same-sex marriage has been politicized, which might have caused low cases of same-gender marriages today. For instance, Republicans have been recently seen aligning to oppose same-sex marriage (Baunach &Mitchel, 2012. P,376). Besides, Margaret and Katherine state that same sex marriage has been changing because of war between believers and religious rights, stating that same-gender marriage has been increasing slowly over the past years because of the gradual increase in individuals’ knowledge in the gay community (Margaret &Katherine 2006). They argue that records say this number increased from 22% in 1985 to 56% in 2000. Besides, the shift in discourse may have resulted from normalizing effects that used to be there on the population from legal victories.
Not only has the instance of same-sex marriage grown because of a belief by individuals but because of their individual support as well. Lewis adds his opinion to the debate by saying that three factors explain same-sex marriage growth and not the rise in support of same-sex marriage. These factors are the democrats and liberals who are more likely to accept it than republicans and conservatives. Another pattern is between religious identification and intensity, where religious groups accept same-sex marriage more than Protestants. The other pattern Asian-Americans, Latinos, and whites, where more whites support same-sex marriage than the others (Lewis et al. 2008. P.23).
In conclusion, the topic of same-sex marriage, which has been a debatable issue in the US, has gotten several opinions from different conservatives on why it is increasing and slowly. Different conservatives had different opinions concerning the incident of same-sex marriages. For instance, Sherkat and colleagues say that same-sex marriage incidences have increased over the past years because, adding to the large number of whites who support same-gender marriage, African American non-affiliates also support same-sex marriage. Besides, the authors’ views have changed from stating that same-sex marriage is based on religious affiliation to stating that commitments to religious roles have greatly determined who opposes lesbians and gays’ marital rights when discussing the reason for a slow change in incidences of same-sex in marriage. How this paper investigates scholarly feedback about same-sex marriage analyzing different authors’ inputs is clear and easier to understand, especially on what the author initially thought was the cause and how his/her opinions have changed in response to the slow change in same-sex marriage incidences.
References
Avery, A., Chase, J., Johansson, L., Litvak, S., Montero, D., & Wydra, M. (2007). America’s changing attitudes toward homosexuality, civil unions, and same-gender marriage: 1977–2004. Social work, 52(1), 71-79.
Baunach, D. M. (2012). Changing same-sex marriage attitudes in America from 1988 through 2010. Public Opinion Quarterly, 76(2), 364-378.
Crehan, M. G., & Rickenbacker, K. (2006). 2007.“. The Changing Debate on Same-Sex Marriage in the United States.” Michigan Feminist Studies Fall, Spring, 20(1), 1-17.
Lewis, G. B., & Gossett, C. W. (2008). Changing public opinion on same‐sex marriage: the case of California. Politics & Policy, 36(1), 4-30.
Sherkat, D. E., De Vries, K. M., & Creek, S. (2010). Race, religion, and opposition to same‐sex marriage. Social Science Quarterly, 91(1), 80-98.
Zheng, Y., & Chan, L. S. (2020). Framing same-sex marriage in US liberal and conservative newspapers from 2004 to 2016: Changes in issue attributes, organizing themes, and story tones. The Social Science Journal, 1-13.