Minji Kim
Professor
Anth 121AW
L.A. Times Editorial
Should same-sex marriage couple be permitted to adopt children or not.
Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage but No Adoption?
Same-sex marriage is one of the biggest social issues in American society, and the
adoption of children by same-sex couples are an especially sensitive issue and over which is
much debate nationwide. Same-sex marriage has been legalized since 2015, showing that
many people less likely to condemn homosexual relationships than in the past. Since
adopting children is considered a legitimate family function of a marriage couple, thus right
should be extended to same-sex couples.
My definition of marriage is a male and female fell in love, living together, have their
baby and raising their children. My understanding of marriage came from a culture, family,
school and community. Everyone has their own differing perspectives that most likely has
been derived from each individual anthropological background. Thus, Americans may have
various perspectives of married homosexual families and same-sex marriage. However,
everyone is different and people should learn how to accept their differences. Same-sex
couples are considered as different in social norm, but that does not mean they are wrong.
There are some debates among the issues in permitting same-sex couples to adopt
children. American society is not ready to accept and understand the adoption of children to
same-sex marriage couples. There is a
Same-sex marriage or more formally known as gay marriage, is the marriage between two people of the same sex. In Australia it’s illegal, marriage in Australia is “the voluntary union, entered into for life, of one man and one women to the exclusion of all others” (Marriage Act 1961). In some states in the USA it is legal for example Colorado, California and New York. In Australia same-sex couples have no access to marriage, civil unions or other federal relationship registration. Same sex couples can be recognised as de facto couples. Same-sex couples are prevented from marrying by the amendments to the Marriage Act 1961, passed in 2004 by the Howard Government, Labor party. However same-sex couples who are married in countries where same-sex is legal cannot divorce within Australia due to the same-sex marriage ban. At the federal level, in 2008 and 2009, there was a wide-ranging suite of reforms to provide equal entitlements and responsibilities for same-sex couples, This includes social security, employment, taxation and superannuation. Tony Abbott has traditionally opposed same-sex marriage, and in 2012 parliament had debates on the same-sex marriage bills, in the election campaign, Abbott reaffirmed that he would not support legislation to allow gay marraige.
The definition of marriage is the legally recognized union of two individuals. For many people that is the only definition. However, to others it means so much more than that. Marriage is not for the weak, it is not for people who are selfish and people who do not want to work at it. Marriage is being there for each other and being selfless for the other person. For those people who feel that it is much more than just a legal representation. They feel that two individuals coming together for life is more than a piece of paper. It is two individuals blending their lives together forever.
In conclusion, the augment for gay adoption is far stronger and far better supported than those opposed. One must admit that sexual orientation is fundamentally irrelevant to a person’s capacity to be a good parent. The opposition to gay and lesbian adoption has failed to support its
Mary Anne Fitzpatrick is the developer of the three original types of marriage. The three types include; Traditional marriage, Independent marriage, and Separate Marriage. When she was studying, she noticed that not every couple was the same, and that age played a factor in it as well when it came to categorizing couples in what type of marriage they are. “Couples can be differentiated on the basis of their “independence,” the extent to which they share their feelings with one another. Some couples are highly interdependent, depending on their partners for comfort, expressions of love, and fun. Other couples are more reserved and do not depend on their partners for emotional sharing and support,”(345). This shows Fitzpatrick’s theory of different types of marriage is true and each couple is different form another and that they should be put into different categories and not just one.
Attention getter: Discrimination against gay men and lesbian women has been socially recognized for hundreds of years and still continues today. Homosexuals have adopted children for many years, regardless of fear and prejudice. The controversy of this matter is why homosexuals are not presented the equal fairness of the process and open opportunity as heterosexual couples who seek to adopt or foster children. There is a certain extent to which the sexual orientation of couples (or single potential parents) seeking to adopt children impede on the opportunity to provide children with a permanent and stable home.
The unjust and prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex is discriminating; according to the Oxford dictionary. This term does not empower them, but instead make people feel powerless. Same-sex couples in particular, who are looking to adopt, feel unequal to their heterosexual associates. In relation to adoption, there shouldn’t be preference to heterosexual couples over same-sex couples. Adoption typically is not an easy process, but when it comes to people of the same sex trying to adopt, what seems to be as simple as to buying a puppy, is very intimidating and discouraging. The laws that govern these decisions do not help at all. The inconsistency amongst all of the states in America makes the process even more challenging, to the point where couples give up. Same-sex couples who are fortunate enough to be allowed by the courts to adopt, are still being judgmental. The judgments are based on their parenting abilities and the effects their lifestyle they live, whether it will have a negative backlash on the children. The intention of my analysis on same-sex adoption is to examine some of the bifurcation and the challenges that these individuals encounter while trying to legally adopt a child.
Since the 1990’s approximately 8-10 million children in the US alone are raised in a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT) household. Same-Sex Adoption is controversial because many people throughout the world are against LGBT adoption; but when faced with the number of kids who pray everyday for someone out there wanting to be the parent of a foster child, it is difficult to understand why the topic of gay adoption is controversial. Yes, there can be a bad outcome but there can also be a very good outcome of these kinds of adoptions. The LGBT Adoption situation can be fixed by allowing any adult or parent to adopt a child if they have the right living environment or the knowledge and skills that it takes to raise a kid in the proper way. But social workers have reservations on considering gay adoptive parents because they are fearful of how the parents will treat and raise the children and how they will grow up feeling. People who oppose same sex marriage, including U.S. elected officials, have argued that a child raised by a LGBT parent will need additional emotional support or will face social challenges compared to children with heterosexual parents (Borreli). Although many people believe that LGBT parents shouldn’t be allowed to adopt because it affects the child, LGBT parents should be allowed to adopt because many kids need a place to call home or someone they can call family, they need someone in a similar situation that they can talk
According to Robinson, couples prefer to simply live together without ceremony or state license. Robinson also includes this type of relationship between couples are also referred to as “common-law marriage.” Today, it is common to find more couples living together as if they are married. Since 2001, the number of couples living together without the traditional ceremonial traditions by law has risen throughout the states (Slater). This type of marriage can become challenging because the commitment to one another is tested in more ways than one. Robinson explains how this type of marriage is also one that is “…an informal arrangement which may be temporary or permanent.” Marriage used to come before purchasing a house or having children however theses life changing moments are becoming the foundation of a marriage (Cherlin, 139). In doing so, couples living together and supporting one another as if they are indeed married in front of friends and family, has become a more common practice in
There are an estimated 500,000 children in foster care nationwide, and 100,000 of these children are awaiting adoption. In 2013, only one child of every six available for adoption was actually adopted. (Sanchez, 13) These statistics show how important it is for children to be adopted to a loving family no matter what the sexual preference of the parents is. However, it has become an issue and/or an obstacle for same sex partners to adopt in many states. This has been a controversial topic that while some believe that homosexuals should have the right to adopt like any other married couple or single person while others believe it should be banned. Homosexuality is being more accepted and integrated into today’s society but seems to be an issue
Gay marriage has in recent times seen a growing number of supporters. With this comes parenting and the urge to start a family but, as everyone knows a gay couple cannot get a biological child from both of the parents. This complication leads to many couples turning to adoption as a solution. Gays like everyone else are just as capable of taking care of a child if not more.
The topic of minority and lower class adoptions have caused uprooted debates here in the United States. Nicolas Park an adoption consultant believes most Americans have a positive view of adoption, yet they will never consider it in their lifetimes (611). Ali Suki a professor who studies transracial adoption, says that in past years the senate has announced plans to reform adoption to remove discriminatory barriers from the adoption process (67). Michael Cobb a published speaker believes the biggest barrier that exists is the disapproval of LGBT adoptions (200). Fiona Mcllwaine a social worker in international adoptions says that the
In the past few years, the United States has matured to be more accepting towards its gay and lesbian citizens. The LGBT community slowly becoming represented in society, and gay marriage was recently declared a Constitutionally-guaranteed right in all 50 states. However, there are still many challenges to overcome before equality is guaranteed for all. One of the important rights that gay and lesbian couples have yet to fully attain is the opportunity to apply for an adoption without experiencing harsh criticism from adoption agencies and agency officials, along with encountering the clashing morals from a majority of society. The discrimination faced by homosexual couples in the adoption process is unjust, and the United States should recognize
Homosexual people have faced many trials and tribulations in pursuit of living a normal and happy life. There are many controversial events and topics that are barriers blocking complete happiness. Although those barriers are in place, the people in the LGBT subculture seem to making the best of every situation. Fighting for their rights and changing laws to protect them are paving the way for a brighter future. In hopes of being normal, many same-sex couples want to have a family and for some the only option is adoption. Well, same-sex adoption is not legal in most places which makes this dream for some impossible. This caused controversy between same-sex couples and the general public who believes that same-sex adoption should remain
“Prior to several rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States, adoption laws varied widely by state. Some states granted full adoption rights to same-sex couples, while others banned it entirely or only allowed the partner in a same-sex relationship to adopt the biological child of the other partner.The free encyclopedia”
Gay and lesbian couples experience unique challenges from the very beginning of the family planning process, unlike many heterosexual families. Given that same sex couples are not able to conceive a child together biologically, they must explore other options. For couples that choose to adopt, there is a lengthy process involved with becoming a parent. Same sex couples wishing to adopt often face increased controversy and discrimination, as well as a more in-depth examination before being able to adopt than heterosexual parents. (Golombok, et al., 2014). For these reasons, many parents feel discouraged and lose hope that they may ever get the chance to adopt a child.